
Tahajjud is a voluntary prayer that Muslims can perform at night. While it is commonly observed during Ramadan, it is encouraged throughout the year. The best time to pray Tahajjud is during the last third of the night, after waking up from sleep. However, there are differing opinions on whether sleeping is a necessary condition for Tahajjud. Some scholars, particularly Shafi'i, recommend sleeping before praying Tahajjud, while others state that it is not a requirement for the prayer's validity. Ultimately, the decision to sleep or not before performing Tahajjud is a matter of personal choice and religious interpretation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Is sleep necessary to pray Tahajjud? | No, it is not mandatory to sleep after Isha if you want to pray Tahajjud. However, some sources say that true 'Tahajjud', as per the Arabic language, means to cast away sleep and then stand up to pray. |
| Preferred time to pray Tahajjud | The last third of the night is considered the best time to pray Tahajjud. |
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What You'll Learn
- Tahajjud is a Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad and is highly recommended for Muslims to perform regularly
- Tahajjud can be performed at various times during the night but must be after the Isha prayer
- The best time to perform Tahajjud is during the last third of the night
- While some scholars recommend sleeping before praying Tahajjud, it is not a condition for the prayer's validity
- Tahajjud is derived from the Arabic word 'hajada' meaning to cast away sleep and then stand up to pray

Tahajjud is a Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad and is highly recommended for Muslims to perform regularly
The Tahajjud prayer is offered after Isha (the compulsory nightly prayer) and before Fajr (the compulsory morning prayer). It is most desirable to perform the Tahajjud between midnight and Fajr, preferably in the last third of the night. This is because, during the last third of the night, Allah descends to the lowest heaven and asks if anyone is invoking Him, asking for anything, or seeking His forgiveness.
The Tahajjud prayer is a minimum of two rak'at, but it can be performed for two, four, six, eight, or twelve rak'at. The Prophet Muhammad used to pray up to thirteen rak'at including Witr.
The Prophet Muhammad used to perform the Tahajjud regularly and encouraged his companions to do the same. He would recite the following supplication when he got up at night to pray:
> "O Allah! All the praises are for you, You are the Holder of the Heavens and the Earth, and everyone therein. To You be praise; You have the possession of the Heavens and the Earth And everyone therein. To You be praise; You are the Light of the Heavens and the Earth And all the praises are for You; You are the King of the Heavens and the Earth; And all the praises are for You; You are the Truth and Your Promise is the truth, and to meet You is true, Your Word is the truth and Paradise is true and Hell is true and all the Prophets (Peace be upon them) are true; and Muhammad is true, and the Day of Resurrection is true. O Allah! I surrender (my will) to You; I believe in You and depend on You, and repent to You, and with Your help I argue (with my opponents, the non-believers) and I take You as a judge (to judge between us). Please forgive me my previous and future sins; And whatever I concealed or revealed. And You are the One who makes (some people) forward and (some) backward. There is none to be worshipped but you."
The Prophet Muhammad also encouraged his companions to pray the Tahajjud with their families.
The Tahajjud prayer is a gift from Allah and brings numerous rewards, such as forgiveness of sins, protection from the Devil, increased spiritual rank, acceptance of Du'a (supplication), and increased reward in the Hereafter. It helps to deepen one's connection with Allah and provides a sense of inner peace and contentment.
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Tahajjud can be performed at various times during the night but must be after the Isha prayer
Tahajjud is a Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) and is highly recommended for Muslims to perform regularly. While it is commonly observed during Ramadan, it is encouraged throughout the year.
Tahajjud can be performed at various times during the night, including the early, middle, and latter parts of the night. However, it must be offered after the obligatory Isha prayer. The most preferred time to perform Tahajjud is during the last third of the night, as this is when a slave is believed to be closest to their Lord.
Sleeping before performing Tahajjud is not a requirement for its validity. Some scholars recommend sleeping before offering Tahajjud, but it is not a condition. If a Muslim does not sleep at night, they can still perform Tahajjud any time before Fajr after performing Isha.
According to Sheikh `Abdul-Majeed Subh, a prominent Azharite scholar,
> "There is nothing wrong in performing Tahajjud and Witr Prayer before sleeping or without sleeping and they are valid even if the Shafi`i scholars are of the opinion that one should sleep before offering Tahajjud. But this is some sort of ijtihad (personal reasoning) that does not prevent the validity of the Tahajjud and Witr Prayer performed by one before going to sleep."
