Highlights
- The Tahajjud is a special Islamic prayer that is recommended (but not mandatory) for all Muslims.
- The Tahajjud is prayed after Isha (the obligatory nightly prayer) and before Fajr (the obligatory morning prayer).
- You can perform tahajjud prayer by repeating multiple rakats (cycles) of namaz, the ritual that Muslims use for their required daily prayer.
- Like the other optional prayers in Islam, you can perform tahajjud namaz in pairs.
Tahajjud is a voluntary prayer that you can perform for Allah Almighty’s love other than the compulsory prayers. You can perform the Tahajjud prayer to make up for sins, but many people want to pray Tahajjud because of the good feats that it’s said to stand for.
Here is how to perform Tahajjud prayer or namaz for seeking Allah’s love and spiritual wellbeing.
Tahajjud Time
The Tahajjud time starts after Isha (the obligatory nightly prayer) and ends before Fajr (the obligatory morning prayer).
If possible, it is most advisable to perform the namaz Tahajjud between midnight and Fajr, ideally in the last third of the night.
The time two-thirds of the way between Isha and Fajr is a good time for Tahajjud. This is because Allah comes down to the lowest heaven during the last third of the night, asking, “Who is asking me, so I can give to him? Who is calling upon me, so I can answer him? Who is seeking my forgiveness, so I can forgive him?”
How To Perform Tahajjud Prayer
You can perform Tahajjud namaz in sets of 2 raqats; that’s how most non-faridah prayers like Namaz Ishraq are performed.
Before offering Tahajjud prayer, you need to do the following things.
Set alarm to Wake up for Prayer
After praying the Isha prayer and before going to sleep, set an alarm clock or have a family member agree to wake you at Tahajjud time.
Perform Wudu
Wake up during the night at the time you’ve decided. Once you awake, perform Wudu, the ritual cleaning. Muslims cleanse themselves before they pray or handle the Holy Quran.
Face Qibla
For every prayer in Islam, Muslims need to turn their bodies to face Qibla. Qibla is the Holy Mosque in Mecca which is a very special place for all Muslims.
Pro Tip: If you’re not sure what direction to face, try downloading a “Qibla compass” app on your phone. This is a modified compass that points in the direction of the Holy Mosque.
Now when all the above is done, you are ready to offer Tahajjud prayer.
Make your Neyat or Intentions for praying Tahajjud
Before you start praying tahajjud, you need to make your definite Neyat or intentions. Preferably, you should say, “I pray two rak’ah Tahajjud for Allah while facing toward Kaaba/ Qibla.”
Pro Tip: If you are offering Tahajjud namaz to start the day on a positive note you can say “Today is a holiday, and I am performing Tahajjud prayer to encourage good deeds in the world in the name of Allah.”
Pro Tip: if you did some misdeeds yesterday, your intention can be “Yesterday, I had a bad day and committed a sin. I am performing Tahajjud prayer to make up for the negative actions I took.”
Start Namaz Tahajjud With Surah Fatiha
Read Surah Fatiha and another surah, preferably Surah Ikhlaas. Then, bow down into ruku and then prostrate into sujood.
Pro Tip: Be sure to state the surahs in Arabic because they come from the Quran. Personal prayers can be answered in your primary language.
Perform another Rakat
When you completed the first Rakat, return to the standing position, recite the Surah Fatiha again. Then, recite another surah, and then continue with the Rakat.
Offer As Many Rakats As You Want
As Tahajjud prayer is not compulsory and you only perform it for Allah’s love so you can offer as many rakats as you want but in pairs.
Pro Tip: Tahajjud is a very powerful prayer, so offering more rakats can help you achieve your prayer intention.
Add your own prayers (dua) after the rakats
After you’ve performed the number of rakats you set out to pray, you may include your dua as long as they’re honest, courteous, and done in complete dedication to Allah. These may be presented in extended prostration in your own words and native language.
-
How Pray Tahajjud step by step?
Please find below the step-by-step guide on how to pray Tahajjud:
1: Wake up after midnight, preferably between midnight and Fajr prayer.
2: Perform Wudu (ablution) and wear clean clothes.
3: Offer at least two Rak’ahs of Tahajjud prayer, and it is recommended to offer up to 12 Rak’ahs.
4: In each Rak’ah, recite Surah Al-Fatihah and any other Surah from the Quran.
5: In the last Rak’ah, recite the Tashahhud and offer Salam.
6: Take a break, rest, and make Dua (supplication) to Allah.
