Tahajjud Prayer

How to perform Tahajjud prayer

Tahajjud is derived from the Arabic root “hajada” meaning: he who was wakeful in the night. Thajjud prayer, also known as Salatul-Layl,was an obligatory prayer for our Prophet (saw) to offer anytime after Isha Prayer. For the Ummah of the Holy Prophet (saw) this particular prayer holds the most merit from all the optional prayers that one can perform.

وَمِنَ اللَّيْلِ فَتَهَجَّدْ بِهِ نَافِلَةً لَكَ عَسَى أَنْ يَبْعَثَكَ رَبُّكَ مَقَامًا مَحْمُودًا

وَقُلْ رَبِّ أَدْخِلْنِي مُدْخَلَ صِدْقٍ وَأَخْرِجْنِي مُخْرَجَ صِدْقٍ وَاجْعَلْ لِي مِنْ لَدُنْكَ سُلْطَانًا نَصِيرًا

وَقُلْ جَاءَ الْحَقُّ وَزَهَقَ الْبَاطِلُ إِنَّ الْبَاطِلَ كَانَ زَهُوقًا

"And on some nights you pray tahajudlah as an additional service for you; hopefully, your God will raise you to a place that commendable. And say: "My God, put me in the correct entry and remove it (also) I'm a right out and give me authority from Thee a help. And say: 'Truth has come and falsehood has vanished. "Truly a vanity that is something that must vanish" Al Israa' : 79 - 81

Time & Performance of Tahajjud :

“The closest that a slave comes to his Lord is during the middle of the latter portion of the night. If you can be among those who remember Allah the Exalted One at that time, then do so.” (At-Tirmidhi)

Our mureeds should observe their tahajjud prayer anytime between: 12:30 am and one hour before Sehri ends.

Although Tahajjud Prayer can be anywhere between 2-8 rakaats, mureeds are asked to perform atleast 4. The tahajjud should be observed such that in each rakaat you recite Surah Fatiha once & Surah Ikhlas three times. It is highly recommended that one wakes up one's own partner for this prayer also. Abu Hurairah quoted the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) as saying:

“May Allah bless the man who gets up during the night to pray and wakes up his wife and who, if she refuses to get up, sprinkles water on her face. And may Allah bless the woman who gets up during the night to pray and wakes up her husband and who, if he refuses, sprinkles water on his face.” (Ahmad)

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) also said :

“If a man wakes his wife and prays during the night or they pray two rak`ahs together, they will be recorded among those (men and women) who (constantly) make remembrance of Allah.” (Abu Dawud.)