Tahajjud, also known as the Night Prayer (or Salat al-Layl), is a highly esteemed voluntary prayer in Islam performed during the late hours of the night, specifically after the Isha prayer and before the Fajr prayer.
The Tahajjud prayer is revered for its spiritual significance, as it involves sacrificing sleep to engage in deep worship and reflection. For those seeking guidance on how to pray Tahajjud, this sacred time offers a unique opportunity for believers to disconnect from worldly concerns and focus solely on their relationship with God.
Tahajjud is an opportunity to seek God’s mercy and blessings through heartfelt supplication. It provides tranquility, allowing worshippers to express their prayers and seek forgiveness. This spiritual practice nurtures the soul and offers benefits for both physical and mental health.
Why should we pray Tahajjud?
The last hours of the night hold special significance for worship and connection to God. Tahajjud prayer embodies selflessness, sacrificing comfort for closeness to the Almighty. Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (a.s) has reportedly said, “There is no good deed performed by a servant except that it has a reward mentioned in the Quran, except for the night prayer. God did not specify its reward due to its great significance to Him.
God states in the Quran, [in reference to Salat al-Layl], “No soul knows what has been hidden for them of joy as a reward for what they used to do.”1 However, narrations have shared with us glimpses of both the worldly and spiritual benefits of Tahajjud.
The Benefits of Tahajjud in this world
- It enlightens the face
- It brings sustenance and blessings
- It is a remedy for your body’s illnesses
The Benefits of Tahajjud in the Afterlife
- Forgiveness of sins committed during the previous day
- It elevates one’s ranks in the afterlife
- It eases one’s questioning on the Day of Judgement
- It brings light to one’s grave
Timing
After praying the Maghreb and Isha prayers, the time set for the Tahajjud prayer lasts until the Adhan of Fajr. However, it is better to pray after midnight, and the closer it is offered to Fajr, the more rewards it comes with.
How to Pray Tahajjud
The Tahajjud prayer may seem complex considering the many nuances and intricacies involved. But that is primarily due to the many mustahab add-ons one can include within their prayer. But some may want to simply perform the bare minimum of Tahajjud. We will first explain how to do so and then provide the mustahab details for those who want to incorporate those into their prayers.
Like any prayer, one must first begin with performing Wudu (Ablution) and dedicate their intention of seeking closeness to God by praying the Tahajjud prayer.
The Tahajjud Prayer is comprised of 3 parts which together amount to a total of 11 Rakat. They are:
The Witr Prayer (1 prayer of 1 Rakat)The Essentials of Tahajjud
The Nafilat al-Layl Prayer (4 Separate prayers 2 Rakat each for a total of 8 Rakat)
The Shaf‘ Prayer (1 prayer of 2 Rakat)
How to Pray Nafilat al-Layl
This part is comprised of a total of 8 Rakat, divided into 4 sets of 2 Rakat.
In each set, it is valid to recite Surah al-Fatiha once, without the need to recite a second Surah after it.
How to Pray the Shaf’ Prayer
Regarding how to pray Shaf’, This part is comprised of only one prayer of 2 Rak’ats. In each Rak’at, it is valid to recite Surah al-Fatiha once, without the need to recite a second Surah after it.
How to Pray Witr Prayer
Regarding how to pray Witr, this prayer consists of only 1 Rakat. Surah al-Fatiha is required once without the need to recite a second Surah after it. The Qunoot is recommended not obligatory. Thereafter, the individual completes their Ruku’ and Sujood and completes their prayer.
Mustahabb Recomendations
After reciting Surah al-Fatiha, it is recommended to recite Surah al-Ikhlas three times. It is also recommended to recite Surah al-Falaq and Surah al-Naas once too.
It is Mustahabb to do the following in the Qunoot:
- Pray for 40 believers by name who are either dead or alive, by repeating 40 times:
“اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِ ــــــــــ” “O God forgive [Name of Believer]”.
- Recite 70 times: “أسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّه وَأتُوبُ إلَيه” “Astaghfirullāh wa atūbu ilayh” ( I seek forgiveness from God, my Lord, and I turn to Him in repentance).
- Recite seven times: “هذا مقام العائذ بك من النار” “Hādhā maqām al-ʿā’idhi bika min al-nār” (This is the position of one who seeks refuge in you from the fire).
- Recite 300 times: “العفو” “Al-‘Afwa” ([I ask for] pardon).
- Recite once: “ربِّ اغفر لي، وارحمني وتُب عليَّ، إنَّكَ أنتَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحيمُ” “Rabbī ighfir lī, wa irḥamni wa tūb ʿalayya, innaka anta al-tawwāb al-raḥīm” (Lord, please forgive me and have mercy upon me and turn back towards me. Verily You are the Oft-Turning back, Most Merciful).
- Request any of your needs and wishes.
Note: While reciting the 70 times “Astaghfirullāh wa atūbu ilayh” or for example, the 300 times “Al-‘Afwa”, you may hold prayer beads (tasbih) or use your hands to keep track.