Tahajjud– A Complete Guide

Tahajjud or Islamic night prayer is the voluntary (Nafl) prayer offered after isha and before the fajr prayer. It is one of the most beneficial and sacred practices in Islam. Tahajjud prayer is a believer’s manifestation of devotion and deep connection with the creator. It is the best way to wheedle Allah for the forgiveness of sins and fulfillment of personal news. Tahajjud salaah invokes spiritual elevation, providing inner peace and moral standards. 

Tahajjud Meaning

Tahajjud is an Arabic word derived from Hujud, the literal meaning of hujud is to wake after sleep, to avoid sleep for prayer, or to keep vigil. Tahajjud Meaning in the Islamic concept is to perform voluntary salah after awakening from sleep though it is for a minimum time. It is highly recommended in Islam and the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (SAW). 

What Is Tahajjud Prayer 

Before delving into what is Tahajjud prayer, we will look at the kind of prayers in Islam.

Praying is a physical worship in Islam. Five prayers have been enjoined on Muslims in the holy Quran–Farz. Besides the Farz, there is sunnah salah, offered by the Prophet of Allah (SAW), and additional voluntary prayer (Nafl). 

The Tahajud prayer falls in the category of optional and voluntary (Nafl) and is supposed to be performed in the middle or last 3rd of the night. A person is required to sleep a little before he gets up for the Tahajjud prayer. 

Reference Of Tahjjud Salaah In The Quran 

In the holy Quran Allah recurrently mentions Tahjjud Salaah, highlighting its importance. Different  phrases and words have been used for Salatul Layl.

Hadith About Tahajjud

The Holy Prophet SAW has taught lessons about every aspect of life. Several Hadith about Tahajjud are narrated by the companions that underline the importance of tahajjud. The Messenger of Allah(PBUH) said:

'The best prayer after the obligatory (fard) prayers is prayer at night and the best fasting after the month of Ramadan is Al-Muharram.' (Sunan an-Nasai 1614)

According to the hadith of  Hazrat Abu Umamah R.A., it was said:  “O Messenger of Allah, which dua is heard?” He said: “In the last third of the night, and following the prescribed prayers.”( Al-Tirmidhi, 3499)

Tahajjud Time

Tahajjud time begins after the Isha and lasts till the time of the Fajr. It is confirmed from several Hadiths that the Holy Prophet SAW offered prayer in the first part of the night, in the middle, and in the last third of the night. However, the last part of the night is considered the best time for tahajjud and the Holy prophet SAW frequently offered prayer in this time.

Time for tahajjud may differ in different countries, for instance, tahajjud time in Pakistan varies from tahajjud time in India, or tahajjud time in London. 

Hazrat Abdullah bin Amr bin Al As narrates that;

“Allah's Messenger (PBUH) told me, "The most beloved prayer to Allah is that of David (Dawud A.S), and the most beloved fasts to Allah are those of David. He used to sleep for half of the night and then pray for one-third of the night and again sleep for its sixth part and used to fast on alternate days.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 1132)

Tahajjud Dua

Tahajjud Dua is a powerful supplication read by the Messenger of Allah at the time of prayer. There are several supplications our beloved Prophet PBUh used to recite. The Tahajud dua, which was frequently recited is mentioned below. Numerous benefits of tahajjud dua have been reported in Hadith.

Tahajjud Dua In Arabic

ttering the Tahajjud dua in Arabic holds great virtue and is highly recommended. Believers need to memorize and recite it at the time of tahajjud. 

Hazrat Ibn Abbas R.A. narrates Hadith (Sahih al-Bukhari 1120) that when the Prophet (SAW) got up at night to offer the Tahajjud prayer, He used to say:

Tahajjud Dua Transliteration 

Muslims around the globe can’t read and understand Arabic. Tahajjud dua transliteration will assist the worshippers to memorize and read it easily. Here is the transliteration of thahajath dua in Roman English.

