Tahajjud is a voluntary Islamic prayer that is performed during the night hours, after waking up from sleep. It is considered to be a highly rewarding act of worship in Islam and is mentioned in the Hadith (traditions of Prophet Muhammad). The exact time for performing Tahajjud is after midnight and before the time of the Fajr (dawn) prayer. The number of rakats (units of prayer) performed in Tahajjud can vary, but it is typically two to eight.

Tahajjud means “to stay in a place and quietly wait.” Tahajjud is not a mandatory prayer, but it is recommended due to its high spiritual value. The Tahajjud prayer is a voluntary prayer different from the other five mandatory prayers, but it holds its importance as our Prophet (P.B.U.H) performed the Tahajjud prayer in routine. Let’s teach you how to pray tahajjud prayer.

Muhammad Saad

Muhammad Saad

Mr. Mufti Dr. Muhammd Saad has started his Islamic education from Jamia Darul uloom, karachi. He is a direct student of Mr Mufti Taqi usmani. He is Also a PhD in uloom-ul-hadith from hazara University, Mansehra. Now he is heading various maddrasas in Abbottabad, and performing his duties as an imam in Masjid-e-Quba, nawanshehr, Abbottabad.

References of Tahajjud prayer

Tahajjud Prayer In Quran

The specific word "tahajjud" is not mentioned in the Quran, however, the concept of night prayer and its importance is mentioned several times in the Quran. For example:

  • Quran 17:79: "And during the night, awaken for prayer, perhaps your Lord will raise you to a place of praise and glory."
  • Quran 73:20: "Your Lord knows that you stand (in prayer) less than two-thirds of the night, or half of it, or a third of it, and so do a group of those with you."

These verses emphasize the importance of night prayer in Islam and encourage Muslims to perform it regularly. The practice of tahajjud is based on these verses and the traditions of Prophet Muhammad.

Tahajjud Prayer In hadith

The practice of tahajjud is based on several Hadiths (traditions of Prophet Muhammad) that mention its virtues and importance. Some of these Hadiths include:

  • Sahih Bukhari: "The Prophet said, 'The best prayer after the mandatory prayers is the night prayer.'"
  • Sahih Muslim: "The Prophet said, 'Our Lord, the Blessed, the Superior, comes down every night to 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?'"
  • Sunan Abu Dawud: "The Prophet said, 'The person who performs tahajjud regularly is like the one who fasts regularly and stands in prayer regularly.'"

These Hadiths demonstrate the importance of tahajjud in Islam and encourage Muslims to perform it regularly as a means of seeking closeness to God and obtaining His blessings.

Step by Step Guide to Perform Tahajjud Prayer

Step 1 Perform Isha Prayer

You must perform Isha prayer before performing Tahajjud as isha is one of the obligatory prayers while Tahajjud is a recommended (voluntary) prayer. So, It is necessary to perform the isha prayer (obligatory prayer) first and then perform the Tahajjud prayer (recommended prayer).

Step 2 Wake up for Praying Tahajjud prayer

Waking up for Tahajjud prayer is a voluntary act of worship in Islam that is performed during the night hours, after waking up from sleep. The exact time for performing Tahajjud is after midnight and before the time of the Fajr (dawn) prayer.

To wake up for Tahajjud, it is recommended to set an alarm or use a reminder, as well as to make a sincere intention to perform the prayer and seek closeness to Allah. It can also be helpful to establish a routine of going to bed early and avoiding activities that can keep one awake at night.

Waking up for Tahajjud can be a challenging practice, but it is highly rewarding in the eyes of Allah, as it demonstrates a strong commitment to worship and a desire for closeness to Him.

Wake Up for Tahajjud Prayer

Step 3 Perform Wudu (Ablution) before prayer

Yes, it is necessary to perform Wudu before performing Tahajjud prayer, as well as before performing any other prayer in Islam. Wudu is a ritual washing that is considered to purify the body and prepare it for worship.

Here are the steps to perform Wudu before Tahajjud prayer:

  1. Make the intention: Make the intention in your heart to perform Wudu for the purpose of worshiping Allah.
  2. Wash your hands: Wash your hands three times.
  3. Rinse your mouth: Rinse your mouth three times, making sure to gargle.
  4. Clean your nose: Clean your nose three times by sniffing water into it and then blowing it out.
  5. Wash your face: Wash your face three times, making sure to cover your entire face, including your forehead, cheeks, and chin.
  6. Wash your arms: Wash your arms three times, starting from the fingers and working your way up to the elbow.
  7. Wipe your head: Wet your hands and wipe your head once.
  8. Wash your feet: Wash your feet three times, making sure to wash the ankles.

It is important to follow the steps in sequence and to perform Wudu with attention and devotion, as it is considered to be a means of purifying the body and preparing for prayer.

Perform Wudu

Step 4 Starting with Niyyah

The intention of Tahajjud prayer is a statement made in one's heart and mind, indicating one's intention to perform the prayer for the purpose of seeking closeness to Allah and earning His blessings. The exact words used to make the intention are not specified in Islamic teachings, but it is recommended to make a clear and sincere intention before performing any act of worship.

To make the intention for Tahajjud prayer, one can simply say something like "I intend to perform the Tahajjud prayer to seek closeness to Allah and earn His blessings facing kabah." It is important to make the intention with a sincere heart and to focus one's mind and thoughts on the act of worship being performed.

