The Tahajjud, a night prayer in Islam, is highly recommended for all Muslims but not obligatory. Considered the most superior among the voluntary prayers, it is performed after the obligatory Isha prayer and before the obligatory Fajr prayer. Ideally, it should be offered in the last third of the night, preferably between midnight and Fajr. While not mandatory, many pious Muslims incorporate the Tahajjud into their daily worship routine to seek forgiveness and redemption from Allah.
What is the Tahajjud Time?
The Tahajjud Namaz timings for today are from 08:54 PM until 05:28 AM.
The Namaz should be initiated shortly after midnight and continued until 20 minutes before Fajr. It is recommended to sleep initially, awaken after midnight, perform Tahajjud Namaz, then sleep again, and wake up at Fajr time.
How to Perform the Tahajjud Namaz?
To begin the Tahajjud prayer, one should start with two rakats of Salah. Standing upright, the verses from the Quran are recited. Next, bow down with both hands placed on the knees in submission to Allah. Then, lower oneself to the ground, placing the palms, nose, and forehead in complete reverence. The elbows are slightly raised, and the feet are folded. After this, stand up and recite “Allahu Akbar”.
After completing the rakats, one can add their own set of dua for the Tahajjud prayer. The dua should be sincere and wholly devoted to Allah. During the prayer, one should acknowledge their mistakes and offenses and ask for Allah’s mercy. Make a genuine promise to avoid repeating the same mistakes and strive towards becoming a better human being.
What is the Tahajjud Dua?
The Prophet (ﷺ) would say the following supplication when he woke up at night to offer the Tahajjud prayer: 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).
The meaning of the supplication is as follows: “O Allah, all praise is due to You. You are the Sustainer of the heavens and the earth and all that is in them. All praise is due to You, for You are the Sovereign of the heavens and the earth and all that is in them. All praise is due to You, for You are the Light of the heavens and the earth. All praise is due to You, for You are the Truth and Your promise is true. Meeting You is true, Your Word is true, Paradise is true, Hell is true, the Prophets are true, and Muhammad (peace be upon him) is true. The Day of Resurrection is true. O Allah, I submit to You, believe in You, depend on You, and turn to You in repentance. I contend with Your help against my adversaries, and I take You as my judge. Forgive my sins, past and future, that which I have concealed and that which I have disclosed. You are the One who causes some to go forward and others to lag behind. There is no deity but You.” It is also reported that Abdul Karim Abu Umaiya added to this supplication, “Wala haula Wala quwata illa billah” (There is neither might nor power except with Allah).
وَقَوْلِهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ: {وَمِنَ اللَّيْلِ فَتَهَجَّدْ بِهِ نَافِلَةً لَكَ}.
حَدَّثَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا سُلَيْمَانُ بْنُ أَبِي مُسْلِمٍ، عَنْ طَاوُسٍ، سَمِعَ ابْنَ عَبَّاسٍ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ قَالَ كَانَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم إِذَا قَامَ مِنَ اللَّيْلِ يَتَهَجَّدُ قَالَ " 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 ". قَالَ سُفْيَانُ وَزَادَ عَبْدُ الْكَرِيمِ أَبُو أُمَيَّةَ " وَلاَ حَوْلَ وَلاَ قُوَّةَ إِلاَّ بِاللَّهِ ". قَالَ سُفْيَانُ قَالَ سُلَيْمَانُ بْنُ أَبِي مُسْلِمٍ سَمِعَهُ مِنْ طَاوُسٍ عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم.
What are the Tahajjud Benefits?
Performing the Tahajjud prayer is believed to bring numerous benefits and rewards. As it involves waking up in the middle of the night, it is considered a special act of devotion and is said to offer great rewards from Allah. Here are some of the benefits of Tahajjud prayer, as supported by Hadiths:
- It is one of the most effective ways to attain closeness to Allah. According to a Hadith in Tirmidhi, standing up in prayer at night is a means of gaining proximity to Allah Ta’ala, expiating transgressions, and safeguarding against sins.
- The Holy Quran also highlights the benefits of devoting time to praying Tahajjud. It states that the servants of Allah who walk gently on the earth and respond to ignorant people with kindness devote part of the night to prostrating and standing in prayer.
- The Tahajjud prayer is known to provide inner strength and mental peace, while also preventing acts of sin and wickedness. Additionally, the third part of the night is considered the best time to make wishes and duas. According to a Hadith, during this time, every night, Allah grants the prayers of those who ask for the good of this world and the Hereafter.
- Tahajjud is regarded as the best among voluntary prayers and is believed to help with everyday problems. While performing this prayer, believers place their trust in Allah and leave all worldly worries, allowing the supreme power to assist them through different means.
- Incorporating Tahajjud into one’s daily routine is also believed to grant patience in the face of problems and bring peace to the distressed heart.
According to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH): “The closest that Allah is to His slave is in the latter part of the night, so if you can be one of those who remember Allah at that time, then do so.” (Al-Tirmidhi and al-Nisaa’i)