Allahumma lakal-hamd. Anta qaiyyimus-samawati wal-ard wa man fihinna. Walakal-hamd, Laka mulkus-samawati wal-ard wa man fihinna. Walakal-hamd, anta nurus-samawati wal-ard. Wa lakal-hamd, anta-l-haq wa wa'duka-lhaq, wa liqa'uka Haq, wa qauluka Haq, wal-jannatu Han wan-naru Haq wannabiyuna Haq. Wa Muhammadun, sallal-lahu'alaihi wasallam, Haq, was-sa'atu Haq. Allahumma aslamtu Laka wabika amantu, wa 'Alaika tawakkaltu, wa ilaika anabtu wa bika khasamtu, wa ilaika hakamtu faghfir li ma qaddamtu wama akh-khartu wama as-rartu wama'a lantu, anta-l-muqaddim wa anta-l-mu akh-khir, la ilaha illa anta (or la ilaha ghairuka)

Translation of Tahajjud Dua In English

The translation of important supplications allows to understand the teaching of  the sacred phrase. Translation of Tahajjud dua in English will assist Muslims around the globe in understanding the meaning of this dua.

“(O Allah! All the praises are for you, You are the Holder of the Heavens and the Earth, And whatever is in them. All the praises are for You; You have the possession of the Heavens and the Earth And whatever is in them. All the praises are for You; You are the Light of the Heavens and the Earth And all the praises are for You; You are the King of the Heavens and the Earth; And all the praises are for You; You are the Truth and Your Promise is the truth, And to meet You is true, Your Word is the truth And Paradise is true And Hell is true And all the Prophets (Peace be upon them) are true, And Muhammad is true, And the Day of Resurrection is true. O Allah! I surrender (my will) to You; I believe in You and depend on You. And repent to You, And with Your help, I argue (with my opponents, the non-believers) And I take You as a judge (to judge between us). Please forgive me my previous And future sins, And whatever I concealed or revealed And You are the One who make (some people) forward And (some) backward. There is none to be worshipped but you.”

Rakat Of Tahajjud

The method of offering Salatul Layl is the same as of the regular prayers, however, the numbers of Rakaat differ. Tahajud rakat may vary from two to twelve Rakaat. Two Rakat of Tahajjud is considered a minimum limit. According to different Hadiths, the Holy Prophet PBUH prayed up to thirteen Rakaat in the night prayer. Tahajjud Rakats are offered in pairs, that is, to pray two Rakaat, offer a salutation (salam), and pray another two. 

With the two Namaz Tahajjud Rakat, the holy Prophet used to pray one additional rakat of Witr. 

Hazrat Ibn Abbas R. A. narrates that;

Masruq Ibn Abraha R.H narrates;

“I asked  Hazrat Aisha R.A about the night prayer of Allah's Messenger (SAW) and she said, "It was seven, nine or eleven Rakaat besides the two Rakaat of the Fajr prayer (i.e. Sunna).” (Sahih al-Bukhari 1139)

Hazrat Ayesha R.A. states that:

‘The Prophet (PBUH) used to offer thirteen Rakaat of the night prayer and that included the Witr and two Rakaat (Sunna) of the Fajr prayer’. (Sahih al-Bukhari 1140)

Hazrat Abdullah Bin Abbas mentions that;

I stood beside the Prophet PBUH. The Messenger of Allah (saw) put his right hand on my neck, and took hold of my right hand, and tweaked it. Then he prayed two Rakahs, then two Rakahs, then two Rakahs, then two Rakahs, then two Rakahs, then two Rakahs, then he prayed witr. Then he lay down until the Mu'adhdhin came to him and he prayed two brief rak'ahs." (Sunan an-Nasa'i 1620)

Prerequisites of Salat Tahajjud Prayer

Salat Tahajjud Prayer is a special prayer offered to show devotion to the creator, seeking forgiveness of sins, and fulfillment of needs. There are some prerequisites of Namaz e tahajjud.

