Tahajjud prayer:
Tahajjud is a highly recommend (Sunnah Muakkadah) night prayer performed after Isha and before Fajr. It is not obligatory, but it brings immense spiritual rewards and closeness to Allah. The prayer can be performed at any part of the night, with the most preferred time being the last third of the night. Tahajjud also known as qiyam al-layl us one of the greatest acts of a worship a servant can perform. After the obligatory deeds, it is one of the most beloved deeds to Allah. The Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) would always pray Tahajjud. He would not miss Tahajjud even when traveling and when he was ill, he would pray sitting down.
Special about Tahajjud prayer:
Praying Tahajjud is a spiritual act of worship that allows Muslims to connect with Allah during the tranquil hours of the night. It is a Nafal prayer that holds immense blessings and is highly recommended for people who are seeking closeness to Allah and inner place. Tahajjud prayer is that it gives inner strength and mental peace. It also has the capability to avert acts of sin and wickedness.
How to pray Tahajjud prayer:
- After waking up from sleep in the middle of the night, make ablution.
- The Sunnah Tahajjud prayer starts with reciting the Niyyah to pray.
- Give the Takvir and perform a two rakah prayer.
- End the prayer after two rakah's with Salam.
What happens when we pray :
Tahajjud is the prayer that has all the blessings a Muslim needs. This prayer has the power to turn the impossible into possible. It has the power to bring you closer to Allah . It gives you the chance to share your deep thoughts with the Allah.
How powerful is Tahajjud:
Tahajjud is one of the most powerful and rewarding prayers a believer can perform. It is a Nafal prayer, offered in the depths of the night when the world is a sleep creating a special moment of connection between you and Allah Subhan o Ta'ala.
Allah says about Tahajjud:
Allah (SWT) is very pleased with a person who leaves his sleep in the middle of the night, only to worship his lord. Tahajjud prayer can be performed only by the one who is sincere in his love, faith and worship of Allah(SWT) as there can be no show off at this time of the night.
Secret of Tahajjud:
Tahajjud prayer is a special time for a secret conversations between a person and Allah Subhan o Ta'ala. It's important not to boast about performing this prayer. The Salaf, the early generations of Muslims were known for keeping their Tahajjud prayers hidden from others.
Which surah is for Tahajjud:
While any part of the Quran can be recited during Tahajjud prayer, it is recommended to recite Surah Al-Fatiha followed by surah al-Kafiroun in the second. Additionally surah Al-Ala , surah Al kafiroun and surah Al ikhlas are recommended for the witr prayer, which is often performed after Tahajjud.
How many Rakah's in Tahajjud:
Tahajjud prayer can be performed with the minimum of 2 rakah's and can be extended to as many as one can manage, with the prophet often praying 8 or 11 rakah's . It is recommended to pray it in sets of two rakah's followed by the witr prayer.
- Minimum: 2 rakah's
- Recommended: 8 rakah's ( 4 sets of 2 rakah's)
- Maximum: There is no set limit, but the Hazrat Muhammad (S A W) is reported to have prayed up to 11 rakah's including the witr.
- Witr: it is recommended to conclude the Tahajjud prayer with the witr prayer which is typically 1 rakah.
The key aspect of Tahajjud is the sincerity and effort put into the prayer, rather than th specific number of rakah's.
How does Tahajjud change your life:
Tahajjud can be a means of relief. It offers a chance to reset spiritually, physically and emotionally as it's during these quiet hours that can reflect, ask for forgiveness and seek divine help for any challenge faced.
Can we pray Tahajjud without sleeping:
Yes, it is permissible to pray Tahajjud without sleeping first. While the Sunnah is to sleep and then wake up for Tahajjud, particularly during the last third of the night, it is not a requirement for the prayer's validity. If one prays voluntary prayer in the middle of the night after Isha and before fajr, it is considered Tahajjud or Qiyam Al layl regardless of whether they slept or not. The reward for praying Tahajjud after waking up from sleep is considered greater due to the struggle against sleep, but Allah will still reward the sincerity and devotion if those who pray without sleeping according to fiqh.
Effects of Tahajjud:
Tahajjud prayer holds profound spiritual, emotional and physical benefits. It strengthen one's connection with Allah, serves as a means of forgiveness, and elevates one's rank in paradise.
Can I pray Tahajjud without Ablution:
No, you cannot pray Tahajjud without Ablution. Ablution is a prerequisites for all obligatory and voluntary prayers, including Tahajjud. It is a form of purification that must be performed before prayer.
