What is Tahajjud Prayer?
The Tahajjud prayer is a special night prayer in Islam that you can pray after the Isha prayer and before Fajr. While it is not obligatory, it is highly recommended for anyone who wants to get closer to Allah (SWT) and make their faith stronger. The word Tahajjud means “to give up sleep,” which shows how much dedication it takes to wake up at night to pray when everyone else is sleeping.
This prayer is known as the best kind of Nafl (voluntary) prayer that you can do at night. It’s also called Qiyam ul Layl. When you pray Tahajjud, it feels like having a private talk with Allah (SWT), where you can ask for forgiveness, guidance, and blessings.
As the saying goes,
“If you want something in your life, and you are not praying Tahajjud for it, do you even want it enough?”
This means that when you really want something, waking up to perform Tahajjud salah shows how serious and sincere you are about asking Allah (SWT) for help.
Importance of Tahajjud Prayer
The Salatul Layl holds a special place in Islam, as it shows how much a person truly wants to connect with Allah (SWT).
Allah Almighty says in the Quran, Surah Al-Isra :
Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah’s Messenger (SAW) said,
Our Lord, the Blessed, the Superior, comes every night down on the nearest Heaven to us when the last third of the night remains, saying: “Is there anyone to invoke Me, so that I may respond to invocation? Is there anyone to ask Me, so that I may grant him his request? Is there anyone seeking My forgiveness, so that I may forgive him?“
Sahih al-Bukhari: 1145
These words show how valuable Tahajjud is because it’s a time when Allah (SWT) is closest to us, waiting to answer our prayers. If there’s something you really want, praying Tahajjud is one of the best ways to ask for it. It also helps you become stronger by building your willpower and discipline, as you wake up during the quiet part of the night, just to talk to Allah (SWT).
When to Perform Tahajjud Prayer
One of the most frequently asked questions is: When is the best time to pray Tahajjud?
The best time to perform Tahajjud salah is during the last third of the night. This time is significant as we have seen in the above-mentioned hadith that Allah (SWT) descends to the lowest heaven and asks if there is anyone to ask Him.
How to Calculate the Last Third of the Night:
- Start by determining the time from Maghrib (sunset) to Fajr (dawn).
- Divide this duration into three equal parts.
- The last third of the night is the final portion before Fajr.
For example, if Maghrib is at 6:00 PM and Fajr is at 5:00 AM, the last third would be roughly from 2:00 AM to 5:00 AM. However, you can also pray Tahajjud anytime after Isha up until Fajr if waking up in the last third of the night is difficult.
How to Pray Tahajjud Prayer
Here’s a simple, step-by-step guide on how to perform Tahajjud prayer:
- Preparation: Wake up during the last part of the night. Ensure that you are in a state of wudhu (ablution) to cleanse yourself for prayer.
- Niyyah (Intention): Set your intention in your heart to pray the Tahajjud prayer sincerely for the sake of Allah (SWT). While there is no fixed verbal niyyah, you can silently say:
“I intend to pray the Sunnah prayer of Tahajjud two rakaat for Allah (SWT).” - Takbir and Recitation: Begin your prayer with the Takbir, saying “Allahu Akbar” (Allah is the Greatest). In the first rakah, recite Surah Al-Fatihah followed by another surah, such as Surah Al-Kafirun. In the second rakah, recite Surah Al-Fatihah followed by a surah like Surah Al-Ikhlas.
- Ruku and Sujud: Perform the bowing (Ruku) and prostration (Sujud) positions as in your regular daily prayers, saying the prescribed supplications.
- Complete the Rakats: After completing two rakats, you can repeat the process for additional rakats, as long as you do them in pairs. Conclude your Tahajjud prayer by reciting the final Tashahhud and saying the Taslim (salam to the right and left).
How to Pray Tahajjud and Witr Together
One of the common queries is how to pray Witr after Tahajjud:
- Pray your Tahajjud first, performing as many rak’ahs as you like in pairs (2, 4, 6, or more).
- End your night prayers with Witr, which is usually one or three rak’ahs. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) emphasized ending the night prayer with an odd number of rak’ahs.
Can You Perform Witr Before Tahajjud?