Therefore, while sleeping before Tahajjud is considered the Sunnah, or the noble habit of the Prophet, it is not obligatory. Muslims can perform Tahajjud at any time after Isha, with the last third of the night being the most preferred.
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The best time to perform Tahajjud is during the last third of the night
Tahajjud is a voluntary prayer that is highly recommended for Muslims to perform regularly. While it is often observed during Ramadan, it is encouraged throughout the year.
Tahajjud can be performed at various times during the night, but it must be after the obligatory Isha prayer. The most preferred time to perform Tahajjud is during the last third of the night. This is based on the following Hadith:
> Abu Hurairah narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Our Lord descends to the lowest heaven during the last third of the night, asking: ‘Who will call on Me so that I may respond to him? Who is asking something of Me so I may give it to him? Who is asking for My forgiveness so I may forgive him?’” (Reported by the group)
`Amr ibn Abasah also reported hearing the Prophet (peace be upon him) say:
> The closest that a slave comes to his Lord is during the middle of the latter portion of the night. If you can be among those who remember Allah, the Exalted One, at that time then do so.
Performing Tahajjud without sleeping is acceptable. If a Muslim does not sleep at night, they can still perform Tahajjud any time before Fajr after performing Isha. While some scholars, particularly the Shafi`i, recommend sleeping before offering Tahajjud, it is not a condition for the prayer's validity.
Sheikh Abdul-Majeed Subh, a prominent Azhari scholar, says:
> There is nothing wrong in performing Tahajjud and Witr Prayer before sleeping or without sleeping and they are valid even if the Shafi scholars are of the opinion that one should sleep before offering Tahajjud. But this is some sort of ijtihad (personal reasoning) that does not prevent the validity of the Tahajjud and Witr Prayer performed by one before going to sleep.
In summary, the best time to perform Tahajjud is during the last third of the night, but it can be performed at any time after Isha and before Fajr. Sleeping before Tahajjud is not a requirement, but it is considered preferable by some scholars.
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While some scholars recommend sleeping before praying Tahajjud, it is not a condition for the prayer's validity
Tahajjud Prayer is a Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) and is highly recommended for Muslims to perform regularly. While some scholars, particularly the Shafi`i, recommend sleeping before praying Tahajjud, it is not a condition for the prayer's validity.
Tahajjud Prayer can be performed at various times during the night: in the early part, the middle part, or the latter part. However, it must be offered after the obligatory Isha prayer. The most preferred time to perform Tahajjud is during the last third of the night, as this is when a slave is believed to be closest to their Lord.
If a Muslim does not sleep at night, they can still perform Tahajjud any time before Fajr after performing Isha. Sheikh Abdul-Majeed Subh, a prominent Azhari scholar, states:
> There is nothing wrong in performing Tahajjud and Witr Prayer before sleeping or without sleeping and they are valid even if the Shafi scholars are of the opinion that one should sleep before offering Tahajjud. But this is some sort of ijtihad (personal reasoning) that does not prevent the validity of the Tahajjud and Witr Prayer performed by one before going to sleep.
Therefore, while sleeping before Tahajjud is considered the best practice, it is not a requirement for the prayer's validity.
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Tahajjud is derived from the Arabic word 'hajada' meaning to cast away sleep and then stand up to pray
The Arabic word "Tahajjud" comes from the root hujood, which means to do one thing and its opposite. For example, the word hajada may mean "he slept" or "he stayed up at night", which are opposites.
Tahajjud is derived from the Arabic word "hajada", meaning "to cast away sleep and then stand up to pray". The act of Tahajjud signifies the act of rising from sleep during the night and then praying. This is further emphasised by the root word "Juhud", which means to struggle, signifying the struggle of getting up after sleep.
The voluntary prayers that are a result of getting up after sleeping are called Tahajjud. However, if someone, for exceptional reasons, cannot sleep and wishes to get up and offer voluntary prayers, Sharia does not restrict them from doing so.
The best time to perform Tahajjud is during the last third of the night, after waking up from sleep. It is not one of the five obligatory prayers required of all Muslims, but the Islamic prophet Muhammad was recorded as performing the Tahajjud prayer regularly himself and encouraging his companions.
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Frequently asked questions
No, sleeping is not a requirement to pray Tahajjud. However, it is recommended to sleep before performing the prayer, and the best time to pray Tahajjud is in the last third of the night after waking up.
Tahajjud is derived from the Arabic word 'hajada', which means to cast away sleep and then stand up to pray.
Tahajjud can be performed at various times during the night, but it must be after the obligatory Isha prayer and before Fajr.




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