• Quran Online Study
  • Mon - Sat 8:00 - 18:00
Follow Us:
Quran Online Charity
Masjid e Abuzar 2nd Phase Competed in Ahmadpur Sharqia Bahawalpur --
Ration Packs Distributed in Dip Upper KPK Akhagram --
Water Hand Pumps campaign in Full Swing --
Gifts Distributed in KPK Dir Upper Akhagram --
Quran Online Charity
Masjid e Abuzar 2nd Phase Competed in Ahmadpur Sharqia Bahawalpur --
Ration Packs Distributed in Dip Upper KPK Akhagram --
Water Hand Pumps campaign in Full Swing --
Gifts Distributed in KPK Dir Upper Akhagram --

The Importance of Tahajjud Prayer in Islam and How to Pray it

Tahajjud prayer, although not obligatory, holds great importance in Islam. Islam has obliged Muslims to pray 5 times a day. If you’re a Muslim you must have heard about Tahajjud prayers at least once.  

The Muslims believe that most of their duas are accepted in Tahajjud prayer. Tahajjud prayer also known as the “Night prayer”, is prayed in the third part of the night. There are three voluntary prayers in Islam, and Tahajjud is one of them.  

In this article, we will unwrap the reason for the great importance of Tahajjud in Islam and what the Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (P.B.U.H) has said about it. To understand the concept of Tahajjud prayer better, let’s have a look at the four main types of prayers in Islam. 

Types of Prayers In Islam 

In Islam, there are four main types of prayers. Fardh (Obligatory), Sunnah, Wajib, and Nafl. All types of Salah have different ways and timings of performing them.  

1- Fardh (Obligatory prayers)

Fardh prayers are those that all Muslims have to pray every day. There are five obligatory prayers. They include Fajar, Zohar, Asar, Maghrib, and Isha. All of these are divided among different times of the day, starting from morning to night. 

2- Sunnah Prayers

Sunnah prayers are prayed with the Fardh ( Obligatory prayers ) but some of them are voluntary. For example, sunnah prayers include the first two sunnah of Salat-al-Fajr. 

3- Wajib Prayers 

Wajib prayers are also obligatory in Islam, it is considered a sin if you miss them The wajib prayers include Salat-al-witr, which has three rakats and is usually prayed with salat-al-Isha. The wajib prayers also include Salat-al-Eidain, the two rakats of both Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-azha. During the Tawaf of Khana Kaa’ba, two rakats that are prayed are also wajib. 

4- Nafl Prayer

The word Nafl means “to get something extra”. In the context of worship, it refers to extra rewards. The Nafl prayers are voluntary prayers. They are the opposite of Obligatory prayers, which means you can pray if you want to, but there’s no punishment if you don’t. There are three nafl prayers. They include Tahajjud, salat-al-Ishraq, and salat-ad-Duha. Salat-ad-Duha, also known as chaasht is performed after about a third of the day has passed. Salat-al-ishraq is prayed about 20-45 minutes after dawn. 

The Nafl prayers are usually prayed by believers to earn extra good deeds/rewards for their akhirah (Hereafter).  

What is Tahajjud Prayer 

The word “Tahajjud” comes from the word “Hujood”. The literal meaning of the word Tahajjud is “Keeping vigil” in Arabic. It refers to the worship that is done at night time. It could be quranic recitation or salah. Tahajjud prayer is a nafl prayer, which means it is not obligatory. 

Tahajjud prayer is also called “Qiyam-ul-layl” which means “to stand during the night”. It is prayed after the salat-al-Isha, and before salat-al-fajr. 

Many pious Muslims perform the Tahajjud prayer as well besides the obligatory prayers because the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) performed it religiously. Tahajjud Prayer is the most fruitful prayer among all other Nafl prayers.  

How to Pray Tahajjud 

How to Pray Tahajjud 

Tahajjud is prayed exactly like the other five obligatory prayers, Fajar, Zohar, Asar, Maghrib, & Isha. However, the only difference is that the number of Rakats in Tahajjud can be anything between 2 to 12. Where 2 is the minimum and 12 is the maximum number of rakats. Most people pray 2 to 4 rakats in Tahajjud Prayer. If you’re still confused about how to pray Tahajjud, here’s a step-by-step breakdown to make it simpler. 

