The Benefits and Importance of offering Tahajjud prayer

What is a Tahajjud prayer? Tahajjud is also called as the “night prayer”. In numerous Hadith, it has been stated as Qiyamul-Layl (standing of the night), Salatul-Layl and Tahajjud. Although this is not a ‘Fard’ (mandatory) prayer, this is the highest standard prayer after the fard prayers.

Number of Rakats: No specific number of Rakats is necessary for the Tahajjud Prayer. We can find out from the Hadith that it is traditionally prayed with “at least two Rakat which is known as ‘shif’a’ after witr” as this is what Holy Prophet Muhammad (Blessings of Allah and Peace be upon Him) did.[irp]

Narrated Ibn `Umar: Once a person asked Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) (ﷺ) about the night prayer. Allah’s Apostle (ﷺ) replied, “The night prayer is offered as two Rak`at followed by two Rak`at and so on and if anyone is afraid of the approaching dawn (Fajr prayer) he should pray one Rak`ah and this will be a Witr for all the Rak`at which he has prayed before.” – Sahih al-Bukhari 990

The importance of Tahajjud: I know it is difficult to wake up for Tahajjud prayer. This prayer is so special and so wonderful that next to Quranic verses, there are also a number of Hadith (narrated and confirmed from Sunnah) that emphasize the importance of Tahajjud Prayer.

After reading all the references, Insha’Allah we will all try to include this prayer in our lives. Here are some narrations and also an Ayah from the Quran about the blessings, significance, and remunerations of blessings of Tahajjud prayer (the night prayer).

1-Establish prayer at the decline of the sun [from its meridian] until the darkness of the night and [also] the Qur’an of dawn. Indeed, the recitation of dawn is ever witnessed. – Quran 17:78

2-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

3-Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) (p.b.u.h) said, “Our Lord, the Blessed, the Superior, comes every night down on the nearest Heaven to us when the last third of the night remains, saying: “Is there anyone to invoke Me, so that I may respond to invocation? Is there anyone to ask Me, so that I may grant him his request? Is there anyone seeking My forgiveness, so that I may forgive him?” – Sahih al-Bukhari 1145

It was narrated from Nafi’ that Abdullah bin Umar said: “Pray in your houses and do not make them like graves.” – Sunan an-Nasa’i 1598

The Prophet (ﷺ) kept standing (in prayer) so long that the skin of his feet would crack. I asked him: “Why do you do this, while you have been forgiven of your former and latter sins?” He said, “Should I not be a grateful slave of Allah?” – Bukhari and Muslim

Narrated Salim’s father: In the lifetime of the Prophet (ﷺ) whosoever saw a dream would narrate it to Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ). I had a wish of seeing a dream to narrate it to Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) (p.b.u.h) I was a grown-up boy and used to sleep in the Mosque in the lifetime of the Prophet.

I saw in the dream that two angels caught hold of me and took me to the Fire which was built all round like a built well and had two poles in it and the people in it were known to me. I started saying, “I seek refuge with Allah from the Fire.” Then I met another angel who told me not to be afraid. I narrated the dream to Hafsa who told it to Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ).

The Prophet said, “Abdullah is a good man. I wish he prayed Tahajjud.” After that `Abdullah (i.e. Salim’s father) used to sleep but a little at night. – Sahih al-Bukhari 1121, 1122

Narrated `Aisha: Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) 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 Qur’an) before he would lift his head. He used to pray two Rakat (Sunna) before the Fajr prayer and then used to lie down on his right side till the call-maker came and informed him about the prayer. – Sahih al-Bukhari 1123

As you can see there are a massive number of blessings and the great significance of Tahajjud prayer. Insha’Allah we all turn back to Allah (SWT) and ask for mercy, help, shelter, and Jannah-al-Firdaus.