Tahajjud prayer is a special act of devotion that has a unique place in the hearts of believers. In this guide, we’ll explore the importance of Tahajjud, looking into its benefits mentioned in the Quran and Hadith. Join us on a spiritual journey to understand the prayer’s timings, rakats, and powerful duas. Remember this information for future reference.
Key Points
Why We Offer Tahajjud Rakat?
Muslims offer Tahajjud prayer for various profound reasons, each contributing to their spiritual development and connection with Allah. Firstly, it is a means to draw closer to the Almighty, seeking an intimate and personal connection in the silence of the night. Following the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is another motivation, as he consistently engaged in Tahajjud and encouraged his followers to do the same.
Benefits of Tahajjud
The prayer serves as a time for sincere repentance, seeking forgiveness, and the purification of the soul. Additionally, the night, especially its last third, is considered a time when Allah is particularly receptive to supplications, making Tahajjud an opportune moment to beseech Him for personal needs and the well-being of others.
The spiritual progress attained through Tahajjud strengthens the bond between the worshiper and the Divine, fostering increased love for Allah. Regularly engaging in Tahajjud is a sign of belonging to an elite group dedicated to spending their nights in worship, reminiscent of the Prophet ﷺ, companions, and pious predecessors.
It also instills spiritual discipline, as waking up in the night for prayer requires self-control. The prayer is an avenue for seeking guidance and solutions to life’s challenges and serves as a preparation for the Hereafter, emphasizing the transient nature of this world and the importance of investing in the eternal life to come.
In essence, Tahajjud is a multifaceted act of worship, encompassing numerous spiritual, emotional, and personal benefits, facilitating believers’ journey toward Allah and personal growth in faith.
Timings of Tahajjud Namaz (Start And End Time)
Tahajjud prayer is best performed during the last third of the night, starting after Isha and concluding before Fajr.
This sacred time offers a unique opportunity for believers to draw closer to Allah, seeking an intimate connection through prayer and supplication. It is a practice rooted in the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, exemplifying dedication, repentance, and spiritual discipline. The last portion of the night is considered particularly receptive to supplications, making Tahajjud a meaningful and spiritually enriching act of worship.
Best Time for Tahajjud Prayer
Tahajjud prayer, recommended by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, is ideally performed in the last third of the night, after Isha and before Fajr. This dedicated time allows believers a unique opportunity to deepen their connection with Allah through prayer and supplication, emphasizing dedication, repentance, and spiritual discipline. The last part of the night is considered especially auspicious for meaningful and enriching worship.
I would like to mention a story:
Someone inquired from Syeda Aisha رضي الله عنها about the Prophet’s practice of Tahajjud, and she responded:
Arabic Version:
قَالَ سَأَلْتُ عَائِشَةَ ـ رضى الله عنها ـ كَيْفَ صَلاَةُ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم بِاللَّيْلِ قَالَتْ كَانَ يَنَامُ أَوَّلَهُ وَيَقُومُ آخِرَهُ، فَيُصَلِّي ثُمَّ يَرْجِعُ إِلَى فِرَاشِهِ، فَإِذَا أَذَّنَ الْمُؤَذِّنُ وَثَبَ، فَإِنْ كَانَ بِهِ حَاجَةٌ اغْتَسَلَ، وَإِلاَّ تَوَضَّأَ وَخَرَجَ.
English Translation:
He would sleep early at night and rise in its final part to engage in Tahajjud prayer, then go back to his bed. Upon hearing the call to prayer (Adhan) by the Mu’adh-dhin, he would promptly get up. If there was a need for a bath, he would take one; otherwise, he would perform ablution before heading out for the prayer.
Is It Necessary To Sleep Before Tahajjud?
While it is not a strict requirement to sleep before performing Tahajjud, it is recommended to get some rest before waking up for this night prayer. The essence of Tahajjud lies in voluntary and sincere worship during the latter part of the night.
Sleeping beforehand can contribute to a more focused and attentive state during Tahajjud. However, if someone finds it difficult to sleep or wakes up naturally during the night, they can engage in Tahajjud without prior sleep. The primary emphasis is on the voluntary act of worship and the sincerity of one’s connection with Allah during this special prayer.
Can I Pray Tahajjud And Isha Together?
In Islam, it’s recommended to pray Isha and Tahajjud at their designated times. Combining Isha and Tahajjud into a single prayer is not a common practice. It’s best to follow the established timings for each prayer, following the guidance provided by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, unless there are valid reasons for combining prayers, which have specific rules and conditions.
Offer Tahajjud and 3 Witrs
Certainly, you can offer Tahajjud prayer and conclude it with three Witr units. Tahajjud is a voluntary night prayer, and Witr is an odd-numbered prayer performed after the Isha prayer. Combining them can be a spiritually rewarding practice. Simply perform the Tahajjud prayer and then conclude with three units of Witr to complete your night prayers.
