Tahajjud prayer is a nafl or voluntary prayer. It is a night prayer that is offered to attain mental strength and peace. It is also known to avert acts of sin. Prayer (Salat) — one of the Five Pillars of Islam, is segregated into four main types:
- Fardh Salat: The most important prayer in Islam; it is compulsory, and missing it is considered to be a major sin.
- Wajib Salat: It is compulsory, and missing Wajib Salat is regarded as a grave sin too.
- Sunnah Salat: Known to be Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) practice, Sunnah Salat is again segregated into two categories, namely Muakkadah and Ghair Muakkadah. The former is to be practiced regularly, and missing the same is regarded as a sin. However, missing the latter one, which is said to be practiced intermittently by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), is not considered punishable.
- Nafl: The last of the four main Nafl is not compulsory and is usually performed for an extra virtue. Missing this prayer is not considered to be a sin.
Also known as the ‘night prayer’, the Tahajjud prayer is not considered to be obligatory. However, there is a great significance and several blessings associated with Tahajjud. Believed to be the most virtuous amongst the Nafl prayers, the Qiyam-u-lail is considered to be a part of the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
“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)
Those who perform the Tahajjud prayer regularly are sure to earn the blessings of Allah. It is also said that this prayer brings a Muslim closer to the Almighty and his/her life is filled with peace and brightness. The holy Quran as well as several Hadiths emphasize the importance of Tahajjud prayer.
“And they who pass the night prostrating themselves before their Lord and standing.” (Quran, 25:64)
“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)
Tahajjud meaning
Tahajjud is an Arabic word derived from “h-j-d”, which means to remain awake at night. Therefore, it is also known as the night prayer. As one has to perform Tahajjud in between the Isha and Fajr prayers, one has to wake up at night for the prayer. The prayer is highly rewarding due to its mentions in the Quran and by the Prophet (PBUH).
What is Tahajjud Prayer?
Also known as Qiyam-u-lail, the Tahajjud prayer falls into the fourth category of prayers, i.e. Nafl, implying that it is optional and missing it isn’t counted as a sin. The Tahajjud prayer is usually performed after Isha (which is the compulsory nightly prayer) and before performing Fajr (the mandatory morning prayer). Tahajjud means to give up sleep, which is why this prayer is preferably performed during the last third of the night. According to Islam, Allah comes down to the lowest heaven during this part of the night to see who is dedicatedly worshipping and leaving their sleep in the middle of the night.
Tahajjud Prayer of the Prophet
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) also used to perform the Tahajjud prayer regularly. He also encouraged his companions to perform the same. The Prophet used to wake up in the middle of the night, cleanse himself, praise Allah, and recite the following ten-verse passage from Surat Aal `Imran:
“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)”
Following this, he performed ablution and commenced the Tahajjud prayer by reciting a few verses in praise of Allah. According to Aishah—when Allah’s Messenger got up at night for Tahajjud, he used to extol Allah’s greatness ten times and then praise him ten times. Then, he would say the words “Glory and praise be to Allah” ten times. Then, he would say “Glory be to the Holy King” ten times and ask Allah for forgiveness ten times. Then, he would say “There is no God but Allah” ten times. He would conclude by saying: “O Allah! I seek refuge with You from the tribulations of this worldly life and the tribulations of the Day of Resurrection.”
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) initially offered two concise units of prayer, which became much longer when he used to pray alone. Following Allah’s command in the holy book Quran — “Stand in prayer the night long, except for a little“ (Al- Muzzammil 73:2) – Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) used to prolong every step involved in the Tahajjud prayer, be it the supplications, reciting the Quran or even the opening recitations. He used to start the Tahajjud prayer with complete reverence, love, and devotion toward Allah. The words, with which he used to start his prayer, were:
“O Allah! Lord of Gabriel, Michael, and Raphael, Creator of the heavens and earth, Knower of the seen and unseen, You will judge between Your servants in what they used to differ. Guide me by Your Grace to the truth in what they differ about. Indeed, You guide whomever You please to a straight path.”
“I turn my face to the Creator of the heavens and earth upon the pure faith, and I am not from among the polytheists. Indeed my prayer, my sacrifice, my life, and my death are for Allah, the Lord of all the worlds, Who is without a partner. This is as I was commanded, and I am of those who submit. O Allah! You are the King. There is no God but You. You are my Lord and I am Your servant. I have been unjust to myself and I confess my sins, so forgive me all of my sins, for indeed no one forgives sins but You. Guide me to the best conduct. No one guides you to what is best except You. Keep me away from bad conduct, for no one can do this for me except You. Here I am. I heed Your Call, happy to serve You. All good is in Your Hands and no evil belongs to You. I exist by Your Will and shall return to You. You are Blessed and Sublime. I seek Your Forgiveness and repent unto You.”
Tahajjud is an important prayer even though it is not obligatory. Its benefits are immense and can help bring peace and spirituality to the everyday life of a Muslim who performs it with devotion and diligence.
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