Tahajjud Namaz is a special night prayer offered after sleeping and before Fajr. It is a highly recommended Sunnah (Nafl) prayer that brings a believer closer to Allah. Many Muslims want to know the Tahajjud namaz rakat, correct tarika, niyat in Arabic, and whether it is Sunnat or Nafl.
In this short guide, you will learn how to pray Tahajjud step by step, its benefits, powerful duas for success, and inspiring Tahajjud miracle stories, all explained in a simple and clear way.
What Is Tahajjud Namaz?
Tahajjud Namaz is a special night prayer in Islam offered after sleeping and before the Fajr prayer. It is a voluntary act of worship that brings a servant closer to Allah in the quiet hours of the night. Tahajjud prayer was regularly performed by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and is highly praised in the Qur’an and Hadith. These tahajjud prayers are a source of peace, forgiveness, and spiritual strength.
Tahajjud Namaz Is Sunnah or Nafl?
Tahajjud Namaz is a Sunnah (Nafl) prayer, not compulsory, but highly emphasized in Islam. The Qur’an encourages the night prayer, saying that those who rise at night gain a special closeness to Allah (Surah Al-Isra 17:79). The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ regularly prayed Tahajjud, showing its great status and reward. Although Tahajjud is not fard, its place in Islam is very high for those seeking Allah’s mercy and success.
Best Time to Pray Tahajjud Namaz
The best time to pray Tahajjud Namaz is during the last third of the night, after performing Isha prayer and having some sleep. The Qur’an praises those who leave their beds to remember Allah in the night (Surah As-Sajdah 32:16). In authentic Hadith, the Prophet ﷺ said that Allah descends to the lowest heaven in the last part of the night and accepts the duas of His servants. Therefore, praying Tahajjud at this time has great reward and acceptance.
Tahajjud Namaz Rakat (How Many Rak‘ahs) — In the Light of Qur’an & Hadith
The Qur’an encourages standing in night prayer without fixing a specific number of rak‘ahs (Surah Al-Muzzammil 73:20). According to authentic Hadith, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ prayed Tahajjud in sets of two rak‘ahs, sometimes offering 8 rak‘ahs and then praying Witr. The minimum rakat of Tahajjud is 2, while there is no fixed maximum, as confirmed by Hadith. This shows flexibility and mercy in the Tahajjud namaz rakat according to Islam.
How to Pray Tahajjud namaz Step by Step (Complete Method)
- Make intention (Niyat): Wake up after sleeping and make sincere intention in your heart to pray Tahajjud for the sake of Allah.
‘’I intend to pray two rak‘ahs of Tahajjud prayer (Nafl) for the sake of Allah Almighty, facing the Qiblah. Allahu Akbar.’’ - Perform wudu: Make fresh ablution if needed and pray in a clean, quiet place.
- Start with Takbir: Pray 2 rak‘ahs at a time, beginning with Allahu Akbar.
- Recitation: After Surah Al-Fatihah, recite any Surah from the Qur’an (long recitation is recommended but not compulsory).
As it is recited in every prayer. - Complete ruku and sajdah: Pray calmly with humility and focus.
As it is recited in every prayer - End with Salam: Complete two rak‘ahs, then repeat if you wish.
Just as the salutation is given at the end of every prayer. - Pray Witr: It is Sunnah to end Tahajjud with Witr prayer.
- Make dua: Raise your hands and make sincere dua, as this is a time of acceptance.
Tahajjud Namaz Niyat in Arabic (نية صلاة التهجد)
Arabic Niyyah (Intention):
نَوَيْتُ صَلَاةَ التَّهَجُّدِ رَكْعَتَيْنِ نَفْلًا للهِ تَعَالَى قِبَلَةَ الْكَعْبَةِ
Transliteration:
Nawaitu Salāta-t Tahajjud rak‘ataini naflan lillahi ta‘ala qiblatal-Ka‘bah.
Meaning in English:
“I intend to pray two rak‘ahs of Tahajjud prayer (Nafl) for the sake of Allah Almighty, facing the Qiblah.”
Benefits of Tahajjud Namaz (In Light of Qur’an & Hadith)
Tahajjud Namaz is one of the most virtuous and spiritually uplifting prayers in Islam. The Qur’an emphasizes its importance, stating:
“And from [part of] the night, pray with it as additional [worship] for you; it is expected that your Lord will resurrect you to a praised station” (Surah Al-Isra 17:79).
This shows that those who rise at night to pray Tahajjud are promised a high rank and closeness to Allah. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
“The best prayer after the obligatory prayers is the night prayer (Tahajjud)” (Sahih Muslim).
