Tahajjud is a voluntary night prayer offered after sleeping, in the window between Isha and Fajr. Sleeping first is what distinguishes it from Qiyam ul Layl, the broader term for any night worship. It is also written as tahajjud namaz or Salatul Layl.
Quick answer: Tahajjud is at least two rakats, prayed in pairs at any point between Isha and Fajr, with the last third of the night the best time. Make wudu, hold the intention in your heart, recite Al-Fatihah and another surah in each rakat, and end with salam. Then make dua, and close your night prayers with Witr.
The intention needs no spoken words and no Arabic formula. That is the question most readers arrive with, so it is answered in full further down, including what the four schools say about saying anything aloud.
Tahajjud is not obligatory. The Prophet (SAW) prayed it regularly and encouraged it, and the sections below give the narration behind each step.
What is Tahajjud Prayer?
Tahajjud is the best known of the Nafl (voluntary) prayers offered at night. The word comes from a root that carries the sense of waking after sleep, which is why the prayer is defined by the sleep that precedes it rather than simply by the hour.
That detail decides what you are doing. Sleep after Isha and then rise to pray, and that is Tahajjud. Stay awake and pray late without sleeping, and you are still praying at night and it is still rewarded, but the precise term is Qiyam ul Layl. Status: differs by school. The Shafi’i school treats waking from sleep, even a short nap, as part of what the word means; some scholars do not make it a strict condition.
Praying at night is also one of the clearest ways of building taqwa, because nobody sees it and nothing compels you to do it.
Tahajjud Prayer in the Quran and Hadith
The Quran addresses the night prayer directly in Surah Al-Isra.
Translation: And rise at ˹the last˺ part of the night, offering additional prayers, so your Lord may raise you to a station of praise.
The Quran also describes the people who keep this habit. In Surah Adh-Dhariyat 51:17 to 18 they are praised for sleeping little at night and seeking forgiveness before dawn.
The Prophet (SAW) gave the format of the night prayer in a single sentence. Abdullah bin Umar (RA) reported that a man asked him how the night prayer is prayed, and he answered:
Two rakat followed by two rakat and so on, and when you apprehend the approaching dawn, offer one rakah as witr.
Sahih al-Bukhari 1137. Narration grade: Sahih.
A second narration describes the time rather than the format. Abu Huraira (RA) reported that the Prophet (SAW) said that in the last third of the night Allah invites those who are awake to ask of Him, to seek forgiveness and to call upon Him, and that He responds (Sahih al-Bukhari 1145). Narration grade: Sahih. This is the reason the last third is treated as the best part of the night for prayer and supplication.
Tahajjud vs Qiyam ul Layl vs Witr
Readers often mix up these three terms because all of them describe worship at night. Each one has its own meaning.
| Tahajjud | Qiyam ul Layl | Witr | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meaning | A voluntary night prayer, offered after some sleep. | Any standing prayer at night, including Tahajjud and Taraweeh. | The closing prayer of the night, with an odd number of rakats. |
| Timing | Between Isha and Fajr, best in the last third of the night. | Between Isha and Fajr. | From after Isha until Fajr, ideally as the final prayer. |
| Ruling | Voluntary (nafl), strongly encouraged. | Voluntary (nafl), open to any amount of night worship. | Sunnah for most scholars, wajib in the Hanafi school. |
Every Tahajjud counts as Qiyam ul Layl, yet not every Qiyam ul Layl counts as Tahajjud. Taraweeh in Ramadan, for example, falls under Qiyam ul Layl.
When to Perform Tahajjud Prayer
The window opens once you have prayed Isha and closes at the start of Fajr. Within that window, the last third of the night is the best time, on the strength of the narration above (Sahih al-Bukhari 1145). Status: recommended practice, not obligatory.
If you cannot manage the last third, pray in whatever part of the night you can. A prayer offered at midnight is worth more than one you intended to offer at four and slept through. The Prophet (SAW) prayed in different parts of the night at different times, and there is no narration making the last third a condition.
How to Calculate the Last Third of the Night
Many readers ask when the last third of the night actually begins. The Islamic night runs from Maghrib to Fajr, so follow these four steps:
- Find today’s Maghrib time and tomorrow’s Fajr time in your local prayer timetable.
- Subtract Maghrib from Fajr to get the total length of the night.
- Divide that length by three.
- Subtract one third from the Fajr time. The result marks the start of the last third.
Example: Maghrib falls at 6:00 PM and Fajr at 5:00 AM. The night lasts 11 hours, and one third equals 3 hours and 40 minutes. The last third therefore begins at 1:20 AM.
Prayer times shift every day, so recalculate whenever the seasons change. Fajr times also vary with the calculation method, so use the timetable your own mosque or local authority follows rather than mixing sources. In places at high latitude, where summer nights are very short or twilight does not end, ask your local authority which timings to use.
