What is Tahajjud (Night) Prayer?
The voluntary prayer performed after Isha (night) prayers, before sleeping or after a short rest, is called “night prayer (Salat al-Layl).” If one wakes up after some sleep and prays between the late part of the night and the pre-dawn (Imsak) time, it is called “Tahajjud.”
Tahajjud prayer can be performed as two, four, six, or eight rak’ahs. It is more virtuous to offer a greeting (Salam) after every two rak’ahs.
The Obligation of Tahajjud Prayer
Tahajjud prayer was obligatory for our Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). This is established by the following verse:
“O Muhammad! Rise up during a part of the night to pray, purely for your Lord’s pleasure; it may be that He will raise you to a praised station.” (Isra, 17:79)
The Virtues of Tahajjud Prayer
Other believers are also encouraged to perform Tahajjud prayer. Our beloved Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
“Whoever rises at night, awakens his wife, and prays two rak’ahs, they will be recorded among those who remember Allah much.” (Abu Dawud, Salat, 307)
The Dua to Recite When Waking Up for Tahajjud Prayer
Our Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) recited the following prayer when he rose at night to perform Tahajjud prayer:
- Arabic:
اَللّٰهُمَّ رَبَّنَا لَكَ الْحَمْدُ، أَنْتَ قَيِّمُ السَّمٰوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَمَنْ ف۪يهِنَّ وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ لَكَ مُلْكُ السَّمٰوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَمَنْ ف۪۪يْهِِنَّ وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ أَنْتَ نُورُ السَّمٰوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَمَنْ فِيهِنَّ وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ أَنْتَ الْحَقُّ وَوَعْدُكَ الْحَقُّ وَلِقَاؤُكَ حَقٌّ وَقَوْلُكَ حَقٌّ وَالْجَنَّةُ حَقٌّ وَالنَّارُ حَقٌّ وَمُحَمَّدٌ حَقٌّ، والسَّاعَةُ حَقٌّ
اَللّٰهُمَّ لَكَ أَسْلَمْتُ وَبِكَ اٰمَنْتُ وَعَلَيْكَ تَوَكَّلْتُ وَإِلَيْكَ أَنَبْتُ وَبِكَ خَاصَمْتُ وَ إِلَيْكَ حَاكَمْتُ فَاغْفِرْ ل۪ي مَا قَدَّمْتُ وَمَا أَخَّرْتُ وَمَا أَسْرَرْتُ وَمَا أَعْلَنْتُ أَنْتَ الْمُقَدِّمُ وَأَنْتَ الْمُؤَخِّرُ لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ
- Arabic Pronunciation:
“Allahumme Rabbenâ leke’l-hamdü ente kayyimü’s-semâvâti ve’l-ardi wa men fîhinne. Wa leke’l-hamdü. Leke mülkü’s-semâvâti ve’l-ardı wa men fîhinne wa leke’l-hamdü ente nûru’s-semâvâti ve’l-ardi wa men fîhinne wa leke’l-hamdü, ente’l-hakku wa va’dükelhakku wa likâ’üke hakkun wa kavlüke hakkun ve’l-cennetü hakkun ve’n-nârü hakkun wa Muhammedün hakkun wa’s-sâatü hakkun.
Allahümme leke eslemtü ve bike âmentü wa ‘aleyke tevekkeltü wa ileyke enebtü ve bike hâsamtü wa ileyke hâkemtü, fağfir lî mâ kaddemtü wa mâ ahhartu wa mâ esrartü wa a’lentü ente’l-mukaddimü wa ente’l-muahhiru lâ ilâhe illâ ente.”
- Meaning:
“O Allah! All praise is due to You. You are the Sustainer of the heavens and the earth and all who are in them. Praise is Yours, for sovereignty over the heavens and the earth and those in them belongs to You. Praise is Yours; You are the Light of the heavens and the earth and those in them. Praise be to You; You are the Truth, Your promise is true, meeting You is true, Your word is true, Paradise is true, Hell is true, the prophets are true, Muhammad is true, and the Hour (Day of Judgment) is true.
O Allah! I have submitted to You, I believe in You, I rely on You, and I turn to You. I contend with others relying on You, and I judge by You. Forgive me for what I have done beforehand and what I will do afterward, what I concealed and what I revealed. You are the one who brings forward, and You are the one who delays. There is no deity worthy of worship except You.”