Tahajjud Prayer

Tahajjud, or the night prayer, holds a significant position in Islam, standing out as one of the most virtuous and spiritually uplifting voluntary prayers. It is a prayer that requires sacrifice, discipline, and love for Allah (SWT) and is emphasized in both the Qur’an and the Hadith. Tahajjud is an act of worship that was obligatory upon the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) and highly recommended for his followers.

What is Tahajjud Namaz?

Tahajjud is a voluntary prayer that is performed after one has slept for a portion of the night. It falls under the broader category of night prayers (Qiyam ul-Lail), but it specifically refers to the prayer offered in the last third of the night, after waking from sleep.

The word “Tahajjud” comes from the Arabic root “hajada,” which means to give up sleep. This is significant because it implies the sacrifice of sleep for the sake of worshiping Allah. The Qur’an highlights the importance of Tahajjud for achieving closeness to Allah:

“Indeed, the righteous will be among gardens and springs, accepting what their Lord has given them. Indeed, they were before that doers of good; they used to sleep but little of the night.” (Surah Adh-Dhariyat, 51:15-17)

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) regularly performed Tahajjud and encouraged his companions to do so as well. It was a key part of his worship, and he regarded it as a means of drawing nearer to Allah.

Tahajjud Time

The time for Tahajjud prayer begins after the obligatory Isha prayer and lasts until the time for Fajr (dawn) prayer. More specifically, it is best to pray Tahajjud in the last third of the night, as this time is most blessed. The night is divided into three parts, and the last portion of the night is when Allah (SWT) descends to the lowest heaven, offering His mercy and forgiveness.

Allah says in the Qur’an:

“And from part of the night, pray with it as an additional prayer for you; it is expected that your Lord will resurrect you to a praised station.” (Surah Al-Isra, 17:79)

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) also emphasized the importance of this time:

“Our Lord descends to the lowest heaven when one-third of the night remains and says: ‘Who will call upon Me that I may answer him? Who will ask of Me that I may give him? Who will seek My forgiveness that I may forgive him?’” (Sahih Bukhari, Sahih Muslim)

The last third of the night is calculated by dividing the time between sunset and Fajr into three equal parts. For instance, if the sun sets at 7:00 PM and Fajr begins at 5:00 AM, the last third of the night would be between approximately 2:00 AM and 5:00 AM.

Tahajjud Dua

Tahajjud is a time when the believer’s supplications are most likely to be accepted. The best dua to make during Tahajjud is one that comes from the heart. However, several specific supplications have been narrated in the Sunnah.

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) used to recite the following dua after rising for Tahajjud:

“O Allah! To You belongs all praise, You are the Sustainer of the heavens and the earth and whatever is in them. To You belongs all praise; You are the Light of the heavens and the earth and whatever is in them. To You belongs all praise; You are the Truth. Your promise is true, Your word is true, the meeting with You is true, Paradise is true, Hellfire is true, the Prophets are true, Muhammad (peace be upon him) is true, and the Hour is true…” (Sahih Bukhari)

This dua emphasizes gratitude, the reality of Allah’s promises, and the hope for His mercy and forgiveness.

Tahajjud Ki Namaz Ka Tarika (Method of Praying Tahajjud)

The method of praying Tahajjud is similar to other prayers, but there are a few unique aspects:

• Niyyah (Intention): Begin by making the intention in your heart to offer the Tahajjud prayer for the sake of Allah alone.
• Qiyam (Standing): Stand and recite Surah Al-Fatihah, followed by another Surah or verses from the Qur’an in each unit of prayer (rakat).
• Ruku and Sujud (Bowing and Prostration): As in the other Salah, perform Ruku (bowing) and Sujud (prostration) with humility, praising Allah with glorifications like “Subhana Rabbi Al-Azeem” and “Subhana Rabbi Al-Ala.”
• Tashahhud and Salam: If you pray more than two rakats, complete the Tashahhud (sitting and reciting) and give Salam after every two rakats, as is the Sunnah.

How to Pray Tahajjud?

