This article was written by Mehedi Hasan. For more of Mehedi Hasan’s Islamic content, visit spreadingwisdom.com
How To Pray Tahajjud: A Step-By-Step Guide
There is no special or unique method for the tahajjud prayer. You should perform it as you would any other voluntary (nafl) prayer. The tahajjud prayer is offered in units of two rak’ahs, and there is no set limit to the number of rak’ahs you can pray. You may offer two, four, six, eight, twenty, or even more rak’ahs. The number is not a matter of concern. However, focus more on the quality of your prayer rather than the quantity.
One important thing to remember is that the Witr prayer should be your final prayer before Fajr.
1. Intention (Niyyah)
Like with any act of worship in Islam, your intention matters. Before you begin, make a sincere intention to perform Tahajjud solely for the pleasure of Allah. This intention doesn’t need to be verbalized—let it reside in your heart. You can read this post to know more about the importance of Niyyah.
2. Perform Wudu
Ensure that you are in a state of purity by performing Wudu (ablution). This step is essential as it prepares you for standing before Allah in prayer.
3. Find A Quiet Space
Choose a peaceful, quiet time to perform Tahajjud. The last third of the night is considered the most blessed, but any time after Isha until Fajr is acceptable. When the world is still and distractions are few, it becomes easier to focus on your connection with Allah.
4. Recite The Quran
In each rak’ah, after reciting Surah Al-Fatiha, you can choose any other Surah from the Quran. Some scholars recommend reciting Surah Al-Ikhlas, Surah Al-Falaq, and Surah An-Nas for protection and blessings. You can recite multiple Surah in every rak’ah. Try to recite very calmly and try to understand the words of Allah Almighty. Because it helps to build a connection with Allah Almighty.
5. Number Of Rak’ahs
There is no fixed number of rak’ahs for Tahajjud. You can pray in sets of two rak’ahs, continuing until you feel content. Whether you perform two rak’ahs or twenty, what matters is the sincerity of your prayer. If you don’t know how to perform 2 rak’ah of Nafl prayer, you can read this post.
6. Make Du’a
After completing your prayer, take a moment to sit and make Du’a. Pour out your heart to Allah during this blessed time when prayers are more likely to be accepted. Whether you seek forgiveness, guidance, or help in any area of your life, this is the perfect time to ask. So ask more and more to the Almighty Allah, Lord of the everything.
7. Perform Witr Prayer
This is the last thing to this step by step guide. Because we know from the Hadith that witr should be the last prayer of the night. Here’s a relative Hadith on this matter,
- Ibn ‘Umar said:
He who prayed at night should make Witr the end of his prayer, for the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) ordered this.[⁸]
Exception For The Witr Prayer
In the hadith mentioned earlier, we are encouraged to offer the Witr prayer as the final prayer of the night. However, there is an exception to this rule. If someone fears that they may not wake up during the night to perform tahajjud, they are permitted to pray Witr right after Isha before going to sleep. But if a person is confident that they will wake up for tahajjud, then it is preferable to pray Witr after completing the tahajjud prayer. This is the general practice as per the Sunnah.
Benefits Of Tahajjud Prayer In Islam
Benefits of Tahajjud prayer immense in Islam. It includes Spiritual benefits, Mental benefits, Physical benefits and many more. Below I well provide you these three benefits in a nutshell:
The Spiritual Benefits Of Night Prayer In Islam
Now, let’s talk about the impact that Tahajjud can have on your spiritual life. Tahajjud is more than just a prayer; it’s a time for deep personal reflection and connection with Allah. When you rise in the stillness of the night, you’re making a conscious decision to leave the comfort of your bed and stand before your Creator. This act alone is a profound demonstration of faith and devotion. And that is what Allah Almighty truly loves. Tahajjud Prayer makes us spiritually strong. It gives us a relief from worldly distraction.
The Mental Benefits Of Tahajjud Salah
By performing tahajjud, we receive Mental Clarity and Inner Peace. Which is really important in our life. We are all running after it. Many people who regularly perform Tahajjud report a sense of calmness and clarity that carries into their daily lives. The quiet of the night helps to clear the mind, reduce anxiety, and provide a sense of emotional stability. The act of prayer and meditation has been shown to lower stress levels and improve mental health.
Physical Benefits Of Night Prayer
There is also a physical aspect to Tahajjud that should not be overlooked. The gentle movements of the prayer, combined with the deep breathing and relaxation that accompanies worship, can help improve overall physical health. Regular prayer has been linked to better sleep, lower blood pressure, and reduced stress. And it’s a really good teaching for maintaining discipline in our life. It also teaches us how to manage time and many more.
