Tahajjud

Tahajjud (Arabic: تهجد), also known as the "night prayer" is a
voluntary prayer, performed by followers of Islam. It is not one of the
five obligatory prayers required of all Muslims, yet still, Islamic
prophet, Muhammad is recorded as performing it many times and
encouraging his companions to offer it for its many rewards and
benefits.



Evidence in Qur'an for Tahajjud prayer

In his famous work, Fiqh As-Sunnah, Sheikh Sayyid Sabiq elaborates on
the subject of Tahajjud as follows:

"Ordering His Messenger to perform Tahajjud, Allah Almighty says what
means:

* {And during a part of the night, pray Tahajjud beyond what is
incumbent on you; maybe your Lord will raise you to a position of great
glory.}* (Al-Israa’ 17:79)

This order, although it was specifically directed to Mohammad(S.A.W),
also refers to all Muslims, since Mohammad(S.A.W) is to be the perfect
example and guide for them in all matters.

Moreover, performing Tahajjud prayers regularly qualifies one as one of
the righteous and helps one earn Allah's bounty and mercy. In praising
those who perform the late night prayers, Mohammad(S.A.W) says what
means:

* {And they who pass the night prostrating themselves before their Lord
and standing.}* (Al-Furqan 25:64)

Evidence in Hadith

Next to these Qur’anic verses, there also exist a number of hadiths
(narrated and confirmed traditions from Mohammad(S.A.W)) that reinforce
the importance of Tahajjud.

Etiquette of Prayer

The following acts are recommended for one who wishes to perform the
Tahajjud Prayer: Upon going to sleep, one should make the intention to
perform the Prayers. Abu Ad-Darda' quoted Mohammad(S.A.W) as saying:

“Whoever goes to his bed with the intention of getting up and praying
during the night, but, being overcome by sleep, fails to do that, he
will have recorded for him what he has intended, and his sleep will be
reckoned as a charity (an act of mercy) for him from his Lord.”
(An-Nasa'i and Ibn Majah)

On waking up, it is recommended that one wipes the face, use a
toothbrush, and look to the sky and make the supplication which has been
reported from Mohammad(S.A.W)

Abu Hudhaifa reported:

"Whenever the Prophet intended to go to bed, he would recite: (With Your
name, O Allah, I die and I live)." And when he woke up from his sleep,
he would say: (All the Praises are for Allah Who has made us alive after
He made us die (sleep) and unto Him is the Resurrection.)" (Al-Bukhari)

One should begin with two quick rak`ahs and then one may pray whatever
one wishes after that. `A’ishah said:

“When the Prophet prayed during the late-night, he would begin his
Prayers with two quick rak`ahs.” (Muslim)

It is recommended that one wakes up one's family, for Abu Hurairah
quoted Mohammad(S.A.W) as saying:

“May Allah bless the man who gets up during the night to pray and wakes
up his wife and who, if she refuses to get up, sprinkles water on her
face. And may Allah bless the woman who gets up during the night to pray
and wakes up her husband and who, if he refuses, sprinkles water on his
face.” (Ahmad)

Recommended Time for Tahajjud

Tahajjud may be performed in the early part of the night, the middle
part of the night, or the later part of the night, but after the
obligatory `Isha’ Prayer (night Prayer).

Commenting on this subject, Ibn Hajar says:

“There was no specific time in which the Prophet (peace and blessings be
upon him) would perform his late night Prayer; but he used to do
whatever was easiest for him.”

Best Time for Tahajjud

It is best to delay this Prayer to the last third portion of the night.
Abu Hurairah quoted Mohammad(S.A.W) as saying:

“Our Lord descends to the lowest heaven during the last third of the
night, inquiring: ‘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?’” (Al-Bukhari)

`Amr ibn `Absah claimed that he heard Mohammad(S.A.W) saying:

“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.” (At-Tirmidhi)

The Number of Rak`ahs in Tahajjud

Tahajjud Prayer does not entail a specific number of rak`ahs that must
be performed, nor is there any maximum limit that may be performed. It
would be fulfilled even if one prayed just one rak`ah of Witr after
`Isha’.

Source: wikipedia