alhamdulillāh. we discussed this recently in umdatul ahkam, and i've been itching to write about it...
itching to write about how the value of an act of worship is sometimes measured by the virtue Allah has placed in it, not the effort you exert, not the amount of time you spend doing it.
the Prophet ﷺ was never more particular about observing any voluntary prayer than he was about the two rak‘ahs before Fajr, as reported by our mother, Aa'ishah (may Allāh be pleased with her)
he would not neglect it, whether he was at home or travelling. in another narration recorded by Muslim, the Prophet ﷺ said:
“the two rak‘ahs of Fajr are better than the world and everything in it.”
there are other narrations concerning the significance of this prayer, but i will limit it to what's stated above from the sahihayn. better than the world and everything in it, from the beginning to the end. and it is sometimes called ar-raghībah, a name reflecting its special merit and the encouragement to observe it.
think of everything we spend our lives pursuing: wealth, possessions, opportunities, recognition, comfort... all of it, from the beginning of this world until its end, is outweighed by the reward of two rak‘ahs offered sincerely before Fajr.
finally, the Prophet ﷺ would observe this prayer at home before going to the Masjid, so it is recommended to observe it in your house. like other nawaafil. and he kept his recitation in it very brief, as reported by Aa'ishah, Abu Hurayrah and Ibn Abbās.
may Allāh make it easy for us!