Tahajjud (تهجد) is a voluntary (nafl) night prayer in Islam, offered after Isha (عشاء) and before Fajr (فجر), with its most rewarding time in the final third of the night. It is part of Qiyam al-Layl (قيام الليل) and was a regular practice of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, who encouraged believers to pray it.
In the stillness of night—when distractions fade—Tahajjud becomes a moment of deep connection with Allah ﷻ. It is a time to seek forgiveness (maghfirah), make heartfelt dua, and find spiritual peace. The Qur’an praises those who rise for night worship, describing them as sincere, humble, and steadfast in faith.
What Exactly is Tahajjud Prayer?
Tahajjud (تهجد) is a voluntary (nafl) prayer in Islam, offered after Isha (عشاء) and before Fajr (فجر). It is part of Qiyam al-Layl (قيام الليل)—the standing in night worship—and was a beloved practice of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. This prayer is performed purely for the sake of Allah ﷻ, reflecting ikhlās (sincerity), seeking His forgiveness (maghfirah), and nurturing the soul toward spiritual growth. The Qur’an praises those who rise in the stillness of night, describing them as steadfast in faith, humble in heart, and devoted in worship.
When is the Time for Tahajjud Prayer?
The time for Tahajjud begins after the Isha prayer and lasts until just before the Fajr adhan. The most blessed time—mentioned in authentic hadith—is the last third of the night, when Allah ﷻ descends to the lowest heaven and answers the heartfelt calls of His servants.
This sacred part of the night is marked by acceptance of dua, closeness to Allah, and doors opening for His mercy, forgiveness, and guidance.
Is Tahajjud Mentioned in the Qur’an and Hadith?
Yes. Tahajjud (the voluntary night prayer) is referenced in the Qur’an and affirmed by authentic hadith. Surah Al-Isra (17:79) instructs the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to stand for extra night prayer, describing it as a means to the praiseworthy station (maqam mahmud). Surah As-Sajdah (32:16) and Surah Adh-Dhariyat (51:17-18) praise believers who forsake their beds to call upon their Lord with humility and hope. In Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, the Prophet ﷺ is reported to pray Tahajjud regularly, encourage his companions to uphold it, and promise immense reward for worship in the serenity of the night.
How Many Rak’ahs is Tahajjud Prayer?
The number of rak’ahs for Tahajjud is not fixed, giving worshippers the freedom to pray according to their ability.
- In Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, it is reported that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ often prayed eight rak’ahs of Tahajjud and then offered three rak’ahs of Witr.
- Other authentic narrations show it can be prayed with as few as two rak’ahs, and there is no set maximum, as long as it is performed in pairs of two.
How to Perform Tahajjud Prayer Step-by-Step?
To perform Tahajjud, start with a sincere niyyah (intention) in your heart for the sake of Allah ﷻ.
- Pray in pairs of two rak’ahs, following the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, and finish with Witr if you haven’t prayed it yet.
- In each rak’ah, recite Surah Al-Fatihah and any Qur’anic verses, taking your time to reflect on the words.
- In sujood, pour your heart into dua, asking Allah for forgiveness, guidance, mercy, and blessings.
Once you complete the prayer, stay a little longer in the stillness of the night, continuing your supplications at this blessed time when prayers are more readily accepted.
What are the Benefits of Tahajjud Prayer?
Tahajjud brings profound spiritual, emotional, and moral benefits, as mentioned in the Qur’an and authentic hadith.
- It draws you closer to Allah ﷻ, increases taqwa (God-consciousness), and nurtures sincerity in worship. On an emotional level, it fills the heart with peace, calms anxiety, and strengthens you to face life’s challenges.
- In Surah Al-Isra (17:79), Allah promises a praiseworthy station (maqam mahmud) for those who stand in night prayer, while Surah As-Sajdah (32:16-17) praises those who leave their beds to worship Him and assures them of unseen rewards.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ called Tahajjud the best of voluntary prayers, a means for sins to be forgiven, and a time when duas are answered.
Is There a Dua for Tahajjud?
