Tahajjud prayer is a special voluntary act of worship in Islam, performed in the solitude of deep night. The Qur’an and Hadith extensively discuss the importance of this prayer. It is one of the best means for a servant to attain closeness to Allah.
The word "Tahajjud" means staying awake at night or waking up after sleep. In Islamic terminology, it refers to the voluntary prayer offered in the last part of the night after sleeping for some time following the Isha prayer, solely for the pleasure of Allah. It is not obligatory, but the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) and his Companions gave it great importance and practiced it regularly.
Tahajjud Prayer in the Light of the Qur’an:
Command to perform Tahajjud during part of the night; with the promise of attaining "Maqam Mahmood" (a praiseworthy station). [Surah Al-Isra: 79]
The believers sleep little at night and seek forgiveness at the time of dawn. [Surah Adh-Dhariyat: 17-18]
They forsake their beds, calling upon their Lord in fear and hope, and spend from what We have provided for them. [Surah As-Sajdah: 16]
The believers spend the night prostrating and standing before their Lord. [Surah Al-Furqan: 64]
Command to stand in prayer at night—half of it, or a little less or more—and recite the Qur’an slowly and distinctly. [Surah Al-Muzzammil: 1-4]
Tahajjud Prayer in the Light of Authentic Hadith:
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: The best prayer after the obligatory prayers is the night prayer (Tahajjud). [Sahih Muslim: 1163]
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: Our Lord descends to the nearest heaven during the last third of every night and says: Who is there to call upon Me so that I may answer him? Who is there to ask of Me so that I may give him? Who is there to seek My forgiveness so that I may forgive him? [Sahih Bukhari: 1145; Sahih Muslim: 758]
Aishah (RA) said: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ never prayed more than eleven rak‘ahs at night. He would pray four rak‘ahs- do not ask about their beauty and length- then another four, and then three (Witr). [Sahih Bukhari: 1147; Sahih Muslim: 738]
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: The night prayer is offered in two rak‘ahs followed by two rak‘ahs. When one of you fears that dawn is approaching, he should pray one rak‘ah, which will make what he has prayed odd-numbered. [Sahih Bukhari: 990; Sahih Muslim: 749]
Aishah (RA) said: The Prophet ﷺ would pray Tahajjud at any part of the night- sometimes in the early part, sometimes in the middle, and sometimes in the latter part. But he would finish in the last part more often. [Sahih Bukhari: 1146; Sahih Muslim: 745]
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: Offer the night prayer, for it was the practice of the righteous before you; it brings you closer to your Lord, expiates sins, prevents wrongdoing, and protects from evil. [Sunan Tirmidhi: 3549]
Hudhayfah (RA) said: I prayed one night with the Prophet ﷺ. He recited Surah Al-Baqarah, then when he reached about one hundred verses, he was still standing. Then he recited Surah An-Nisa, then Surah Aal-Imran. He recited slowly and carefully. [Sahih Muslim: 772]
Tahajjud prayer is not just a voluntary act of worship; it is a distinguishing quality of the beloved servants of Allah. In the stillness of the night, when a servant stands before Allah, his heart becomes more humble, his supplication more readily answered, and his faith strengthened. Therefore, Muslims should strive to make this prayer a regular part of their lives.
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