Tahajjud is one of the most rewarding voluntary prayers in Islam. This special night prayer holds immense significance in a Muslim’s spiritual journey. Tahajjud is performed after Isha and before Fajr in the last third of the night. However, most people often get confused about how to pray tahajjud.
The practice of waking up in the stillness of the night to pray brings believers closer to Allah and provides a unique opportunity to seek His mercy and guidance. Though Tahajjud is not obligatory it is an invite from the Almighty. Hence, many devoted Muslims try to incorporate it into their daily lives as a form of worship. The most important thing is that at this time, the door of repentance is wide open.
However, many believers often don’t know how to pray Tahajjud and overlook the importance of this night prayer. Little do they know what they are missing out on.
The Importance of Tahajjud Prayer
The Tahajjud prayer is highly emphasised in Islamic teachings. This prayer is believed to be the most virtuous among the Nafl prayers as it is part of the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). It is mentioned in the Quran and reinforced by numerous hadiths of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
Reference From Quran:
” وَمِنَ ٱلَّيْلِ فَتَهَجَّدْ بِهِۦ نَافِلَةًۭ لَّكَ عَسَىٰٓ أَن يَبْعَثَكَ رَبُّكَ مَقَامًۭا مَّحْمُودًۭا “
Translation: ” And rise at ‘the last’ part of the night, offering additional prayers, so your Lord may raise you to a station of praise. ” (Quran, 17:79)
Reference From Hadith:
Abu Hurayra (Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Messenger of Allah, our beloved Prophet (PBUH) said,
“Our Lord (glorified and exalted be He) descends each night to the earth’s sky when there remains the final third of the night, and He says: ‘Who is saying a prayer to Me that I may answer it? Who is asking something of Me that I may give it him? Who is asking forgiveness of Me that I may forgive him?’” [Bukhari (also by Muslim, Malik, at-Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud)]
The hadith alone shows how important this phase of the night is for the believer. It is even advised by all the scholars that if one wishes to get anything, they must then ask it in Tahajjud. Otherwise, they don’t want it bad enough.
How To Pray Tahajjud: The Proper Methodology
Tahajjud is supposed to be prayed minimum of 2 Raka’ats each. The Sunnah is to pray up to 8 Raka’ats in total with 2 sets each. However, a believer can pray as many as they want until the fajr prayer given that there are at least two rak’ahs with one salutation (salam) for every two rak’ahs.
Before beginning, one must prepare themselves by performing Wudu (ablution), then find a quiet and clean space for prayer.
Here are the step-by-step instructions on how to pray Tahajjud:
1. The Sunnah Tahajjud prayer starts with reciting the Niyyah (Intention) to pray. This Niyyah can be in the same way as the obligatory prayer or one can recite:
” أُصَلِّي سُنَّةَ التَهَجُّد رَكعَتَينِ لِلَّهِ تَعَالَى “
Translation: I intend to pray the Sunnah prayer of Tahajjud two raka’at for Allah s.w.t.
2. Once you have made your Niyyah, give the Takbir (Allahu-akbar) and perform two Raka’at prayers.
3. End the prayer after two Raka’at with salam.
4. Add your own prayers (dua) after you’ve completed the number of Raka’ats you set out to pray. Make sure that they are sincere, respectful and done in complete devotion to Allah. This is the ideal moment to be as vulnerable as possible.
5. Once the Tahajjud prayer is complete, it must be ended with a final Witr Salah. The Witr Prayer is the last prayer of the night.
Extra: Dua For Tahajjud
As narrated by Ibn `Abbas (R.A): When the Prophet (ﷺ) got up at night to offer the Tahajjud prayer, he used to say:
اللَّهُمَّ لَكَ الْحَمْدُ أَنْتَ نُورُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ وَمَنْ فِيهِنَّ، وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ أَنْتَ قَيِّمُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ وَمَنْ فِيهِنَّ، وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ أَنْتَ الْحَقُّ، وَوَعْدُكَ الْحَقُّ، وَقَوْلُكَ الْحَقُّ، وَلِقَاؤُكَ حَقٌّ، وَالْجَنَّةُ حَقٌّ، وَالنَّارُ حَقٌّ، وَالسَّاعَةُ حَقٌّ، وَالنَّبِيُّونَ حَقٌّ، وَمُحَمَّدٌ حَقٌّ، اللَّهُمَّ لَكَ أَسْلَمْتُ، وَعَلَيْكَ تَوَكَّلْتُ، وَبِكَ آمَنْتُ، وَإِلَيْكَ أَنَبْتُ، وَبِكَ خَاصَمْتُ، وَإِلَيْكَ حَاكَمْتُ، فَاغْفِرْ لِي مَا قَدَّمْتُ وَمَا أَخَّرْتُ، وَمَا أَسْرَرْتُ وَمَا أَعْلَنْتُ أَنْتَ الْمُقَدِّمُ وَأَنْتَ الْمُؤَخِّرُ لا إِلَهَ إِلا أَنْتَ وَلا إِلَهَ غَيْرُكَ
<p>Translation: “Oh Allah, to You be praise, You are the light of the heavens and the earth, and everyone therein. To You be praise; You are the holder of the heavens and the earth, and everyone therein. To You be praise; You are True; Your promise is true; Paradise is true; Hell is true; the Hour is true; the Prophets are true and Muhammad is true. To You have I submitted; in You I put my trust and in You I have believed. To You I turn in repentance; by Your help I argue; to You I refer my case; so, forgive me for my past and future sins, what I have done in secret and what I have done openly. You are the One Who brings forward and puts back. None has the right to be worshipped but You, and there is none who has the right to be worshipped other than You.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 1120)</strong>
Tahajjud in Ramadan
During Ramadan, the significance of Tahajjud increases manifold. Many Muslims observe it in the form of Qiyam-ul-Layl or Tarawih. Here is why Tahajjud is very important to be prayed in Ramadan.
- Laylatul Qadr: Praying Tahajjud during the last ten nights of Ramadan holds special blessings as it may coincide with Laylatul Qadr, a night better than a thousand months (Quran 97:3).
- Extra Rewards: Since deeds are multiplied in Ramadan, praying Tahajjud becomes even more rewarding.
- A Habit for the Whole Year: Ramadan trains Muslims to engage in extra prayers, and those who regularly pray Tahajjud during this month can continue even after Ramadan ends.
Tahajjud Time in Karachi
In Karachi, you can pray Tahajjud between 9:01 PM and 5:11 AM (preferably the latter). In Islamic tradition, the last third of the night is from approximately 2.30 AM to dawn, which is why this time is most recommended.
Read More: Ramadan 2025: Countries Fasting the Longest and Shortest Hours
Tips for Consistently Praying Tahajjud
Now that you know how to pray Tahajjud, it is also important that you pray consistently so that you can maximise the benefits of this night. Make it a habit by these methods:
- Avoid distractions that lead to late sleeping.
- Set multiple alarms if needed to wake up on time.
- Encourage a friend or family member to join you.
- Make the intention to seek closeness to Allah rather than just a routine.
- Remember the immense rewards promised for Tahajjud.
Attain the Most Out of this Night
There is no doubt that Tahajjud prayer strengthens faith, purifies the soul and draws one closer to Allah’s mercy. There are multiple miracle stories about this night vigil prayer that speak for themselves.
However, to attain all these benefits, you must know how to pray Tahajjud properly and by Sunnah and Hadith. Then only will you be able to avail the most of this night and attain a higher spiritual status.
May Allah grant us all the ability to consistently pray Tahajjud and accept our prayers. Ameen.
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