To pray Tahajjud, follow these steps:

1. Purify Yourself: Start by making Wudu (ablution), as one must be in a state of purity to offer any Salah.
2. Set Your Intention: Make a sincere intention in your heart to offer Tahajjud for the sake of seeking Allah’s pleasure and mercy.
3. Choose a Time: Ideally, wake up in the last third of the night, but you can also pray after Isha if waking up later is difficult.
4. Begin with Two Rakats: Like other prayers, begin with two rakats of Salah, reciting Surah Al-Fatihah followed by any portion of the Qur’an. You can then offer more rakats, usually in pairs of two.
5. Recite a Dua after the Prayer: Following the prayer, spend time in supplication (dua), asking for Allah’s forgiveness, guidance, and blessings.
6. Seek Forgiveness and Repentance: The time of Tahajjud is an excellent opportunity to ask for forgiveness. The Prophet (peace be upon him) emphasized the importance of making sincere dua during this time.

How Many Rakats in Tahajjud

There is no fixed number of rakats for Tahajjud, and it can range from two to as many as one is able to perform. The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) sometimes prayed 11 or 13 rakats, including Witr (the odd-numbered prayer). However, he also taught that it is not necessary to burden oneself and that the quality of the prayer matters more than the quantity.

The Prophet said:

“The prayer of the night is two by two (rakats), and when you feel that dawn is approaching, pray one rakat to make the number odd (Witr).” (Sahih Bukhari, Sahih Muslim)

Thus, it is recommended to pray in sets of two rakats and then finish with a single rakat of Witr. If one prays four, six, or even more rakats, that is permissible.

Can I Pray Tahajjud Without Sleeping?

One of the most frequently asked questions is whether Tahajjud can be performed without sleeping. According to the majority of scholars, it is preferred to sleep before offering Tahajjud, as this was the practice of the Prophet (peace be upon him). However, if one stays awake throughout the night and prays, the prayer is still considered valid and will be rewarded, though it may not carry the full distinction of being called Tahajjud.

The important point is the sincerity and devotion with which the prayer is offered. If sleep is not possible or feasible, one can still offer the night prayer (Qiyam ul-Lail), and it will be accepted by Allah (SWT).

Tahajjud prayer mentions in the Quran

وَمِنَ اللَّيْلِ فَتَهَجَّدْ بِهِ نَافِلَةً لَّكَ عَسَى أَن يَبْعَثَكَ رَبُّكَ مَقَامًا مَّحْمُودًا

And during a part of the night, pray Tahajjud beyond what is incumbent on you; maybe your Rabb will raise you to a position of great glory. 17:79

 تَتَجَافَى جُنُوبُهُمْ عَنِ الْمَضَاجِعِ يَدْعُونَ رَبَّهُمْ خَوْفًا وَطَمَعًا وَمِمَّا رَزَقْنَاهُمْ يُنفِقُونَ فَلاَ تَعْلَمُ نَفْسٌ مَّا أُخْفِيَ لَهُم مِّن قُرَّةِ أَعْيُنٍ جَزَاءً بِمَا آَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ

Their sides draw away from (their) beds, they call upon their Rabb in fear and in hope, and they spend (benevolently) out of what We have given them So no soul knows what is hidden for them of that which will refresh the eyes; a reward for what they did. 32: 16-17

 آَانُوا قَلِيلاً مِّنَ اللَّيْلِ مَا يَهْجَعُونَ وَبِالْأَسْحَارِ هُمْ يَسْتَغْفِرُونَ

They used to sleep but little in the night. And in the early part of the morning they asked forgiveness. (51: 16-17)

 وَمِنَ اللَّيْلِ فَسَبِّحْهُ وَإِدْبَارَ النُّجُومِ

And in the night, give Him glory too, and at the setting of the stars 52:49

 إِنَّ نَاشِئَةَ اللَّيْلِ هِيَ أَشَدُّ وَطْءًا وَأَقْوَمُ قِيلاً

Surely the rising by night is the firmest way to tread and the best corrective of speech. 73:6

وَمِنَ اللَّيْلِ فَاسْجُدْ لَهُ وَسَبِّحْهُ لَيْلًا طَوِيلاً

And during part of the night adore Him, and give glory to Him for a long (part of the) night 76:2

Also, read Amana Rasul Surah Al Baqrah last 2 Aayats