Salah al-Tahajjud (Ritual Prayer at Night)

Tahajjud is the name for the nafilah ritual prayer at night–other than the fard, wajib and tarawih prayers- done after the fardh Night Ritual Prayer and before going to sleep or after waking up from a short sleep.  This prayer is an important sunnah, emphasized by the Prophet Muhammad (saw) “Prayer at night is the most valuable prayer after the fardh prayers”. (Sunan an-Nasai, Qiyam al-layl, 6)   The value of this worship is hidden in the servant’s resolve to stand up in the midst of the night and lose the comfort of his sleep just to remember and praise his Lord. The one who performs salah al-tahajjud will be among those who remember Allah (swt) often and enter Paradise with healthiness.  (Sunan Abu Dawud, Tatawwu’, 18)

Performing Salah al-Tahajjud in rak’ahs of two, four, six and eight is advised, however, one may perform more. Reciting the takbir, praising and remembering Allah (swt), as well as asking His forgiveness are from the Prophetic teachings .  (Sunan Ibn Majah, Iqamah as-salawat, 180; Sunan an-Nasai, Qiyam al-layl, 9)