In addition to making the intention, it is also important to follow the prescribed steps for performing Tahajjud, including waking up from sleep, performing Wudu (ablution), and performing the prayer according to the proper etiquette and guidelines set forth in Islamic teachings.

Make Niyyat for tahajjud

Step 5 Recite Takbir

Takbir-e-oula is a door to enter any prayer. Takbir is mandatory to start praying tahajjud. Recite Takbir "Allah-u-Akbar"(ٱللَّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ) by taking both your hands up to your ears, and women take their hands up to their shoulders. You can recite Takbir loudly or slowly.

recite takbir to start the tahajjud

Step 6 Make Qayam

Standing in Qayam is the second obligatory step of any prayer. After takbir-e-oula, stand still while looking at the spot of sajdah facing the qibla with both your hands tied to your lower abdomen and women tie their hands on their chest. Tie your hands so that you hold your wrist with your thumb and little finger, and place the other three fingers on the wrist as in the image.Then recite Sana, Surah Fateha and then Surah Ikhlas. You can replace Surah Ikhlas with any other Surah for a longer Qiyyam.

make qayyam for tahajjud

Step 7 Bend in Ruku

Say "Allah hu Akbar" (ٱللَّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ) and bow down, such as your body straight facing the ground and putting your both hands on your knees. While bowing down, recite "Subhana-Rabbi Al Azeem" (سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ العظيم) for a minimum of three times. For a longer Ruku, you can recite the Tasbeeh seven times or increase it in odd numbers.

make ruku for tahajjud

Step 8 stand in Qooma

Then recite "Sami Allah Hu Liman Hamidah" ( سَمِعَ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ) while rising from the Ruku and "Rabana Lakal Hamd" (رَبَّنَا لَكَ الْحَمْدُ) when you stand straight.

make qooma for tahajjud

Step 9 Perform First Sajdah (Prostration)

Saying "Allah hu Akbar"(ٱللَّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ), bend down to perform Sajdah by placing both your hands, forehead, and nose on the ground. Then recite "Subhana Rabbi Al Alla" سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الأَعْلَى a minimum of three times. You can recite this Tasbeeh (سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الأَعْلَى) in odd numbers for a longer prostration.

perform first sajdah

Step 10 sit in Jalsa

Then rise your head, hands, and nose up from Sajdah, saying "Allah hu Akbar" (ٱللَّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ). Sitting up straight for some seconds between two sujoods is known as Jalsa.

perform jalsa

Step 11 Perform Second Sajdah (Prostration)

Again bend down in Sajdah, saying "Allah hu Akbar" (ٱللَّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ) and reciting "Subhana Rabbi Al Alla"(سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الأَعْلَى) three times or in odd numbers for a longer Sujood.

perform 2nd sajdah

Step 12 Stand up in qiyyam and repeat

Stand up saying, "Allah Hu Akbar" ٱللَّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ. The first Rakat is completed here. Now start the second Rakat. After standing, repeat the Qayam, Ruku, Qooma, the First sujood, Jalsa, and second Sajdah as you had already performed in the first Rakat.

stand up in Qiyyam

Step 13 Sit in Quood (Atahiyyat)

In the second Rakat after the second sajdah, sit with your palms on your front thighs and recite "Atahiyyat." You can also recite other recommended Dua's in this position. Then recite the "Durood" and last recite a powerful dua from The Quran, "Rabana Atina Fid Dunya Hasanataw-wa-Fil Akhirati Hasanataw-wa-Qina Azaban Nar."

sit in quood

Step 14 Finish your Prayer (Tasleem)

Once you performed Quood finish your prayer by turning your head to your right side reciting "Assalamualaikum Wa Rehmatullah" السَّلامُ عَلَيْكُم ورَحْمَةُ اللهِ, then to your left side reciting the same "Assalamualaikum Wa Rehmatullah" السَّلامُ عَلَيْكُم ورَحْمَةُ اللهِ.

sit in quood

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Benefits of Tahajjud

Tahajjud is a voluntary act of worship in Islam that is performed during the night hours, after waking up from sleep. There are many benefits of performing Tahajjud, both in this world and in the hereafter, including:

  1. Closeness to Allah: Tahajjud is a means of seeking closeness to Allah and earning His blessings. It demonstrates one's devotion and commitment to worship, and can increase one's connection to Allah.
  2. Forgiveness of sins: Performing Tahajjud is considered to be an act of worship that is highly rewarded by Allah, and can result in the forgiveness of sins.
  3. Increased spiritual awareness: Waking up for Tahajjud can help one to focus on the spiritual aspects of life and to increase one's awareness of Allah's presence.
  4. Protection from evil: Performing Tahajjud is also considered to provide protection from evil and to increase one's safety and security.
  5. Improved sleep: Studies have shown that waking up for Tahajjud can result in improved sleep quality, as it helps to regulate the sleep-wake cycle.
  6. Increased productivity: Performing Tahajjud can result in increased energy and motivation, leading to improved productivity and success in one's daily life.

These are just a few of the many benefits of performing Tahajjud. It is a highly rewarding act of worship that can bring many blessings and benefits to those who perform it regularly and with sincerity.