Tahajjud Prayer — How to Pray, Best Time, Rakats & Benefits

Tahajjud is the voluntary night prayer performed after waking from sleep — the prayer of the Prophets, the righteous, and every believer seeking closeness to Allah. The Quran promises the one who prays it a Maqam Mahmud — a praised station: "And during the night, wake up and pray, as an extra offering of your own; so that your Lord may raise you to a praised station." (Surah Al-Isra 17:79)

What is Tahajjud?

Tahajjud (تهجد) comes from hajada — to remain awake at night. It is a voluntary (nafl) prayer performed after waking from sleep at night, and it is the most virtuous voluntary prayer. The Prophet ﷺ said: "The best prayer after the obligatory prayers is the night prayer." (Sahih Muslim 1163)

Tahajjud falls under the broader term Qiyam ul-Layl (standing in prayer at night). Strictly, Tahajjud is Qiyam performed after sleeping, which is the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ.

When is Tahajjud time?

The Prophet ﷺ said: "Our Lord descends every night to the lowest heaven when the last third of the night remains, and He says: Who is calling upon Me, that I may answer him? Who is asking of Me, that I may give him? Who is seeking My forgiveness, that I may forgive him?" (Sahih al-Bukhari 1145)

To calculate the last third: divide the time between Maghrib and Fajr into three parts — the final part is the last third. For example, if Maghrib is 9pm and Fajr is 4:30am, the last third begins around 1:20am.

How many rakats is Tahajjud?

• Minimum: 2 rakats.
• The Prophet's ﷺ usual practice: 8 rakats (prayed in sets of 2), followed by 3 rakats of Witr — 11 total. Aisha (رضي الله عنها) said: "He never prayed more than eleven rakats, in Ramadan or outside it." (Sahih al-Bukhari 1147)
• No fixed maximum: pray what is easy and sustainable. Consistency is beloved to Allah — "The most beloved deeds to Allah are the most consistent, even if small." (Sahih al-Bukhari 6464)

How to pray Tahajjud — step by step

1. Sleep after Isha with the intention of waking for Tahajjud — even the intention carries reward.
2. Wake before Fajr (set an alarm for the last third if possible) and make wudu.
3. Begin with 2 light rakats, as the Prophet ﷺ recommended opening the night prayer.
4. Pray in sets of 2 rakats — recite Al-Fatiha and any surahs; longer recitation is better if you can.
5. Make long, unhurried dua in sujood and after the prayer — this is the time duas are answered.
6. Close with Witr (1 or 3 rakats) if you have not prayed it after Isha, including Dua e Qunoot.

Dua of the Prophet ﷺ in Tahajjud

Benefits of Tahajjud

• A praised station: Allah promises Maqam Mahmud to those who pray it (Quran 17:79).
• Answered duas: the last third of the night is the hour Allah answers those who call on Him (Bukhari 1145).
• Mark of the righteous: "They used to sleep but little of the night, and in the hours before dawn they would ask forgiveness." (Quran 51:17–18)
• Forgiveness of sins and closeness to Allah: "Hold fast to night prayer, for it was the way of the righteous before you, a means of closeness to your Lord, an expiation for bad deeds, and a barrier from sin." (Tirmidhi 3549)
• Peace of heart: the stillness of the night removes anxiety — see also our duas for anxiety and stress.

7 practical tips to wake up for Tahajjud

1. Sleep early — protect your night from screens after Isha.
2. Make a sincere intention before sleeping; recite Ayatul Kursi and the sleeping adhkar.
3. Start small: even 10 minutes before Fajr with 2 rakats counts.
4. Set your alarm 20–30 minutes before Fajr rather than aiming for 2am immediately.
5. Take a short afternoon nap (qaylulah) — the Sunnah helper of night prayer.
6. Avoid heavy late dinners.
7. Be consistent — a small regular Tahajjud is better than an occasional long one.