Prayers are one of the essential pillars of Islam. Besides the five obligatory prayers, Fajr also called the sunrise prayer; Dhuhr, the noon prayer; Asr, the afternoon prayer; the Maghreb, the sunset prayer; and Isha, the night prayer.
Some more prayers are not obligatory but have a great significance in Islam. One of them is the Tahajjud Prayer. This article tells about the Tahajjud prayer, how to pray it, and its significance or importance in Islam.
What is Tahajjud Prayer?
Tahajjud means giving up sleep and praying in the middle of the night. It is also called night prayer after Isha and before Fajr prayer. It is not an obligatory prayer like other obligatory prayers but is essential in Islam.
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) also prayed this and encouraged others to pray it too. There is some specific timing for this prayer. This prayer must be prayed before Fajr and after Isha. There are so many verses in the Quran which show the importance of Tahajjud prayer.
How To Pray Tahajjud?
To pray the Tahajjud, you must follow some instructions from Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). These instructions are:
1)Time for Tahajjud:
Tahajjud is a midnight prayer that is prayed after Isha and before Fajr. To pray Tahajjud, try to wake up about an hour before the Adan of Fajr.
2)Prepare yourself for Tahajjud:
For praying Tahajjud, making an ablution means cleaning yourself properly according to the instructions of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Make sure you have clean clothes and a prayer mat to pray on.
3)Rakats in Tahajjud:
Rakats can be repeated as often as desired. Two Rakats are generally enough for Tahajjud prayer. According to Hadiths, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) regularly performed approximately 13 Rakats. It is also crucial to remember that Rakats must be completed in pairs for the Tahajjud prayer.
4)How to recite Tahajjud:
This is how you pray, Tahajjud. First, two Rakats of Salah are done. The Quranic verses must be spoken while standing. The prayer then proceeds by kneeling to Allah with both hands on the knees. Next, in total devotion to the Almighty, face the ground with palms, nose, and forehead touching the earth.
The elbows are slightly lifted, and the feet are folded in this position. Then get up and say, “Allah u Akbar.”
You can add your own Dua for the Tahajjud prayer after the Rakats. The Dua should be genuine and entirely dedicated to Allah. While praying, one should confess their wrongdoings and seek the Almighty for forgiveness. Make a serious commitment to not making the same errors again and strive to become a better person.
When beginning the prayer, remember that it will be finished in the manner chosen, which involves reciting a few Rakats and Surahs. Also, the objective of reciting the Tahajjud prayer should be determined, i.e., to seek Allah’s compassion, praise the Almighty, or honor the highest power.
Evidence of Tahajjud In the Quran
There is a Surah called a chapter in the Quran named Surah Al-Isra, which means the night journey. This Surah has a verse that tells about the importance of Tahajjud. The verse is,
”And from [part of] the night, pray with it as additional [worship] for you; it is expected that your Lord will resurrect you to a praised station.” (Quran 17:79).
Another Surah in the Quran, Surah Al-Furqan, also emphasizes Tahajjud prayer.
”And they who pass the night prostrating themselves before their Lord and standing.” (Quran 25:64).
These verses from Holy Quran show the importance of Tahajjud in Islam.
Evidence of Tahajjud in Hadith
Tahajjud is also known as Sunnah Salat or Sunnah prayer as it is prayed by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Prophet Muhammad prayed this prayer every night and also emphasized others had to pray it too. Many Hadith of Prophet Muhammad shows the importance of Tahajjud. Some of them are given below:
- “Verily in the creation of the heavens and Earth, and the alternation of night and day are signs for those who understand.” (Aal `Imran 3:190).
- “The closest that the Lord 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)
- “Be vigilant in standing up [in prayer] at night, for it was the practice of the pious before you. It is a means of gaining proximity to Allah Ta’ala, expiation for transgressions and a barrier from sins.” (Tirmidhi)
- “The Lord descends every night to the lowest heaven when one-third of the night remains and says: ‘Who will call upon Me, that I may answer Him? Who will ask of Me, that I may give him? Who will seek My forgiveness that I may forgive him?’” (Bukhari, Muslim)
- As narrated by Hazrat A`isha (R.A): “Allah’s Apostle used to offer eleven Rakat, and that was his prayer. He used to prolong the prostration to such an extent that one could recite fifty verses (of the Quran) before he would lift his head. He used to pray two Rakat (Sunna) before the Fajr prayer and then lie down on his right until the call-maker informed him about the prayer.” (Bukhari)
These all of the Hadith show the importance of Tahajjud.
Advantages of Tahajjud Prayer
The Tahajjud prayer is connected with several advantages and rewards. Tahajjud prayer is supposed to provide significant blessings from the Almighty because it requires waking up in the middle of a nap. Here are some benefits of Tahajjud given below:
- Tahajjud prayer is one of the most effective methods of being closer to Allah.
- Tahajjud prayer provides inner strength and mental tranquillity. It can also prevent actions of evil and wickedness. Furthermore, according to Islamic custom, the third half of the night is the most excellent time to make Dua’s.
- One of the most significant benefits of conducting Tahajjud, often regarded as the finest voluntary prayer, is that it helps with everyday concerns. During this prayer, one entirely trusts Allah and abandons all worldly concerns. When a believer entrusts everything to the Almighty, the highest power aids several sources.
Read more about Dua After Fajr.