  1. Set Alarms to wake up in the last part of the night. 
  1. Make Wudu. (Clean your head, feet (up to your ankles), hands (to elbows), and face thoroughly.) 
  1. Look for a quiet, clean area to offer the Tahajjud prayer. 
  1. Make the Niyyah (intention) first by saying, “I plan to perform two rakats of salat al Tahajjud,” and then recite the takbir, “Allahu Akbar,” during the first Rakat. At this point, the prayer officially starts. Now recite “Subhanaka”. 
  1. “Audhubillahi Min-ash-shaytanir-rajeem then Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-rajeem,” is the phrase that follows. 
  1. Surah Al-Fatiha should be recited first, followed by another Surah from the Qur’an. 
  1. Say “SubahaanaRabbiyal Azeem” after making a Ruku bow. 
  1. After Ruku, stand up straight and say Sami Allahu liman Hamidah (Allah hears those who praise Him), and say “Rabbana laqal Hamd” (our Lord praise be to You) in a low voice. 
  1. After that, we recite “SubahaanaRabbiyalAa’la” as we enter the first Sajdah. 
  1. Repeat the first raka’at’s procedure as we stand to begin the second, and after the second Sajdah, we say, “SubhaanaRabbiyalAa’la.” 
  1. You then sit for the entirety of the Tashshahud, including the At-tahiyyat, Drood-e-Ibrahimi, and Rabbana. 
  1. At last, say Assalaamualaikum waRahmatullah by moving your face on both right and left sides and looking at your shoulders.  

The Best Time to Pray Tahajjud 

There are many things that need to be clarified about the time when Tahajjud should be prayed. Tahajjud can be prayed between salat-al-Isha ( the obligatory night prayer ) and salat-al-fajr ( The obligatory morning prayer ). The word “Tahajjud” has many meanings, and one of them is to “give up sleep”. This means it is prayed in the last part or the third part of the night, preferably after a person has fallen asleep.  

In the last part of the night, Allah descends to the lowest sky to see who is worshipping, and he accepts their prayers in Tahajjud. This is why Muslims consider Tahajjud a miracle prayer for their wishes and desires. 

Tahajjud time

Is it obligatory to sleep before tahajjud prayer? 

Many Muslims believe that it is compulsory to sleep before performing Tahajjud. However, that’s not the case. It is perfectly fine to sleep before Tahajjud. In Islam, all worship is accepted based on the intentions of the believer.  

As it comes in Hadith that the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) said “ The reward for good deeds depends on the intention, and each person will receive the reward in accordance with his intentions.” 

But if you’re up for someone’s reason, and haven’t slept till late midnight, then you can still pray the Tahajjud prayer. Sleep or no sleep, doesn’t interfere with the acceptance of our worship.  

Islam doesn’t burden believers with unreasonable expectations, so a believer can sleep at night and wake up in the last part of the night to pray Tahajjud. The best practice to be consistent with Tahajjud prayer is to set up a few alarms for yourself. But again, it’s a Nafl prayer. This means if you’re unable to pray Tahajjud, it isn’t considered a sin. 

Importance of Tahajjud Prayer 

The Tahajjud prayer holds great importance for Muslims. One of the reasons is that it is the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H). Sunnah refers to the actions of the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H). In surah Al-Isra ayat no. 79 in para number 17 Allah says 

وَمِنَ الَّيۡلِ فَتَهَجَّدۡ بِهٖ نَافِلَةً لَّكَ ​ۖ  عَسٰۤى اَنۡ يَّبۡعَـثَكَ رَبُّكَ مَقَامًا مَّحۡمُوۡدًا 

“And wake up from your slumber at night as well; this is another prayer for you. You might be raised by your Lord to a prestigious position.” 

This ayat depicts the importance of Tahajjud prayer, here Allah promises the believer that if he performs tahajjud prayer Allah will reward him in both this world and in the next world. And believers who pray Tahajjud will be praised and glorified by everyone.  

Another reason Tahajjud holds significant importance is that it is difficult to wake up in the middle of the night to worship, which is why believers who pray Tahajjud are loved and rewarded greatly by Allah.  

Tahajjud prayer holds a lot of power and brings you closer to Allah almighty. Many believers share their tahajjud miracle stories and how they got everything they prayed for in Tahajjud. It is a source of peace for hearts that are distressed. 

Benefits of Tahajjud Prayer 

Benefits of performing prayers regularly are uncountable. One gets closer to Allah and finds inner peace. A true Muslim believes that there’s life after death and that the real purpose of life is much bigger than this temporary dunya. Praying regularly saves believers from going astray, thus saving them from jahannum (Hellfire) in the akhirah. In many quranic verses and hadiths, the benefits of Tahajjud have been mentioned. 

Tahajjud is not just a prayer, but it is also a sunnah of the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H). Allah rewards believers who follow the sunnah of the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H). According to the hadith, “the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) used to pray 13 rakats in Tahajjud prayers.” 

1- Tahajjud helps a believer get closer to Allah

It is very easy for a human being to lose sight of their real purpose in life, and get too lost in worldly affairs. But Tahajjud prayers can serve as an effective to get closer to Allah in no time. In the middle of the night, when everyone’s asleep, you wake up and worship him, he sees you and rewards you. The more rewards you get, the more regularly you pray. 

