Tahajjud Prayer and Its Benefits Significance

Umair Nawaz
Tahajjud Prayer And Its Benefits Significance

 

Tahajjud Prayer and Its Benefits Significance: Tahajjud is a voluntary prayer or nafl.
It is a night prayer that is said to get peace of mind and mental strength. It is also known to stop people from doing wrong. One of Islam’s Five Pillars is prayer, which is called salat.

The Beloved Prophet had to do Salat-ut-Tahajjud. Many Islamic scholars say that in addition to the five daily Salahs, the Holy Prophet also had to do Salat-ut-Tahajjud.
Mufti Na’eemuddin Muradabadi said that the Holy Prophet had to do Salat-ut-Tahajjud.

Most Islamic scholars agree with this point of view. And for the Holy Prophet’s community, this prayer is a Sunnah. (Khaza’in-ul-Irfan, Bani Israel, Taht-al-Ayah: 79)

Three things are Fard for me but Sunnah for you, as the Respected and Honorable Rasool SAW once put it. “means offering Salah during the night” is one of them. Reference: (Al-Mu’jam-ul-Awsat, vol. 2, p. 274, Hadees 3266)

Four Main Kinds of Salat

There are four main kinds of salat:

  • Fardh Salat is the most important prayer in Islam. It must be done. and not doing it is a big sin.
  • Wajib Salat: It is required, and if you don’t do it, it is seen as a very bad thing.
  • Sunnah Salat: This is the way Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) used to pray, and it is split into two groups: Muakkadah and Ghair Muakkadah. The first one should be done regularly, and not doing it is seen as a sin.But missing the second one, which Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is said to have done sometimes, is not considered a crime.
  • Nafl: This is the last of the four main types of prayer, but most people do it to get an extra reward. It is not a sin to forget to say this prayer.

Tahajjud Prayer

The Tahajjud, which is also called Qiyam-u-lail, is in the fourth group of prayers, called Nafl. This means that it is optional and not a sin to miss it.

Salah is usually said after Isha, which is the required prayer for the night, and before Fajr (the mandatory morning prayer). Giving up sleep is what tahajjud means, which is why this prayer is best done in the last third of the night.

Islam says that during this time of the night, Allah comes down to the lowest heaven to see who is worshipping God with all their heart and getting out of bed to do so.

Significance of Tahajjud

The Tahajjud salah, which is also called the “night prayer,” is not required. on the other hand, has a lot of meaning and brings a lot of good things. The Qiyam-u-lail prayer is thought to be the best of the Nafl prayers. It is part of the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

“And from a piece of the night, pray with it as extra worship for you;
Your lord will raise you to praised station.” (Quran, 17:79)

“And those who spend the night kneeling before their Lord and then getting up.” (Quran, 25:64)

“Every night, when one-third of the night is left, the Lord goes down to the lowest heaven and asks, “Anyone will call on Me so I can answer him?”Who’ll ask me for something I can give? Who will ask for my forgiveness so that I can forgive him?'” (Bukhari Muslim)

If the Forgiving and Merciful Prophet calls a person who prays Salah, that person must be there.
Salah won’t be thrown out. (Zurqaani ‘alal Mawahib, vol. 7, pp. 318)

یٰۤاَیُّهَا الَّذِیْنَ اٰمَنُوا اسْتَجِیْبُوْا لِلّٰهِ وَ لِلرَّسُوْلِ اِذَا دَعَاكُمْ لِمَا یُحْیِیْكُمْۚ-

O believers, Allah says! Suddenly appears when Allah and His Messenger call you.
when the Messenger calls you to something
that will give you life (faith, Quran, jihad, or martyrdom).
(Kanz-ul-Iman is a translation of the Quran) (Part 9, Surah Al-Anfaal, Ayah 24)

The method of Tahajjud prayer

  1. Timing:
  • Pray after Isha and before Fajr.
  • Preferably in the last one-third of the night.
  1. Preparation:
  • Perform wudu (ablution).
  • Have the intention to pray for the sake of Allah.
  1. Number of Rak’ahs:
  • Pray in sets of two rak’ahs.
  • You can pray 2, 4, 6, 8, or more rak’ahs.
  • Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) prayed 11 or 13 rak’ahs.
  1. Recitation:
  • Recite Al-Fatiha and another surah in each rak’ah.
  • Longer surahs are preferred.
  1. Dua:
  • After completing the prayer, make dua (supplication) for personal needs.
  1. Witr Prayer:
  • End the night with the Witr prayer (1 or 3 rak’ahs).

Tahajjud is a great way to draw closer to Allah and seek His mercy.

 

Benefits of Tahajjud

The benefits of Tahajjud prayer are highlighted in the Quran and Hadith.

  1. Closeness to Allah
  • Quran: “And during the night, prostrate to Him and glorify Him a long night.” (Al-Insan 76:26)
  • Hadith: The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, “Our Lord descends every night to the lowest heaven when one-third of the night remains and says, ‘Who is calling upon Me, that I may answer him?'” (Sahih Bukhari)
  1. Forgiveness of Sins
  • Quran: “And those who spend the night prostrating and standing to their Lord.” (Al-Furqan 25:64)
  • Hadith: The Prophet (PBUH) said, “Whoever prays at night with faith and hope in Allah will have his previous sins forgiven.” (Sahih Muslim)
  1. Increased Rewards
  • Quran: “Indeed, the righteous will be in pleasure… on thrones, observing.” (Al-Infitar 82:13-14) – Those who perform voluntary acts of worship like Tahajjud will be in a high position on the Day of Judgment.
  • Hadith: The Prophet (PBUH) said, “The most beloved prayer to Allah after the obligatory ones is the night prayer.” (Sahih Muslim)
  1. Answered Prayers
  • Hadith: The Prophet (PBUH) said, “In the last part of the night, there is a time when Allah gives whatever a servant asks for.” (Sahih Muslim)
  1. Peace and Tranquility
  • Quran: “And those who believe and do righteous deeds and humble themselves to their Lord.” (Al-Furqan 25:64) – Praying at night brings peace and humility.
  • Hadith: “When you perform Tahajjud, you have the opportunity to speak to Allah in private, and it is a time of tranquility.” (Sahih Bukhari)
  1. Protection from Evil
  • Hadith: The Prophet (PBUH) said, “Tahajjud is a protection from harm, as it purifies the soul and the body.” (Sahih Bukhari)
  1. Intercession on the Day of Judgment
  • Hadith: The Prophet (PBUH) said, “Tahajjud will intercede for you on the Day of Judgment.” (Sahih Muslim)
  1. Physical and Spiritual Health
  • Hadith: “Night prayer strengthens the heart and keeps it free from illness.” (Sunan Ibn Majah)

Tahajjud is a powerful act of worship that brings numerous spiritual and worldly benefits, based on both the Quran and Hadith. It strengthens your faith, brings peace, and earns Allah’s mercy and forgiveness.