Tahajjud Namaz Rakats
Understanding the structure of Tahajjud prayer is essential for a devout practice. Explore the recommended total number of rakats for Tahajjud and the spiritual significance of each unit.
Tahajjud Namaz ki kul rakat batanay se pehlay, mein yehan aik Hadith ka hawala dena pasand karo ga, jis mein Prophet Muhammad ﷺ ka tarika bataya jaa raha hai k Ap 2, 2 rakath kaar kaar k Apni Tahajjud ki namaz ada kartay thy.
Arabic Version:
عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، قَالَ كَانَ النَّبِيُّ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ يُصَلِّي بِاللَّيْلِ رَكْعَتَيْنِ رَكْعَتَيْنِ
English Translation:
It was narrated that Ibn ‘Abbas said: “The Prophet (ﷺ) used to pray the night prayer two Rak’ah by two Rak’ah.”
Total Rakats In Tahajjud Prayers
The number of rakats (units of prayer) in Tahajjud can vary, but it is generally an odd number. Commonly, Tahajjud consists of 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, or more rakats, prayed in sets of two. It is a flexible night prayer, and the worshiper can decide the number of rakats based on personal capacity and devotion. It’s often concluded with an odd-numbered Witr prayer, typically one, three, five, seven, or more rakats. The specific number of rakats in Tahajjud can vary based on individual practice and tradition.
Tahajjud Namaz Ka Tarika
Tahajjud, the night prayer in Islam, is special. Here’s a short guide:
- Intention: Start with a sincere intention to pray Tahajjud.
- When to Pray: Usually after midnight, wake up for Tahajjud.
- Ablution: Wash up before you pray.
- Number of Units (Rakats): Pray Tahajjud in sets of two rakats.
- Recitation: Read verses from the Quran during each rakat.
For more details, check out my complete article on Tahajjud namaz ka Tarika.
Tahajjud Namaz ki Dua
Improve your Tahajjud experience by exploring the best duas to recite during this sacred prayer. Discover the most powerful prayers that can deepen your connection with the Divine.
Best Tahajjud Dua To Recite
Prophet Hazrat Muhammad ﷺ used to resite this dua:
Arabic Version:
اللَّهُمَّ لَكَ الْحَمْدُ أَنْتَ قَيِّمُ السَّمَوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ وَمَنْ فِيهِنَّ وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ، لَكَ مُلْكُ السَّمَوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ وَمَنْ فِيهِنَّ، وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ أَنْتَ نُورُ السَّمَوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ، وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ أَنْتَ الْحَقُّ، وَوَعْدُكَ الْحَقُّ، وَلِقَاؤُكَ حَقٌّ، وَقَوْلُكَ حَقٌّ، وَالْجَنَّةُ حَقٌّ، وَالنَّارُ حَقٌّ، وَالنَّبِيُّونَ حَقٌّ، وَمُحَمَّدٌ صلى الله عليه وسلم حَقٌّ، وَالسَّاعَةُ حَقٌّ، اللَّهُمَّ لَكَ أَسْلَمْتُ، وَبِكَ آمَنْتُ وَعَلَيْكَ تَوَكَّلْتُ، وَإِلَيْكَ أَنَبْتُ، وَبِكَ خَاصَمْتُ، وَإِلَيْكَ حَاكَمْتُ، فَاغْفِرْ لِي مَا قَدَّمْتُ وَمَا أَخَّرْتُ، وَمَا أَسْرَرْتُ وَمَا أَعْلَنْتُ، أَنْتَ الْمُقَدِّمُ وَأَنْتَ الْمُؤَخِّرُ، لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ أَنْتَ ـ أَوْ لاَ إِلَهَ غَيْرُكَ
English Translation:
O Allah! 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. All 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 is true, And the Day of Resurrection is true. O Allah ! 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 . Sufyan said that `Abdul Karim Abu Umaiya added to the above, ‘Wala haula Wala quwata illa billah’ (There is neither might nor power except with Allah).
Tips for Tahajjud Namaz
Here is a video which gives us the tips for Tahajjud namaz.
Summary
In essence, this guide stresses the importance of Tahajjud prayer for cultivating a strong spiritual bond. It emphasizes the Prophet’s disciplined approach of sleeping early and rising in the last part of the night, aligning with the call to prayer. The benefits of Tahajjud, including intimate connection, repentance, and supplication, are highlighted. Encouraging its regular practice, the guide suggests incorporating Tahajjud into daily routines for personal and spiritual growth, drawing inspiration from the Prophet’s commitment to this profound act of worship.