Explanation:
Ablution is essential:
Performing wudu is a mandatory step before offering any Prayer in Islam, including Tahajjud, according to Islamic scholars.
Tahajjud is a voluntary prayer:
While Tahajjud is a voluntary prayer, it is still subject to the same rules as other prayers, including the requirements of Ablution.
Purification:
Ablution is a purification ritual that cleanses the body before engaging in prayer, which is a form of worship and communication with Allah.
Invalid prayer:
If you pray Tahajjud without Ablution,your prayers will be considered invalid, according to religious rulings.
How to pray Tahajjud namaz step by step:
To pray Tahajjud, start with a sincere intention to seek Allah's pleasure. Perform Ablution, find a quiet place, and begin with two rakah's. After each set of two rakah's you can recite the tashuhhud and Salam. You can pray as many Rakah's as you like, with a minimum of two, and end with Witr
Intention:
Make a sincere intention in your heart to pray Tahajjud for the sake of Allah.
Ablution:
Perform Ablution as you would for any other prayer.
Find a quiet place:
Choose a clean and quiet place where you can pray without distraction.
Number of rakah's:
You can pray as many Rakah's as you wish,but the minimum is two. It's recommended to pray in sets of two concluding with a Salam after each set.
First rakah:
- Stand facing the Qibla(direction of the Kaaba paak in Makkah).
- Raise your hand to raise your ears and say Allahu Akbar ( Allah is the greatest).
- Recite Surah Al-Fatiha, followed by another surah or at least three verses .
- Ruku and say Subhana Rabiyal Adheem three times.
- Stand up straight and say "Sami Allahuma liman Hamidah" and "Rabbana lakal hamd" .
- Prostrate(Sujud) and say " Subhana Rabiyal A'laaa" ,three times.
- Sit up briefly then prostrate again, repeating the same supplications.
Second rakah:
Repeat the steps of the first rakah.
Tashuhhud and Salam:
After the second rakah sit and recite the tashuhhud , followed by the Salam.
Additional rakah's :
You can continue praying additional rakah's in sets of two, repeating the same steps.
Witr:
It's recommended to end your Tahajjud prayer with Witr, which is an odd number of rakah's ( usually one, three, five).
Supplications:
After the prayer, you can make personal supplications to Allah.
What Allah (SWT) says about Tahajjud:
Allah (SWT) is very pleased with a person who leaves his sleep in the middle of the night, only to worship his Lord. Tahajjud prayer can be performed only by the one who is sincere in his love, faith and worship of Allah as there can be no show off at this time of the night .
Secret of Tahajjud:
Tahajjud prayer is a special time for a secret conversation between a person and Allah . It's important not to boast about performing this prayer.The Salaf the early generations of Muslims , were known for keeping their Tahajjud prayers hidden from others.
Read after Tahajjud prayer:
After completing Tahajjud prayer, it is recommended to recite specific Duas and supplications, including those found in the Quran and Sunnah, and to engage in personal Dua for forgiveness, blessings, and guidance. The witr prayer which is an odd. Numbered prayer, is also recommended to be performed after Tahajjud.
Specific recommendations for after Tahajjud:
Duas:
- Prophet's Dua: Recite the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) supplications after Tahajjud ,as found in authentic Hadith collections. One example is "O Allah, to you I submitted, and in you I have believed, and upon you I have relied, and to you I have turned in repentance and by you I argue and I to you I refer for judgement. So forgive me for what is past and what is to come and what I have concealed what I have done openly. You are the one who sends forward and the one who delays. There is no God but you ".
- Dua Hazeen: This Dua us often recited after Tahajjud and is supplication for forgiveness and guidance.
- Other Duas: You can recite any Duas that are meaningful to you, focusing on seeking Allah's mercy, forgiveness and blessings for yourself and others.
Quran recitation :
- Long surahs: Reciting length Surah's like Al-Baqarah, Al-Imran, Al-Nisa can be beneficial during the quiet time after Tahajjud.
- Surah al-A'ala, al-Kafiroun, and al-Ikhlas: These are recommended surahs to recite in the three rakah's of the witr prayer if it is performed after Tahajjud.
Witr prayer:
- This is a sunnah prayer that should be performed after Tahajjud with an odd number of rakah's.
