Five compulsory prayers in Islam have fixed times throughout the day. However, there is one voluntary prayer that holds a high status in Islam. It is prayed during the stillness of the night when the world sleeps, but you remain awake, showing your devotion to Allah. This prayer, ‘Tahajjud’, is performed between Isha and Fajr. Whoever prays Tahajjud gets immense rewards, especially when practised regularly.
In this article, we will learn about the importance and rewards of Tahajjud in the light of the Quran and Sunnah.
What is Tahajjud?
The word Tahajjud is derived from the Arabic word ‘Hajada’. The literal meaning of Hajada means to stay awake at night. Tahajjud is a special type of prayer that is performed after you have slept at night, even for a brief moment. No one must confuse it with Isha prayers, considering both as a single prayer. Isha and Tahajjud are separate acts of worship offered with deep sincerity and solitude.
Tahajjud Through The Lens of Qur’an
Tahajjud holds a special place in the Quran. Anyone who wakes up at night to disturb their sleep to connect with Allah holds great importance. The Qur’an places significant emphasis on night prayer. Allah praises the believers who wake in the depths of the night to connect with Him:
وَمِنَ الَّيْلِ فَتَہَجَّدْ بِہٖ نَافِلَۃً لَّكَ۰ۤۖ عَسٰۗي اَنْ يَّبْعَثَكَ رَبُّكَ مَقَامًا مَّحْمُوْدًا
Say a supererogatory prayer at the hour of the first watch: Your Lord may raise you to a most exalted station.
The exalted station is also referred to as Maqam Mahmood. According to many scholars, this is the highest rank in Jannah, or it can be a unique intercession on the day of Qiyamah. In another instance, Allah beautifully describes the characteristics of a righteous Muslim.
They used to sleep but a little of the night. And in the hours before dawn, they would ask forgiveness.
[Al-Quran17–18]
It is clearly visible in these prayers how Allah loves any person who offers the night prayer. The quietness and darkness of the night are the perfect moment to form a deep connection with Allah. If you wish to truly converse with Allah, then Tahajjud is the best way to do so, since in that moment, there will be no interruption from worldly affairs.
Hadith on the Rewards of Tahajjud
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has himself left examples for us by offering Tahajjud prayers in the middle of the night. It is because of these acts that we understand how important the night prayer is.
It was narrated from Abu Bishr Ja'far bin Abi Wahshiyyah that:
"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'The best prayer after the obligatory (fard) prayers is prayer at night and the best fasting after the month of Ramadan is Al-Muharram.'"
This hadith shows that Tahajjud is the most superior among other voluntary prayers of the day. It even stands out amongst the other voluntary acts of worship in Islam.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) also said:
Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying:
Allah descends every night to the lowest heaven when one-third of the first part of the night is over and says: I am the Lord; I am the Lord: who is there to supplicate me so that I answer him? Who is there to beg of me so that I grant him? Who is there to beg forgiveness from me so that I forgive him? He continues like this till the day breaks.
[Sahih Muslim 758 b]
What is The Status of Those Who Pray Tahajjud?
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), the Sahaba, and the early generations of Muslims considered Tahajjud to be an important part of Islam. It was considered a prayer that could help them get forgiveness, mercy, and it would get their prayers accepted. Till today, Muslims consider it a sign of spiritual strength and closeness to Allah.
In one instance, Allah himself describes the characteristics of the believers as:
Their backs do not rest on their beds, and they pray to their Lord in fear and hope, and spend of what We have given them (in charity).
[Al-Quran 32:16]
Tahajjud is not some action of prayer that you can complete; rather, it is an act of deep worship that shows your attachment to Allah. According to scholars, this verse is a sign of a Muslim who performs Tahajjud on a regular basis.
Spiritual and Practical Benefits of Tahajjud
Apart from the benefits of Tahajjud in the hereafter, it also brings us many benefits in this world:
- Inner Peace and Tranquility
The peace and tranquility you feel when offering tahajjud cannot match such a feeling. The silence during the night is the best time to connect with Allah and get rid of all your worries. It is just you conversing with Him and letting go of all your worries.
- Forgiveness of Sins
As mentioned in several Hadith, Tahajjud is a time when Allah forgives his followers. It is a powerful time to seek repentance and spiritually recharge for the next day.
- Answered Prayers (Dua)
Any prayer that you make during the last third of the night holds great importance. There are many who have experienced their prayers being answered during this time.
- Discipline and Consistency
Waking up and praying Tahajjud builds a sense of self-discipline. It creates a spiritual habit in you that helps to strengthen willpower and improve your character.
How to Pray Tahajjud
Unlike other obligatory prayers of Islam, there is no fixed number of Rakahs for Tahajjud. However, you can easily pray it in sets of two. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) would usually offer 8 rakah of tahajjud regularly. However, it is important to note that the quality of your prayers matters more. One must not think that offering more rakahs of tahajjud will give them more rewards, since sincerity with prayers is more important. You will get the reward even if you offer two rakahs of tahajjud with complete dedication.
Tips to Build the Habit
Here are a few tips that can help you build a consistent habit of praying tahajjud:
● Go to bed early so you can wake up feeling refreshed
● Set your mind to pray tahajjud before falling asleep
● Take baby steps and start by offering two rakah and then build up to eight
● Seek forgiveness every time you offer tahajjud
Remember that it is not how much you pray but how consistently and regularly you do it from your heart. It’s not about how much you pray at night, but how regularly you do it.
Narrated `Aisha:
Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "Do good deeds properly, sincerely and moderately and know that your deeds will not make you enter Paradise, and that the most beloved deed to Allah is the most regular and constant, even if it were little."
Never think about perfection when offering Tahajjud. Even if you wake up a few minutes before Fajr, you can easily offer a couple of rakahs of tahajjud to add barakah to your life.
Conclusion
The world is full of distractions. In this busy era, tahajjud is a way to find quiet in life. It is a way to form a deep bond with your creator and seek repentance from all worldly affairs. Tahajjud can be offered for any purpose; it can be guidance, forgiveness, or even healing. It is a wake-up call for Allah when the world sleeps and no one is watching. Building a consistent habit of offering tahajjud will increase your ranks to unimaginable heights.