7: Repeat steps 3-6 for as many Rak’ahs as you want to offer.
It is important to note that the Tahajjud prayer is a voluntary prayer, and it is not mandatory to perform. However, it is highly recommended and has many spiritual benefits. -
What do you say during Tahajjud prayer?
During Tahajjud prayer, you can recite any Surahs or verses from the Quran that you are comfortable with. There are no specific Surahs or verses that are required to be recited during Tahajjud prayer. You can also make dua (supplication) to Allah (SWT) for yourself, your loved ones, and the Ummah. You can use your own words or recite duas from authentic sources. It is a time of personal connection with Allah (SWT), so you can speak to Him from your heart.
-
Which Dua is for Tahajjud?
There are several duas (supplications) that one can recite during Tahajjud prayer. Here are some examples:
Dua for seeking forgiveness: رَبَّنَا اغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا وَكَفِّرْ عَنَّا سَيِّئَاتِنَا وَتَوَفَّنَا مَعَ الْأَبْرَارِ Rabbana ighfir lana thunoobana wakaffir ‘anna sayyi’aatina wa tawaffana ma’al-abrar Translation: Our Lord, forgive us our sins and wipe out our bad deeds and take us with the righteous.
Dua for guidance: رَبِّ اجْعَلْنِي مُقِيمَ الصَّلَاةِ وَمِن ذُرِّيَّتِي رَبَّنَا وَتَقَبَّلْ دُعَاءِ Rabbi ij’alni muqeemas-salati wa min dhurriyyati, Rabbana wa taqabbal du’a Translation: O my Lord! Make me one who establishes prayer, and also (raise such) among my offspring, O our Lord! And accept my supplication.
Dua for blessings: اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ لَنَا فِيمَا رَزَقْتَنَا وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ Allahumma barik lana fi ma razaqtana waqina ‘adhaban-nar Translation: O Allah, bless us in what You have provided for us and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.
It is recommended to recite any dua that comes from the heart during the Tahajjud prayer as it is a time of intimate communication with Allah. -
What is the exact time for Tahajjud prayer?
The time for the Tahajjud prayer starts after performing the Isha prayer and continues until before the Fajr prayer.
It is recommended to perform the Tahajjud prayer during the last third of the night, which can be calculated by dividing the time between Maghrib and Fajr prayer into three parts.
For example, if the time between Maghrib and Fajr is 9 hours, then the last third of the night would be the 3 hours before Fajr. However, it is important to note that the Tahajjud prayer is a voluntary prayer and can be performed anytime during the night. -
How many Rakats are in Tahajjud?
Tahajjud prayer consists of at least two Rakats and up to 12 Rakats. It is usually performed in sets of two Rakats, known as Salat-ul-Layl. The Tahajjud prayer is a voluntary prayer, so the number of Rakats can vary based on personal preference and time availability.
-
Can I pray Tahajjud 30 minutes before Fajr?
Yes, you can pray Tahajjud 30 minutes before Fajr. In fact, the Tahajjud prayer is recommended to be performed in the later part of the night, after performing the Isha prayer and before the Fajr prayer.
However, it is important to note that the time for Tahajjud may vary based on the location and season, so it’s best to check the prayer times for your specific location. -
What is the benefit of Tahajjud prayer?
Tahajjud prayer is a voluntary prayer that Muslims perform during the late hours of the night after sleeping for some time. The benefits of Tahajjud prayer are numerous, both spiritual and physical.
It is considered a highly rewarding prayer and is said to bring numerous blessings, including increased closeness to Allah, increased humility, peace of mind, and the ability to control one’s desires and temptations.
It is also said to improve one’s physical health and well-being and provide protection from negative influences.
The Tahajjud prayer is a means of seeking forgiveness and mercy from Allah, and it is believed to be a powerful way to ask for blessings and guidance from Him. -
Is Witr compulsory before Tahajjud?
No, Witr is not compulsory before Tahajjud prayer. Witr is a separate prayer that is performed after the Isha prayer and before going to sleep at night.
-
What is the Sunnah of Tahajjud?
The Sunnah of Tahajjud includes waking up in the middle of the night after some sleep, performing Wudu (ablution), offering at least two Rakats of Tahajjud prayer with sincere devotion and concentration, and then offering additional Rakats in sets of two or four. It is recommended to recite long Surahs during the prayer and to perform Witr prayer after Tahajjud. It is also advised to supplicate to Allah and seek His forgiveness during Tahajjud, as it is a time when the doors of mercy and forgiveness are open.
