Tahajjud Prayer

Table of Contents

How many rak’ahs of Tahajjud prayer and what is the best time to perform it?

What is Tahajjud Prayer?

Tahajjud prayer is an optional prayer that is performed during the night after sleeping for a while. This prayer, recited in solitude, is the door to prayer and meeting with Allah Ta’ala. A lot of its virtues have been described in the hadiths of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).

How Many Rakaah in Tahjjud Prayer?

The number of rak’ahs of Tahajjud prayer is not fixed, and one can perform as many rak’ahs as they like. However, it is recommended to perform Tahajjud in sets of two rak’ahs, with a minimum of two rak’ahs and a maximum of eight rak’ahs.

Time of Tahajjud Prayer?

The time to perform Tahajjud prayer starts after the Isha prayer and ends before the Fajr prayer. The recommended time to perform Tahajjud prayer is during the last third of the night, which is calculated by dividing the time between the Isha and Fajr prayers into three parts. For example, if the time between Isha and Fajr is 6 hours, the last third of the night would be the last 2 hours before Fajr prayer.

After the Isha prayer, lie down on the bed and sleep, get up at any time of the mid night and offer the Tahjud prayer, the best time is midnight and late night. If you are likely sure to get up for Tahajjud, you can skip the Witr rikah of Isha, in this case, recite the Witr rikah at the end with the Tahajjud prayer, so including the eight Nawafl-i Tahjud, the total will be eleven rak’ahs. If waking up at night is not certain, it is better to read Witr with Isha prayer.

Umm al-Mu’minin Hazrat Aisha Siddiqa (Razi Allah unhuma) narrates that the Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) used to pray eleven rak’ats at night: How ?

“With one rakah, all the rak’ahs would be made odd, after finishing the tahajjud prayer, he would lie down on his right crotch (karwet) until the muezzin came to him, then he would recite two rak’ahs (Sunnah Fajr) briefly.”

Tahajjud prayer is considered a voluntary prayer in Islam, and it is highly encouraged for Muslims to perform it, especially during the month of Ramadan. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) used to perform Tahajjud prayer regularly, and he encouraged his companions to do so as well.

The benefits of performing Tahajjud prayer are numerous. It is a time when Muslims can connect with Allah on a deeper level and seek forgiveness for their sins. It is also a time when they can ask for blessings and guidance in their daily lives. Tahajjud prayer is believed to have a purifying effect on the soul, and it can help individuals become more conscious of their actions and behavior throughout the day.

In addition to the spiritual benefits, there are also physical benefits to performing Tahajjud prayer. Waking up in the middle of the night to pray can improve one’s sleep patterns and promote a more healthy and balanced lifestyle. It can also help individuals to feel more energized and productive throughout the day.

It is important to note that while Tahajjud prayer is highly recommended, it should not be used as a way to show off or gain recognition from others. It is a personal act of worship, and the intention should always be to please Allah and seek His blessings.

It is Sunnah of The Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhmmad (S.A.W)

It was narrated from Hazrat Abdullah bin Amr (RA) that the Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) said: The most beloved of all Nafl prayers to Allah is the Salat of Dawud, peace be upon him. He used to sleep in the middle of the night (then wake up) perform worship for a third of the night and then sleep in the sixth part.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Tahajjud prayer is a voluntary prayer that is highly recommended in Islam. It is a time when Muslims can connect with Allah on a deeper level and seek His forgiveness and blessings. While it is not obligatory, it is a virtuous act of worship that can have numerous spiritual and physical benefits. Muslims should strive to make Tahajjud prayer a regular part of their daily routine, especially during the holy month of Ramadan.