Yes. If you are unsure whether you will wake up for Tahajjud, you can pray Witr after Isha Namaz.
However, if you do wake up for Tahajjud later, you do not need to repeat Witr. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, “Make Witr the last prayer of your night” (Sahih al-Bukhari).
Duas After Tahajjud Prayer
One of the most rewarding aspects of Tahajjud is making dua after completing your prayer. Here are some important duas you can recite:
Translation: “O Allah, I ask You by Your mercy that envelops everything, to forgive me.”
When the Prophet (PBUH) got up at night to offer the Tahajjud prayer, he used to say:
You can also make personal supplications, asking for forgiveness, guidance, or anything that weighs on your heart. This is a prime time for acceptance of dua.
Benefits of Tahajjud Prayer
Salatul Layl offers numerous benefits, both spiritually and mentally:
- Deepens Connection with Allah (SWT): The quiet hours of the night provide a unique opportunity for focused worship and personal reflection.
- Increased Forgiveness and Blessings: Praying during the last third of the night when Allah’s mercy is at its peak brings increased chances of receiving His blessings.
- Dua Acceptance: We have a firm belief that any dua made during Tahajjud namaz has a higher chance of being accepted.
- Develops Discipline: Waking up regularly for Tahajjud builds discipline and willpower, which positively impacts other areas of life.
- Spiritual Peace: Consistently performing Tahajjud salaah brings inner peace and clarity of mind.
How to Start Praying Tahajjud
To start praying Tahajjud regularly:
- Begin with just two rakats and increase as you grow accustomed.
- Set an alarm and place it near your bed to ensure you wake up.
- Make your niyat (intention) clear before sleeping.
Common Questions about Tahajjad Salah
Qiyam-ul-Layl refers to any prayer performed after Isha and before Fajr, including Tahajjud. However, Tahajjud specifically means waking up after sleeping to pray. All Tahajjud prayers are part of Qiyam-ul-Layl, but not all Qiyam-ul-Layl prayers are Tahajjud.
There is no fixed number of rakats for Tahajjud. You can pray a minimum of 2 rakats and add more in pairs. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is known to have prayed between 2 and 8 rakats, depending on his strength and ability.
While Tahajjud traditionally involves waking up after a period of sleep, you can still perform Qiyam-ul-Layl without sleeping if you prefer. However, it is best to rest for a short while before waking up to pray Tahajjud.
The best time to pray Tahajjud is during the last third of the night, which is the period just before Fajr. This is considered the most blessed time, as Allah (SWT) descends to the lowest heaven and listens to the prayers of His worshippers.
Tahajjud is considered a Nafl (voluntary) prayer. While it is not obligatory (Fard) or classified as Sunnah Mu’akkadah (emphasized Sunnah), it is highly recommended (Mustahabb) because of its benefits and the practice of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), who would frequently pray Tahajjud. Observing it brings immense spiritual rewards, but it is not required.
You can recite any Surah after Surah Al-Fatihah in each rakah of Tahajjud. The Prophet (PBUH) often recited Surah Al-Kafirun in the first rakah and Surah Al-Ikhlas in the second, but it is flexible, and you can choose other Surahs as well.
Women are excused from performing prayers, including Tahajjud, during menstruation. However, they can still make dua, engage in dhikr (remembrance of Allah), and recite Quranic verses from memory.
The Tahajjud prayer niyat is a sincere intention to perform the salah for Allah’s sake. You do not need to say it out loud; it is enough to have the intention in your heart. For example:
“I intend to pray Tahajjud two rak’ahs for the pleasure of Allah (SWT).”
The sincerity of your intention matters more than the specific words used.
Conclusion
Tahajjud prayer (Salatul Layl) is a special opportunity for Muslims to connect deeply with Allah (SWT), seek forgiveness, and reflect on their faith. This night prayer offers flexibility in terms of rakats, with no strict number required. Through this prayer, believers find peace, inner strength, and solutions to life’s challenges. Whether you are just starting your journey with Tahajjud or are an experienced practitioner, every moment spent in prayer brings immense rewards.
So, will you stay asleep or rise for the Tahajjud prayer? Share this article with your friends and inspire them to experience the beauty of this night prayer.