Yes — there is an authentic dua for Tahajjud found in Sahih Muslim, narrated by Ibn ‘Abbas (رضي الله عنه). When the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ would rise for Tahajjud, he began by praising Allah ﷻ, glorifying Him, and declaring His greatness before making personal supplications. One well-known dua begins:
اللَّهُمَّ لَكَ الْحَمْدُ، أَنْتَ قَيِّمُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأرْضِ وَمَنْ فِيهِنَّ، وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ، لَكَ مُلْكُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأرْضِ وَمَنْ فِيهِنَّ، وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ، أَنْتَ نُورُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأرْضِ، وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ، أَنْتَ الْحَقُّ، وَوَعْدُكَ حَقٌّ، وَلِقَاؤُكَ حَقٌّ، وَقَوْلُكَ حَقٌّ، وَالْجَنَّةُ حَقٌّ، وَالنَّارُ حَقٌّ، وَالنَّبِيُّونَ حَقٌّ، وَمُحَمَّدٌ ﷺ 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 إِلَهِي، لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ. Transliteration Allāhumma laka al-ḥamdu, anta qayyimu al-samāwāti wa-al-arḍi wa-man fīhinna, wa-laka al-ḥamdu, laka mulku al-samāwāti wa-al-arḍi wa-man fīhinna, wa-laka al-ḥamdu, anta nūru al-samāwāti wa-al-arḍ, wa-laka al-ḥamdu, anta al-ḥaqqu, wa-waʿduka ḥaqqun, wa-liqāʾuka ḥaqqun, wa-qawluka ḥaqqun, wa-al-jannatu ḥaqqun, wa-al-nāru ḥaqqun, wa-al-nabiyyūna ḥaqqun, wa-Muḥammadun ﷺ ḥaqqun, wa-al-sāʿatu ḥaqqun. Allāhumma laka aslamtu, wa-bika āmantu, wa-ʿalayka tawakkaltu, wa-ilayka anabtu, wa-bika khāṣamtu, wa-ilayka ḥākamtu, faghfir lī mā qaddamtu wa-mā akhkhartu, wa-mā asrartu wa-mā aʿlantu, anta ilāhī, lā ilāha illā anta. English Translation O Allah, to You belongs all praise; You are the Sustainer of the heavens and the earth and whoever is in them. To You belongs all praise; Yours is the dominion of the heavens and the earth and whoever is in them. To You belongs all praise; You are the Light of the heavens and the earth. To You belongs all praise; You are the Truth, Your promise is true, meeting You is true, Your word is true, Paradise is true, Hellfire is true, the Prophets are true, Muhammad ﷺ is true, and the Hour is true. O Allah, to You I submit, in You I believe, upon You I rely, to You I turn in repentance, with Your help I argue, and to You I refer for judgment. So forgive me for my past and future sins, those done in secret and those done openly. You are my God — there is no god except You.
You can recite this dua at the start of Tahajjud before Surah Al-Fatihah, or during sujood, which the Prophet ﷺ described as one of the closest moments a servant has with their Lord. The dua combines praise of Allah, affirmation of His Oneness, and a plea for forgiveness for past and future sins — reflecting the humility and sincerity that make night prayer so special.
Can Women Perform Tahajjud Prayer?
Yes — women can pray Tahajjud, and its virtue and reward are the same as for men. In Islamic teachings (fiqh), it can be prayed any time between after Isha and before Fajr, with the last third of the night being the most blessed, as mentioned in authentic hadith. A woman may pray it privately at home, which carries great reward, or join a congregation if one is available and appropriate. The main conditions are to be in a state of ritual purity (taharah), cover the awrah properly, and choose a clean, respectful place for worship.
What is the Difference Between Tahajjud and Qiyam al-Layl?
Qiyam al-Layl means “standing at night” and refers to any voluntary worship done after Isha and before Fajr — whether it’s prayer, reciting the Qur’an, making dhikr, or heartfelt dua.
Tahajjud is a special type of Qiyam al-Layl that you pray after sleeping, then waking up during the night. Every Tahajjud is Qiyam al-Layl, but not every Qiyam al-Layl is Tahajjud.
Both are praised in the Qur’an and authentic hadith as acts that bring you closer to Allah ﷻ, strengthen taqwa (God-consciousness), and open the door to forgiveness and spiritual growth.
FAQs – Tahajjud Prayer
Mohammed Basheer is the founder of Sukoonly.com, an Islamic blog focused on duas, prophetic healing, and Qur’anic wisdom. He writes with sincerity and spiritual depth for seekers around the world.