Tahajjud Prayer Niyyah
The niyyah for Tahajjud is the intention in your heart to pray it for Allah. No spoken words are needed. All four Sunni schools agree that the intention is an act of the heart and that a prayer is invalid without it. Knowing, as you say the opening takbir, that you are praying two rakats of Tahajjud is a complete and valid intention.
Status: agreed by all four schools. Al-Nawawi records the consensus of the jurists that the intention is in the heart. He also notes that if someone says one thing with the tongue while intending another in the heart, the heart is what counts.
So there is nothing to memorise here. If you woke up, made wudu and stood to pray two rakats of Tahajjud, you have already made the intention. Many readers worry that they have got this wrong, and that worry is itself the thing to let go of: a sincere intention is a state of mind, not a formula to be recited correctly.
Is there an Arabic niyyah for Tahajjud?
No Arabic wording for the Tahajjud intention is narrated from the Prophet (SAW). This is worth stating plainly, because a search for “tahajjud niyat in arabic” will return any number of Arabic formulas presented as the intention for this prayer.
Those formulas come from later fiqh manuals and local teaching custom, not from hadith. The best known begins Nawaytu an usalli, “I intend to pray”, and continues with the name of the prayer and the number of rakats. Ibn Abi al-‘Izz al-Hanafi records that none of the four Imams held that a Muslim must articulate the intention at all, and that the practice was attributed to Imam al-Shafi’i by some later scholars who had misread him.
Two practical conclusions follow. Nothing is wrong with you if you do not know an Arabic formula, because there is none to know. And if someone has taught you one, you are not doing anything wrong by saying it either, within the limits the next section sets out. What you should not do is treat the words as the thing that makes the prayer count. The heart does that.
Saying the intention aloud: what the four schools say
Whether to put the intention into words, quietly or aloud, is a question the four schools answer differently. The disagreement is not about whether the heart’s intention is required, which is agreed, but about whether speaking adds anything.
| School | Position on saying the intention |
|---|---|
| Hanafi | Not required. The heart is sufficient. Saying it is permitted for someone whose heart is unsettled by doubt, and some Hanafi scholars treat the habit itself as a later practice. |
| Maliki | Permitted by some. Al-Tunisi al-Maliki held that since the intention lies in the heart, articulating it is a later practice. |
| Shafi’i | Recommended (mandub) before the takbir, as an aid to the heart. Al-Nawawi gives the reason in al-Majmu’: it helps someone troubled by waswasah, intrusive doubt about whether the intention was made. |
| Hanbali | Treated as sunnah by some later scholars. Ibn Taymiyyah held that it is a later practice and not from the Prophet (SAW). |
Status: differs by school. Follow the school you follow. If you have been taught to say the intention, you are following a recognised position; if you have been taught to keep it silent, so are you. This is the kind of difference the schools have lived with for centuries, and it does not affect whether your prayer is valid.
One thing is agreed on all sides: nobody holds that you must say anything, and nobody holds that a prayer is invalid because you said nothing.
How Many Rakats Are in Tahajjud Prayer?
Tahajjud has no fixed number of rakats, and two rakats suffice. You can pray more whenever you feel able, but always complete them in pairs. Status: agreed by all four schools. Nothing in the sources specifies a number for voluntary night prayer, which is why a person may lengthen the recitation and pray fewer rakats, or shorten it and pray more.
The narrated figures are worth knowing, because they explain the different numbers you will see quoted.
| Number | What the narration says | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Eleven | Aisha (RA) said the Messenger of Allah (SAW) did not exceed eleven rakats, in Ramadan or outside it. | Sahih al-Bukhari 1147; Sahih Muslim 738 |
| Seven, nine or eleven | Masruq asked Aisha (RA) about his night prayer and she gave these numbers, besides the two rakats of Fajr. | Reported from Aisha (RA) |
| Thirteen | Thirteen rakats of night prayer, counting Witr and the two Sunnah rakats before Fajr. | Reported from Aisha (RA) |
The figures fit together once you see what each one counts. The core night prayer is eleven, including Witr. Thirteen is the same night with the two rakats before Fajr added. So the Prophet (SAW) prayed between seven and thirteen rakats at night depending on the night, with eleven the figure Aisha (RA) described as his habit. Narration grade: Sahih.
A note on the upper limit. Most scholars hold that no maximum is fixed, so a person may pray more than eleven if they wish. Some contemporary scholars read Aisha’s narration as setting a ceiling. Both positions are argued from the same hadith, and for a reader starting out the question is academic: two rakats, prayed consistently, is where to begin.
How to Perform Tahajjud Prayer Step by Step
The method is the ordinary method of a two-rakat prayer, and it is the same across the four schools. There is no special movement, no extra takbir and nothing to recite that belongs only to Tahajjud.
