Tahajjud

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What is Tahajjud?

Tahajjud comes from the Arabic root h-j-d, a term that can refer to both sleeping and staying awake, depending on context — reflecting the very nature of this prayer as a deliberate act of rising from rest to worship. Rather than simply staying up late, Tahajjud specifically involves waking after having slept, making the effort of interrupting comfort for devotion part of its essence.

Theologically, Tahajjud stands apart from other voluntary prayers because of its unique emphasis in the Qur'an and Sunnah. Early in the Prophet's ﷺ mission, night prayer was even obligatory before later verses eased the requirement into a strongly recommended practice. This history underscores how central night worship is to cultivating closeness with Allah beyond the five daily obligatory prayers.

Historically, the Prophet ﷺ and his companions maintained a consistent habit of Tahajjud, often reciting long portions of the Qur'an in solitude during the night. Early Muslim scholars and worshippers considered it a hallmark of sincere devotion, and many of the great figures of Islamic history were known for their dedication to rising in the last third of the night.

Spiritually, Tahajjud offers a rare quality of solitude and quiet that daytime worship cannot replicate. Away from the distractions of daily life, worshippers describe the night prayer as an intimate conversation with Allah, a time particularly suited for pouring out personal supplications, seeking forgiveness, and finding peace.

In contemporary life, many Muslims maintain the practice of Tahajjud by setting alarms before Fajr, especially during Ramadan when nightly worship intensifies. Even praying just two rakahs consistently is considered valuable, and modern reminders about sleep and prayer apps have made it easier for busy people to sustain this deeply personal act of worship.

Examples of Tahajjud

• Rising before Fajr: Waking during the last third of the night specifically to pray Tahajjud before the dawn prayer.
• Making sincere dua: Using the quiet of Tahajjud as a prime moment for heartfelt, personal supplication.
• Praying in units of two: Performing Tahajjud in pairs of rakahs, repeating as many sets as one is able.
• Increasing worship in Ramadan: Combining Tahajjud with extended Qur'an recitation during the nights of Ramadan.

References in Qur'an & Hadith

"And from part of the night, pray with it as additional [worship] for you; it is expected that your Lord will raise you to a praised station." — Surah Al-Isra 17:79

"They used to sleep but little of the night, and in the hours before dawn they would ask forgiveness." — Surah Adh-Dhariyat 51:17-18

The Prophet ﷺ said: "Our Lord descends every night to the lowest heaven when the last third of the night remains, saying: 'Who is calling upon Me, that I may answer him?'" — Sahih al-Bukhari 1145