Some key benefits of Tahajjud include:
- Spiritual closeness to Allah: Praying in the quiet of the night strengthens your relationship with Allah and brings peace to the heart.
- Forgiveness of sins: Regular Tahajjud helps cleanse the soul and seek Allah’s mercy.
- Acceptance of duas: The last third of the night is a time when Allah descends to listen to His servants’ prayers, making it highly rewarding to ask for needs and guidance.
- Inner peace and patience: Standing in night prayer with humility cultivates self-discipline, patience, and serenity.
- Blessings in worldly life: Along with spiritual rewards, Tahajjud is said to bring guidance, relief from hardships, and success in lawful endeavors.
Thus, Tahajjud Namaz is not just a prayer but a means of transforming the heart, purifying the soul, and attaining Allah’s mercy in both this world and the hereafter.
Tahajjud namaz Dua for Success
Tahajjud salah is a special time for making duas, as Allah descends to the lowest heaven during the last third of the night to answer His servants. The Prophet ﷺ said: “Our Lord, the Blessed, the Superior, comes down every night to the lowest heaven when the last third of the night remains, and says: ‘Who is calling Me, so that I may answer him? Who is asking Me, so that I may grant him?’” (Sahih Bukhari & Muslim).
Praying Tahajjud and making heartfelt dua for success increases the chances of acceptance. It is recommended to ask for guidance, forgiveness, and worldly and spiritual success, making it one of the best duas a believer can offer.
table of tahajjud namaz rakat
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| What is Tahajjud Namaz? | Voluntary night prayer (Sunnah Muakkadah) offered after sleeping and before Fajr. |
| Minimum Rak‘ahs | 2 rak‘ahs at a time |
| Maximum Rak‘ahs | No fixed maximum; Prophet ﷺ sometimes prayed 8+ rak‘ahs |
| Step-by-Step Method | 1. Make intention (niyat) in your heart 2. Perform wudu 3. Pray in sets of 2 rak‘ahs 4. Recite Surah Al-Fatihah + any Surah 5. Ruku and Sajdah calmly 6. End with Salam 7. Finish with Witr prayer |
| Niyat (Intention) | “I intend to pray two rak‘ahs of Tahajjud for Allah Almighty, facing the Qiblah.” |
| Recommended Surahs | Any Surah; commonly Al-Mulk, Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq, Al-Nas |
| Best Time | Last third of the night, before Fajr |
| Dua / Supplication | Any sincere dua; especially for forgiveness, guidance, and success |
| Witr Prayer | End Tahajjud with Witr (1, 3, 5, or more odd rak‘ahs; 3 rak‘ahs is Sunnah) |
| Benefits | Spiritual closeness to Allah, forgiveness of sins, peace of heart, guidance, stress relief, and acceptance of duas |
Tahajjud namaz Miracles 5 Stories (Real-Life Examples)
1. Tahajjud namaz Miracles
Abu al-Yaman narrated to us, saying: Shu‘ayb narrated to us from Zuhri, who said: ‘Urwah informed me, and he heard from Umm al-Mu’minin, Hazrat Aisha (RA), that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to pray eleven rak‘ahs at night.
During these prayers, his prostrations were so long that one could recite fifty verses before he lifted his head. Before the Fajr namaz, he ﷺ would pray two rak‘ahs of Sunnah, and then lie down on his right side until the Mu’adhdhin would come to call him to the prayer.
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari 1123
In-book reference: Book 19, Hadith 3
USC-MSA web (English) reference: Vol. 2, Book 21, Hadith 223 (deprecated numbering scheme)
2. Tahajjud namaz Miracles
Abu Naeem narrated to us, saying: Sufyan Thawri reported from Aswad ibn Qais, who said: I heard from Jundub (RA) that he said: “The Prophet ﷺ became ill and could not get up for prayer for one or two nights.”
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari 1123
In-book reference: Book 19, Hadith 3
USC-MSA web (English) reference: Vol. 2, Book 21, Hadith 223 (deprecated numbering scheme)
3. Tahajjud namaz Miracles
Muhammad ibn Kathir narrated to us, saying: Sufyan Thawri reported from Aswad ibn Qais, who said that Jundub ibn Abdullah (RA) said:
“There was a period of a few days when Angel Jibreel (AS) did not come to the Prophet ﷺ with revelation. During this time, a woman from Quraysh (Umm Jamil, the wife of Abu Lahab) remarked that Satan had delayed him from coming to him.