- Preparation. Wake during the night, ideally in the last third. Make sure you are in a state of wudu.
- Intention. Know in your heart that you are praying two rakats of Tahajjud for Allah. Nothing needs to be said aloud, as set out above.
- Takbir and recitation. Begin with the takbir, saying “Allahu Akbar”. In the first rakat recite Surah Al-Fatihah followed by another surah, for example Surah Al-Kafirun. In the second rakat recite Al-Fatihah followed by a surah such as Surah Al-Ikhlas.
- Ruku and sujud. Bow and prostrate as you do in your regular daily prayers, saying the usual words in each position.
- Complete the rakats. After two rakats, repeat for as many more as you wish, always in pairs. Finish with the final tashahhud and the taslim, the salam to the right and the left.
- Then make dua. Stay where you are and ask. This is the part of the night the narration above describes.
What to Recite in Tahajjud Prayer
After Al-Fatihah, recite any surah you know. The Prophet (SAW) often prayed very long recitations at night. Hudhayfah (RA) reported that he once recited Al-Baqarah, An-Nisa and Al-Imran in a single night prayer (Sahih Muslim 772). Narration grade: Sahih.
Beginners can start with short surahs such as Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq and An-Nas. Choose a length that lets you stay focused and calm, and lengthen your recitation as your memorisation grows. A short prayer you can hold your attention through is better than a long one you rush.
Tahajjud Prayer Duas
There is no fixed du’a that must be said after Tahajjud. Ask for what you need, in whatever language you speak. The narrated supplications below are what the Prophet (SAW) said on rising at night, and you can use them alongside your own words. For more, see our collection of duas for daily life.
A short supplication asking forgiveness through Allah’s mercy:
Translation: “O Allah, I ask You by Your mercy that envelops everything, to forgive me.”
The longer supplication reported in Sahih al-Bukhari 1120, which the Prophet (SAW) said on standing for the night prayer:
Translation: “O Allah Almighty! All the praises are for you, You are the Holder of the Heavens and the Earth, And whatever is in them. All the praises are for You; You have the possession of the Heavens and the Earth And whatever is in them. The praises are for You; You are the Light of the Heavens and the Earth And all the praises are for You; You are the King of the Heavens and the Earth; And all the praises are for You; You are the Truth and Your Promise is the truth, And to meet You is true, Your Word is the truth And Paradise is true And Hell is true And all the Prophets (Peace be upon them) are true, And Muhammad (SAW) is true, And the Day of Resurrection is true. O Allah Almighty! I surrender (my will) to You; I believe in You and depend on You. And repent to You, And with Your help, I argue (with my opponents, the non-believers) And I take You as a judge (to judge between us). Please forgive me my previous And future sins; And whatever I concealed or revealed And You are the One who make (some people) forward And (some) backward. There is none to be worshipped but You”.
How to Pray Tahajjud and Witr Together
Pray Tahajjud first, as many rakats as you like in pairs, then close the night with Witr. Witr is one, three, five, seven, nine or eleven rakats; one or three is the usual choice.
The reason for that order is a single instruction. Ibn Umar (RA) reported that the Prophet (SAW) said to make Witr the last of the night prayer (Sahih al-Bukhari 998; Sahih Muslim 751). Narration grade: Sahih.
Can You Perform Witr Before Tahajjud?
Yes. If you are not confident of waking later, pray Witr after Isha. If you then do wake for Tahajjud, pray it and do not repeat Witr.
Status: agreed by all four schools. It is recommended for Witr to be the last prayer of the night, but praying after it is permitted and is not disliked, and Witr is not prayed twice in one night. Ibn Hazm records this in al-Muhalla, and it is supported by the report that the Prophet (SAW) prayed two rakats after Witr, which scholars understand as showing that praying afterwards is allowed.
The practical rule: if you are confident of waking, delay Witr and make it the seal of your night. If you are not, pray it early and treat anything later as a bonus.
What Tahajjud does for the person praying
The night prayer asks something of you that daytime worship does not. Nobody sees it and no obligation compels you. What it gives back, on the strength of the sources rather than general sentiment:
- A time when supplication is invited. Sahih al-Bukhari 1145 describes the last third of the night as a time when Allah calls on those awake to ask of Him and to seek forgiveness, and says that He responds. That is a reason to ask. It is not a guarantee that a particular request will be granted in the form you want, and no source says otherwise.
- A regular habit of seeking forgiveness. Surah Adh-Dhariyat describes the righteous as seeking forgiveness before dawn.
- Practice at concentration. Nothing competes for your attention at two in the morning, which is a reason to use the time for longer recitation.
- Discipline that carries over. Getting up for something voluntary, repeatedly, is an exercise in doing what you decided to do. That is an observation about habit, not a claim from a text.