According to a Hadith, “Be vigilant in standing up to pray at night; the religious people who came before you did so. It serves as a means of repentance for wrongdoings, a safeguard against sin, and a pathway to Allah Ta’ala..” (Tirmidhi) 

2- Unlimited rewards from Allah 

Waking up in the middle of the night, with the sole purpose of worshipping Allah, is not an easy task. And that’s why Allah rewards all those who perform Tahajjud regularly. In surah at-talaq verse no.3 Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala says, 

وَيَرْزُقْهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَحْتَسِبُ ۚ وَمَن يَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ فَهُوَ حَسْبُهُۥٓ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ بَـٰلِغُ أَمْرِهِۦ ۚ قَدْ جَعَلَ ٱللَّهُ لِكُلِّ شَىْءٍۢ قَدْرًۭا 

“and nurture them in ways they could never have imagined. Whoever puts their confidence in Allah can find sufficiency in Him alone. Without a doubt, Allah fulfills His Will. Everything has a destiny that Allah has already determined.” 

3- Tahajjud is a Source of Strength and Peace

Muslims believe in one true God. In surah Al-Maida Ayat no. 120, Allah says: 

لِلَّهِ مُلْكُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَمَا فِيهِنَّ ۚ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍۢ قَدِيرٌۢ  

“The kingdom of the heavens, the earth, and everything inside them belong to Allah alone. And He is able to do everything.” 

So whenever a believer is faced with hardships, it is commendable that they place their trust in Allah, because he has all the power in the world. Only he can grant peace and strength to his creation.  

4- Fulfilment of wishes and desires

According to a Hadith, Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) said, “in the last part of the night Allah subḥānahu wataʿālā comes down to the lowest heaven and says “Who will call upon Me, that I may answer Him?” Who will ask of Me so I may give? Who will beg for My forgiveness so that I may forgive him?”[Muslim and Bukhari] 

This hadith explains how Allah accepts the prayers of believers who pray Tahajjud. He is the kindest and most merciful, and ever ready to forgive those who repent.  

Tahajjud is known for fulfilling the wishes and desires of people who pray religiously. Not just that, but it also ensures that they will be forgiven by Allah on the day of judgment.  

What Does Quran Say About Tahajjud 

In Quran there are many verses that prove to be a witness of Tahajjud’s importance in Islam. 

In Surah Al-Isra, verse no.79, Allah has praised those who pray Tahajjud. 

وَمِنَ ٱلَّيْلِ فَتَهَجَّدْ بِهِۦ نَافِلَةًۭ لَّكَ عَسَىٰٓ أَن يَبْعَثَكَ رَبُّكَ مَقَامًۭا مَّحْمُودًۭا  

“Then wake in the later hours of the night to offer more prayers so that your Lord will raise you to a position of praise.” 

In another Surah, Surah Furqan verse no 63-64 Allah explains the qualities of those who worship him at night. 

وَعِبَادُ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلَّذِينَ يَمْشُونَ عَلَى ٱلْأَرْضِ هَوْنًۭا وَإِذَا خَاطَبَهُمُ ٱلْجَـٰهِلُونَ قَالُوا۟ سَلَـٰمًۭا وَٱلَّذِينَ يَبِيتُونَ لِرَبِّهِمْ سُجَّدًۭا وَقِيَـٰمًۭا. 

And the servants of the Most Merciful [Allah] are those who walk easily on the earth, who speak [words of] peace when the ignorant speak to them [harshly], and who devote [part of] the night to their Lord while kneeling and standing [in prayer]. 

Hadith About Tahajjud 

Tahajjud prayer is a great way to get your duas accepted. As Allah subḥānahu wataʿālā descends down to the lowest heaven. According to Hadith, The Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) said,  

“There is a moment in every night when the Muslim does not beg for the benefit of this world or the Next, but it is given to him.” 

In another Hadith, The Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) said, 

“The late hours of the night are when the Lord is nearest to His slave, thus it would be excellent if you could be among those who remember Allah.” 

TAHAJJUD PRAYER FAQS 

Q1. What is the meaning of the word Tahajjud? 

The word “Tahajjud” comes from the word “Hujood”. The literal meaning of the word Tahajjud is “Keeping vigil” in Arabic. It refers to the worship that is done at night time. 

Q2. When is the best time to pray Tahajjud? 

There are many things that need to be clarified about the time when Tahajjud should be prayed. The word “Tahajjud” has many meanings, and one of them is to “give up sleep”. This means it is prayed in the last or third part of the night, preferably after a person has fallen asleep.  

Q3. Is it obligatory to pray Tahajjud? 

Tahajjud prayer is a type of Nafl prayer. Nafl prayers are voluntary and not obligatory. Believers pray nafl prayers to earn extra rewards. 

Q4. What are the benefits of praying Tahajjud? 

There are numerous benefits of praying Tahajjud. Not only you get closer to Allah and find inner peace, but you get everything that you ask for him in Dua. 

Q5. How many rakats are there in Tahajjud?

You can pray a minimum of 2 rakats in Tahajjud.  

Share This:

Quran Online Charity Copyright 2024 - Quran Online Charity - Privacy Policy