• Sleep before offering Namaz e Tahajjud. It is considered compulsory to sleep. So, make arrangements to wake up accordingly.
• Make proper Wudu (ablution). Take a bath if needed.
• Clean your mouth with a Miswak or brush. Whenever the Prophet (SAW) got up for Tahajjud prayer he used to clean his mouth (and teeth) with Siwak. (Sahih al-Bukhari 1136)
• Dress modestly and wear clean clothes. 
• Go to the Masjid or you can offer in a calm and peaceful place to avoid distraction.
• Forget and remove all the worldly desires and worries from your heart.

How To Perform Tahajjud Prayer 

Tahajjud prayer is offered in the same way that regular ( obligatory) prayers are. Let’s look at how to perform Tahajjud prayer.

• First of all, make an intention for tahajjud, saying “I intend to perform two rakaat of salat Tahajjud for the sake of Allah. 
• Say Takbeer (Allahu Akber), the prayer starts now.
• After Tamheed (reading Subhanaka), recite Surah Al-Fatiha and any verse from the Holy Quran.
• Go to Rukuu, and recite ‘Subahana Rabbial Azeem’ at least three times. 
• Stand straight for a while, and bow to sajdah.
• In Sajdah, recite Subahaana Rabbiyal Aalaa at least thrice. 
• Complete two sajdahs consecutively. 
• After completing sajdah rise for the second Rakat. 
• In the second rakat repeat the process of the first step till sajdah. 
• After completing the sajdah of the second Rakaat, sit for Tashahud.
• In Tashahud, recite Attahiyyat, Darood e Ibrahimi followed by Rabbana Dua. 
• Offer salutation by turning your face in the right and left direction saying Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullah.

Now two rakat of tahajjud are completed. You can pray another two Rakaat and so on.

Difference Between Qiyam al Layl and Tahajjud

Two concepts are mentioned in the Quran regarding worshipping during the night, Qiyam al Layl and Tahajud prayer. Most believers consider these two as the same but they are not. There is a difference between Qiyam al Layl and Tahajjud.

Qayam ul Lail means to stay at night. It specifically refers to being involved in any act of worship such as offering voluntary prayer, reading the Holy Quran, and doing dhikr (remembering Allah). It may be for the whole night, part of it, or even for the minimum time.

While the Tahajud prayer refers to only praying at night–no other kind of worship is performed. Some scholars mention that waking after sleep is compulsory for Tahajud but not for Qiyam.

Tahajjud Prayer Benefits

Tahajjud is the most beneficial voluntary prayer. Its benefits in this world and the world hereafter are numerous. Let’s enlist some of the Tahajjud prayer benefits.

Acceptance Of Dua In Tahajjud

The night prayer is of great importance for the acceptance of the. The acceptance of dua in tahajjud is guaranteed in the Hadith.

According to the hadith of Abu Umamah, it was said: “O Messenger of Allah, which dua is heard?” He said: “In the last third of the night, and following the prescribed prayers.”( Al-Tirmidhi, 3499)

 Spiritual Elevation

Tahajjud time is the part of the night when Allah Almighty descends to the lowest heaven. Whoever remembers Allah in this part of the night gets the highest spiritual rank. Our beloved Messenger (p.b.u.h) said:

“Our Lord, the Blessed, the Superior, comes every night down on 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?" (Sahih al-Bukhari 1145)

Forgiveness Of Sins

Salat Tahajjud Prayer is the best and easiest medium to wheedle Allah to forgive the sins. Allah accepts all those supplications sought with sincerity and wholeheartedly. In this part of the night, if one awakes, his heart should be instilled with sincerity and devotion.

Fulfillment Of Needs

The establishment of Salatul Layl ensures the fulfillment of needs. By praying this Salah, believers put all their trust in Allah and He never disappoints His believers. Allah says in the Holy Quran;

“And provides him (with what he needs) from where he does not even imagine. And whoever places his trust in Allah, He is sufficient for him. Surely Allah is to accomplish His purpose. Allah has set a measure for everything.” (65:3)

Conclusion

Tahajjud also known as Salatul Layl is a heartfelt devotional voluntary prayer. The Holy Quran recurrently emphasizes the establishment of this prayer. It holds immense significance in the life of believers, encompassing spiritual and worldly benefits. Muslims should make a routine of establishing Tahajud prayer and encourage their children to offer it.