What Tahajjud is not is a lever. You will find pages promising that praying it will get you what you want, and sometimes suggesting that if you are not praying it you cannot really want the thing. No source supports that framing, and it misrepresents what dhikr and prayer are for.
How to Wake Up for Tahajjud
Waking up is the hardest part for most people. These habits make it easier:
- Sleep early. Go to bed soon after Isha, and keep your dinner light.
- Take a short midday nap. A brief nap (qaylulah) restores enough energy to make a night waking realistic.
- Set two alarms. Keep one beside you and place the other across the room.
- Ask Allah before sleeping. Make the intention and a short dua that you be helped to wake.
- Start small. Pray two rakats once or twice a week, then add nights as the habit holds. Two rakats on Tuesday and Friday, kept for a year, is worth more than eight rakats kept for a fortnight.
Common Mistakes in Tahajjud Prayer
Avoid these frequent errors so your night prayer stays sincere and sustainable:
- Missing Fajr. Never let a late night of Tahajjud cost you the obligatory Fajr prayer. Tahajjud is voluntary; Fajr is not.
- Praying an odd number of rakats. Complete your rakats in pairs, and reserve the odd number for Witr.
- Rushing. Slow down. Night prayer is for presence, not for getting through a count.
- Overburdening yourself. Choose a pace you can keep. Steady practice beats a short burst of exhaustion.
- Asking only for worldly needs. Ask for forgiveness and guidance alongside whatever else you need.
- Announcing it. Keep it between you and Allah.
- Worrying about the wording of the intention. There is nothing to get right beyond knowing what you are praying. See the niyyah section above.
Common questions about Tahajjud
What is the difference between Tahajjud and Qiyam ul Layl?
Qiyam ul Layl is any voluntary worship between Isha and Fajr, including prayer, Quran recitation and dhikr. Tahajjud is prayer specifically after waking from sleep. All Tahajjud is Qiyam ul Layl; not all Qiyam ul Layl is Tahajjud. Status: differs by definition, not a legal dispute.
How many rakats is Tahajjud?
There is no fixed number, and two rakats are enough. Pray in pairs. Aisha (RA) reported that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) did not exceed eleven rakats at night, in Ramadan or outside it (Sahih al-Bukhari 1147; Sahih Muslim 738). Other reports from her give seven, nine or eleven besides the two rakats of Fajr, and thirteen when Witr and those two are counted. Status: agreed by all four schools that no number is fixed. Narration grade: Sahih.
Can I pray Tahajjud without sleeping?
You can pray voluntary night prayer at any point between Isha and Fajr, and it is rewarded. Whether it counts as Tahajjud specifically is a question of definition: the Shafi’i school treats waking from sleep, even a short nap, as part of what the word means, while some scholars do not require it. Without prior sleep, the term for what you prayed is Qiyam ul Layl. Status: differs by school.
What is the best time to pray Tahajjud?
The last third of the night, on the strength of Sahih al-Bukhari 1145, which describes it as the time Allah invites those awake to ask of Him. Any part of the night after Isha is valid. Status: recommended practice, not obligatory.
Is Tahajjud Sunnah or Nafl?
It is a voluntary prayer, not obligatory. It is strongly encouraged because the Prophet (SAW) kept to it, which is why you will see it described both as nafl and as mustahabb, recommended. Neither term makes it required. Status: agreed by all four schools that it is not obligatory.
What should I recite in Tahajjud namaz?
Any surah you know, after Al-Fatihah in each rakat. Surah Al-Kafirun in the first and Surah Al-Ikhlas in the second is a reported pairing, but the choice is open. Longer recitation suits the night if you can hold your concentration.
Can women pray Tahajjud during menstruation?
No. A menstruating woman does not pray, and she does not make the prayers up afterwards. Status: agreed by all four schools.
She can still worship, and the night loses none of its value for her. Dhikr, du’a and listening to the Quran are agreed to be fine, and the Hanafi school recommends sitting in the place she usually prays to keep the habit. What the schools differ on is reciting the Quran itself. The Maliki school permits it without holding the mushaf. The Hanafi school does not permit reciting aloud, from memory or from the text, while allowing Quranic words said with the intention of dhikr, du’a or seeking protection. Al-Nawawi records the Shafi’i position as not permitting recitation, and the Hanbali position is also that it is not permitted. All four hold that she does not touch the mushaf, with a Maliki dispensation for a teacher or student. Status: differs by school. Follow your own school, and ask a scholar who knows your situation if you need to recite for memorisation, teaching or work.
What is the niyat for Tahajjud prayer?
It is the intention in your heart to pray Tahajjud for Allah, and it needs no words. All four schools agree the intention is an act of the heart. No Arabic wording for it is narrated from the Prophet (SAW), so there is no formula you are missing. Whether to say something aloud is a question the schools answer differently, and the niyyah section above sets out each position. Status: agreed by all four schools on the heart; differs by school on speaking.