Reflection and Dua:
- The time after Tahajjud is a time for deep reflection and personal supplication. Use this time to connect with Allah, contemplate his blessings and ask for your needs and desires.
Conditions for Tahajjud:
Tahajjud prayer is usually performed After Isha ( which is the compulsory nighty prayer) and before performing fajr ( the mandatory morning prayer). Ideally it is offered during the last third of the night, the time before Fajr. But it can also be offered anytime throughout the night after Isha.
How to observe Tahajjud:
From that if is clear that the Sunnah with regard to Tahajjud and witr includes several things:
1. The worshipper should offer his prayers two rakah's by two, so he should separate each two rakah's of his prayer with the taslim.
2. He should start with Tahajjud first, ana pray as much as Allah wills that he should pray.
Importance of Tahajjud in Islam:
1. Closeness to Allah:
- The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said:
"The closest that a servant comes to his lord during the last part of night ."
- Allah descends to the lowest heaven in the final third of the night, seeking those who call on him, promising to answer give and forgive.
2. Best prayer after obligatory ones:
- It is the most virtuous prayer after the five daily prayers. " The best prayer after the obligatory prayers is the night prayer".
3. High spiritual station:
- Quran - Surah Al-Isra says performing night prayer may elevate one to a "praised station."
4. Purification :
- Tahajjud expiates sins, repel illness and deter wrongdoing.
5. Forgiveness of sins:
- Facing Allah at night is a prime time for repentance, sins are forgiven during the sacred hour.
6. Answered supplications :
- Prayers offered in the last third of the night are especially powerful:
"The Dua made at Tahajjud is like an arrow tha never misses it's target."
7. Inner peace and mental strength:
- The quiet night hours bring calm, clarity and focus reducing stress and fostering mindfulness
- One reddit user shared:
"My heart throws any worries away....if feels less heavy and it gain happiness more easier".
8. Discipline:
- Rising at night strengthen willpower and cultivates spiritual discipline. The Prophet Muhammad SAW emphasized moderation and constancy:
"The most beloved deeds to Allah are those which are consistent even if small."
9. Gateway to Paradise:
- The Prophet Muhammad SAW mentioned that Tahajjud performers earn special rooms in Paradise.
Dua for Tahajjud prayer :
اللَّهُمَّ لَكَ الحَمْدُ، أَنْتَ نُورُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ وَمَنْ فِيهِنَّ، وَلَكَ الحَمْدُ، أَنْتَ قَيِّمُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ وَمَنْ فِيهِنَّ، وَلَكَ الحَمْدُ، أَنْتَ رَبُّ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ وَمَنْ فِيهِنَّ. أَنْتَ الحَقُّ، وَوَعْدُكَ الحَقُّ، وَلِقَاؤُكَ حَقٌّ، وَقَوْلُكَ حَقٌّ، وَالجَنَّةُ حَقٌّ، وَالنَّارُ حَقٌّ، وَالنَّبِيُّونَ حَقٌّ، وَمُحَمَّدٌ 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 إِلَهِي، لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ أَنْتَ
Transliteration:
> Allāhumma laka al-ḥamdu anta nūru as-samāwāti wal-arḍi wa man fīhinna, wa laka al-ḥamdu anta qayyimu as-samāwāti wal-arḍi wa man fīhinna, wa laka al-ḥamdu anta rabb as-samāwāti wal-arḍi wa man fīhinna. Anta al-ḥaqq, wa wa‘duka al-ḥaqq, wa liqā’uka ḥaqq, wa qawluka ḥaqq, wal-jannatu ḥaqq, wan-nāru ḥaqq, wan-nabiyyūna ḥaqq, wa Muḥammadun ḥaqq, was-sā‘atu ḥaqq. Allāhumma laka aslamtu, wa bika āmantu, wa ‘alayka tawakkaltu, wa ilayka anabtu, wa bika khāṣamtu, wa ilayka ḥākamtu, faghfir lī mā qaddamtu wa mā akhkhartu, wa mā asrartu wa mā a‘lantu, anta ilāhī, lā ilāha illā anta.
Conclusion :
Tahajjud is not just optional prayer it's a spiritual investment. It draws believers closer to Allah, purifies the heart strengthen discipline and unlocks his mercy and guidance. Whether in the stillness of night or the solitude if dawn Tahajjud stands as a beautiful avenue for deep connection with the Divine. After Tahajjud you should make heartfelt Dua, seek forgiveness do zikr, and conclude with the witr prayer if not already done.