It was during this time that the following verses were revealed:
‘By the morning brightness, and by the night when it covers with darkness. Your Lord has not forsaken you, nor is He displeased.’ (Surah Ad-Duha 93:1–3)
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari 1125
In-book reference: Book 19, Hadith 5
USC-MSA web (English) reference: Vol. 2, Book 21, Hadith 225 (deprecated numbering scheme)
4. Tahajjud namaz Miracles
Abdullah ibn Yusuf at-Tanusi narrated to us, saying: Imam Malik reported from Ibn Shihab Zuhri, who said that ‘Urwah heard from Aisha (RA) that she said:
“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ would sometimes refrain from doing something, even though he liked to do it, out of concern that the other companions might follow him and it would then become obligatory upon them.
For example, the Prophet ﷺ never prayed the Duha (forenoon) prayer, but I do pray it.”*
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari 1128
In-book reference: Book 19, Hadith 8
USC-MSA web (English) reference: Vol. 2, Book 21, Hadith 228 (deprecated numbering scheme)
5. Tahajjud namaz Miracles
Abu Naeem narrated to us, saying: Mas‘ar reported to us from Ziyad ibn ‘Ulaqah, who said: I heard Mughirah ibn Shu‘bah (RA) say:
“The Prophet ﷺ would stand in prayer for so long that his feet, or as he said, his calves would swell. When this was mentioned to him, he ﷺ would say: ‘Should I not be a thankful servant of Allah?’”
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari 1130
In-book reference: Book 19, Hadith 10
USC-MSA web (English) reference: Vol. 2, Book 21, Hadith 230 (deprecated numbering scheme)
faqs-Tahajjud Namaz Rakat
1. How to pray Tahajjud Namaz?
Wake up after sleeping, make wudu, make the niyat (intention), and pray at least 2 rak‘ahs. You can pray more in sets of 2 rak‘ahs.
2. What to read in Tahajjud ki Namaz?
Start with Surah Al-Fatihah in each rak‘ah, then recite any Surah from the Qur’an. Longer recitation is recommended but not compulsory.
3. Is Tahajjud a Sunnah or Nafil Namaz?
Tahajjud is Sunnah Muakkadah (highly recommended Nafl), not compulsory.
4. What is the niyat for Tahajjud?
“I intend to pray two rak‘ahs of Tahajjud prayer (Nafl) for Allah Almighty, facing the Qiblah.”
5. Can I pray Tahajjud at 3:30 am?
Yes, any time in the last third of the night is perfect.
6. How to pray 3 rakat Witr?
Pray 2 rak‘ahs, then 1 rak‘ah separately for Witr, ending with Salam.
7. Is Witr only 1 Rakat?
No, Witr can be 1, 3, 5, or more odd rak‘ahs, but 3 rak‘ahs is Sunnah.
8. How to pray Tahajjud and Witr step by step?
Pray Tahajjud in sets of 2 rak‘ahs, then finish with Witr. Make recitation, ruku, sajdah, and dua sincerely.
9. Is it compulsory to pray 3 Rakat Witr?
No, Witr is Sunnah Muakkadah, not Fard.
10. What is the perfect time for Tahajjud?
The last third of the night, before Fajr.
11. How to calculate 1/3 of night?
Subtract sunset to sunrise hours, then divide by 3. The last portion is the ideal time.
12. Can I pray at 3am in Islam?
Yes, 3 am usually falls in the last third of the night, which is perfect for Tahajjud.
13. Is 2 Nafl enough for Tahajjud?
Yes, minimum is 2 rak‘ahs, but you can pray more.
14. How to pray Tahajjud correctly?
Pray after sleeping, in sets of 2 rak‘ahs, recite Qur’an, pray Witr, and make sincere dua.
15. Which surah to read during Tahajjud?
Any Surah of the Qur’an; longer recitations are better. Surah Al-Mulk, Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq, and Al-Nas are common.
16. How do you get 100% dua accepted?
Pray with sincerity, humility, and consistency, especially in Tahajjud. Timing, intention, and faith matter.
17. Is it OK to sleep after Tahajjud?
Yes, you may sleep after Tahajjud if needed.
18. What problems can Tahajjud solve?
Spiritual distress, personal problems, stress, and guidance; it strengthens patience and closeness to Allah.
19. Which dua is for Tahajjud?
Any heartfelt dua is accepted; Prophet ﷺ often prayed for guidance, forgiveness, and success.
20. How to pray Salatul Layl step by step?
Salatul Layl is another name for Tahajjud. Pray 2 rak‘ahs at a time, recite Qur’an, end with Witr, and make dua.
21. Can I pray Tahajjud without Witr?
Yes, but it is highly recommended to end with Witr as Sunnah.