Strengthening The Connection With Allah
Tahajjud is a voluntary act of worship performed during the last part of the night when the world is quiet and distractions are minimal. This intimate time fosters a deep, personal connection with Allah. It allows believers to engage in sincere supplication, reflect on their relationship with the Creator, and seek His guidance and forgiveness. This closeness nurtures a stronger sense of faith and spiritual awareness.
Increase In Divine Blessings And Mercy
Waking up for Tahajjud demonstrates a sincere commitment to Allah and a desire to draw closer to Him. This dedication often leads to an increase in divine blessings and mercy. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) emphasized that during the last third of the night, Allah descends to the lowest heaven and listens to the prayers of those who are awake, asking for His forgiveness, mercy, and provision. This special time offers an unparalleled opportunity for believers to earn Allah’s favor and have their supplications answered.
Avoiding Common Mistakes In Tahajjud Prayer
Performing Tahajjud is a deeply rewarding experience, but there are some common mistakes to avoid to ensure that your prayer is performed correctly:
- Neglecting the Intention: Don’t forget to make a sincere intention before starting your prayer. Intention should be in your heart you don’t need to verbalize the intention. And more likely in Islamic tradition there is no verbal intention for tahajjud prayer.
- Rushing Through the Prayer: Tahajjud is not a prayer to be rushed. Take your time, reflect, and be mindful of each movement. And build a connection with your beloved Lord, Allah Almighty.
- Skipping Du’a: We already know that this is a precious time for supplication. Make sure to spend time making Du’a, asking for what your heart desires, and seeking Allah’s mercy.
Is There Any Specific Dua For Tahajjud Prayer?
As we know, the time during tahajjud salah is a very special moment when du’as (supplications) have a high chance of being accepted. Therefore, we should strive to make as many du’as as possible during this time. Now, the question arises: Is there any specific du’a for tahajjud? The answer is no. You can make any du’a during tahajjud. However, there is a specific du’a related to tahajjud that we find in the Hadith of the Prophet (ﷺ), and it is:
” اللَّهُمَّ لَكَ الْحَمْدُ أَنْتَ قَيِّمُ السَّمَوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ وَمَنْ فِيهِنَّ وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ، لَكَ مُلْكُ السَّمَوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ وَمَنْ فِيهِنَّ، وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ أَنْتَ نُورُ السَّمَوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ، وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ أَنْتَ الْحَقُّ، وَوَعْدُكَ الْحَقُّ، وَلِقَاؤُكَ حَقٌّ، وَقَوْلُكَ حَقٌّ، وَالْجَنَّةُ حَقٌّ، وَالنَّارُ حَقٌّ، وَالنَّبِيُّونَ حَقٌّ، وَمُحَمَّدٌ صلى الله عليه وسلم حَقٌّ، وَالسَّاعَةُ حَقٌّ، اللَّهُمَّ لَكَ أَسْلَمْتُ، وَبِكَ آمَنْتُ وَعَلَيْكَ تَوَكَّلْتُ، وَإِلَيْكَ أَنَبْتُ، وَبِكَ خَاصَمْتُ، وَإِلَيْكَ حَاكَمْتُ، فَاغْفِرْ لِي مَا قَدَّمْتُ وَمَا أَخَّرْتُ، وَمَا أَسْرَرْتُ وَمَا أَعْلَنْتُ، أَنْتَ الْمُقَدِّمُ وَأَنْتَ الْمُؤَخِّرُ، لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ أَنْتَ ـ أَوْ لاَ إِلَهَ غَيْرُكَ ـ— وَلاَ حَوْلَ وَلاَ قُوَّةَ إِلاَّ بِاللَّهِ ”
- Narrated Ibn `Abbas:
When the Prophet (ﷺ) got up at night to offer the Tahajjud prayer, he used to say: 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 . Sufyan said that `Abdul Karim Abu Umaiya added to the above, ‘Wala haula Wala quwata illa billah’ (There is neither might nor power except with Allah).[⁹]
Since this du’a is directly proven from the Prophet (ﷺ), we should strive to recite it as much as possible during tahajjud prayer. By doing so, we gain two significant benefits: Firstly, the du’a itself is beautiful and meaningful, asking for things that are immensely beneficial for us. Secondly, we fulfill another Sunnah of the Prophet (ﷺ) by supplicating in the way he taught us.
Tahajjud prayer is more than just an act of worship—it’s a chance to nurture your soul, seek peace, and build a stronger connection with Allah. By making it a regular part of your life, you can unlock the profound benefits that come with this beautiful night prayer. Whether you’re seeking forgiveness, guidance, or simply peace in your heart, Tahajjud offers a unique opportunity to find what you’re looking for.
May Allah Almighty bless our nights with peace and blessings.
This article was written by Mehedi Hasan. For more of Mehedi Hasan’s Islamic content, visit spreadingwisdom.com!
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