Prayer (Salah)
How to Pray Tahajjud (Night Prayer)
A complete guide to Tahajjud — the voluntary night prayer praised by the Quran and Sunnah as the best prayer after the obligatory five.
Total Time
15–30 minutes
Total Steps
6 steps
Read Time
5 min read
Tahajjud (Arabic: التهجد) is the voluntary night prayer performed after sleeping and before Fajr. It is among the most beloved and spiritually powerful acts of worship — a private, unhurried audience with Allah while the world sleeps.
Allah honours those who keep it: "And from the night, pray with it as additional worship for you; it is expected that your Lord will raise you to a praised station." (Quran 17:79). Of the righteous He says: "They used to sleep but little of the night, and in the hours before dawn they would ask forgiveness." (Quran 51:17-18)
The Prophet ﷺ said: "The best prayer after the obligatory prayers is the night prayer" (Sahih Muslim 1163). He also described the special mercy of the last third of the night: "Our Lord descends to the lowest heaven in the last third of every night and says: Who is calling upon Me, that I may answer him? Who is asking of Me, that I may give him? Who is seeking My forgiveness, that I may forgive him?" (Sahih al-Bukhari 1145). Tahajjud places you in that window of acceptance.
The most virtuous time is the last third of the night, roughly 1.5–2 hours before Fajr. As for the amount, the Prophet ﷺ usually prayed eight rak'at (in pairs) plus Witr — yet even two short rak'at sincerely offered count as valid Tahajjud. Consistency matters more than quantity: "The most beloved deeds to Allah are those done consistently, even if small" (Sahih al-Bukhari 6464).
Treating it as obligatory and then burning out — start small and sustainable; a little done regularly outweighs a burst that is abandoned.
Neglecting du'a — Tahajjud's greatest treasure is the supplication in its stillness; do not rush through it without asking Allah from the heart.
Skipping sleep entirely — Tahajjud is, by definition, after sleep. The Prophet ﷺ balanced worship and rest and disliked over-burdening oneself.
Qiyam al-Layl (standing the night in prayer) is the broader term for any night worship. Tahajjud specifically refers to night prayer performed after waking from sleep. Tarawih in Ramadan is also a form of Qiyam al-Layl.
Yes — in voluntary prayer and especially in the prostration and after the prayer, you may pour out heartfelt supplication in any language you understand.
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Complete Guide to Salah (Prayer)
Introduction to the Quran
Allah honours those who keep it: "And from the night, pray with it as additional worship for you; it is expected that your Lord will raise you to a praised station." (Quran 17:79). Of the righteous He says: "They used to sleep but little of the night, and in the hours before dawn they would ask forgiveness." (Quran 51:17-18)
Its Immense Virtue
The Prophet ﷺ said: "The best prayer after the obligatory prayers is the night prayer" (Sahih Muslim 1163). He also described the special mercy of the last third of the night: "Our Lord descends to the lowest heaven in the last third of every night and says: Who is calling upon Me, that I may answer him? Who is asking of Me, that I may give him? Who is seeking My forgiveness, that I may forgive him?" (Sahih al-Bukhari 1145). Tahajjud places you in that window of acceptance.
The Best Time and Amount
The most virtuous time is the last third of the night, roughly 1.5–2 hours before Fajr. As for the amount, the Prophet ﷺ usually prayed eight rak'at (in pairs) plus Witr — yet even two short rak'at sincerely offered count as valid Tahajjud. Consistency matters more than quantity: "The most beloved deeds to Allah are those done consistently, even if small" (Sahih al-Bukhari 6464).
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Tahajjud and Qiyam al-Layl?
Qiyam al-Layl (standing the night in prayer) is the broader term for any night worship. Tahajjud specifically refers to night prayer performed after waking from sleep. Tarawih in Ramadan is also a form of Qiyam al-Layl.
Can I make du'a in my own language?
Yes — in voluntary prayer and especially in the prostration and after the prayer, you may pour out heartfelt supplication in any language you understand.
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Step-by-Step Instructions
1
Sleep First, Then Wake
Tahajjud is performed after sleeping — even briefly. Set an alarm for the last third of the night (roughly 1.5–2 hours before Fajr). This is the most virtuous time.
2
Perform Wudu
Make fresh wudu. The Prophet ﷺ would wake, perform wudu, and pray Tahajjud before dawn.
3
Begin with Short Rak'at (2 + 2 + ...)
Pray in pairs of 2 rak'at. The Prophet ﷺ typically prayed 8 rak'at (4 × 2) + Witr. Even 2 rak'at suffices and is valid Tahajjud.
4
Recite Long Surahs or Slow Recitation
Take your time. The Prophet ﷺ would recite long portions of the Quran in Tahajjud, sometimes standing for hours. Even slow recitation of shorter surahs with deep reflection is rewarding.
5
Make Heartfelt Du'a in Sujud
Tahajjud is the best time for personal supplication. The Prophet ﷺ made long supplications in sujud at night. Ask Allah for what you need — in any language you understand deeply.
6
Pray Witr to End the Night
If you have not already prayed Witr after Isha, pray it as the final prayer of your Tahajjud session. If you already prayed Witr, do not repeat it — simply make du'a after your Tahajjud rak'at.
Authentic Guidance
This guide is prepared based on authentic Islamic sources. We ensure that all steps are consistent with established scholarly consensus.