In Islam, many acts of worship can help a person be closer to Allah (SWT). Of these, the Salat Tahajjud prayer is the most distinguishable. Also called the night prayer, Tahajjud is an extraordinary form of prayer performed individually at night. This article will help you learn about Salat Tahajjud, the importance of this prayer, and how it can change your relationship with Allah (SWT).
What is Salat Tahajjud?
Tahajjud is a Sunnah, or an optional prayer recited after Isha’a and before the Fajr prayer. It is also known as the night prayer and is done during the last third of the night when all the world is asleep. This time is considered unique because it results in undisturbed worship, reflection, and a chance to draw closer to Allah (SWT).
The Quran emphasizes the importance of the night prayer, and Allah (SWT) praises those who wake up in the night to worship:
Ayat from the Quran (Surah Al-Isra, 17:79)
وَمِنَ اللَّيْلِ فَتَهَجَّدْ بِهِ نَافِلَةً لَّكَ عَسَىٰ أَن يَبْعَثَكَ رَبُّكَ مَقَامًا مَّحْمُودًا
Translation:
And from part of the night, offer prayer with it to be added to your account. It is hoped that your Lord will raise you to a grateful position.
(Surah Al-Isra, 17:79)
This verse calls on believers to stand in prayer at night, offers them better Spiritual stations, and grants them their prayers due to their commitment.
The Importance of Salat Tahajjud
Even though it is not one of the five times of prayers, Tahajjud is among the recommended prayers in Islamic Shari’ah. PBUH used to offer the Salat Tahajjud prayer himself and urged his companions to do the same. This prayer has more value than the addition of another prayer; it seeks closeness to Allah (SWT), forgiveness, and guidance during moments of difficulty in life.
The Hadith Concerning the Remembrance of Tahajjud
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ -رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ- قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ: يَنْزِلُ رَبُّنَا تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَىٰ كُلَّ لَيْلَةٍ إِلَىٰ السَّمَاءِ الدُّنْيَا حِينَ يَبْقَىٰ ثُلُثُ اللَّيْلِ الْآخِرُ فَيَقُولُ: مَنْ يَدْعُونِي فَأَسْتَجِيبَ لَهُ؟ مَنْ يَسْأَلُنِي فَأُعْطِيَهُ؟ مَنْ يَسْتَغْفِرُنِي فَأَغْفِرَ لَهُ؟
Translation:
Abu Huraira (RA) reported that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:
“Our Lord descends every night to the lowest heaven when one-third of the night remains, and says: Moreover, who will come to me so that I can answer his call? Of whom shall they ask when I have given to him? So it will say, who will search my face so that I may pardon him?”
(Sahih Bukhari 1145)
Allah (SWT) is vividly characterized as merciful and generous in this hadith. This is projected during the last third of the night when a Muslim would help spend most of their time in prayer, invocation, and meditation.
Time of Tahajjud
Salat Tahajjud is performed after Isha until the Fajr prayers are mentioned in the post. Nevertheless, it is most recommended that you pay Tahajjud during the third part of the night.
To calculate the last third of the night, follow these steps:
- Decide how many hours there are between Maghrib (sunset and Fajr (dawn).
- Now we have five minutes, so let’s divide that time into three equal parts.
- The last third is the time just before Fajr when many of us sleep.
For example, if Maghrib is at 7:When, for instance, Maghrib is at 9:00 PM, and Fajr is at 5:00 AM, the total time of the day is 10 hours. The last third would be between approximately 2:30 AM and 5:00 AM. But the best time to offer Tahajjud is during these hours since Allah’s proximity is the closest.
Salat Tahajjud prayer at this particular time is profitable because the whole environment is calm and silent, which fosters worship, reflection, and application to Allah (SWT).
How to Perform Salat Tahajjud
This Salat is easy to perform but needs the performer’s trust, seriousness, and commitment. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to accomplish it:
- Make the Intention (Niyyah): One should decide at night that she wants to wake up for Tahajjud prayer. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has said: If a person gets a sleeping intention to perform Tahajjud prayer but does not do so because of going to sleep, they will be rewarded.
- Wake up in the Last Third of the Night: The best time to offer tahajjud is after one-third of the night has been completed. This can be arrived at by dividing the time between Maghrib (sunset) and Fajr (dawn) into three parts and trying to wake up in the last part.
- Make Wudu (Ablution): You should be clean physically when praying due to the closeness you establish with the Lord during the prayer.
- Pray Two Rak’ahs: Tahajjud prayers are usually in twos – two rak’ahs of prayer. There is no extreme of the number of rak’ahs you can pray. The Prophet (PBUH) would spend as many as eight rak’ahs of Tahajjud in their prayers.
- Recite Quran and Make Dua: In between sets of rak ah, take a few seconds to recite portions of the Quran or say dua (supplications). This period of the day is suitable for praying to Allah for Mercy and Protection from arcs and mistakes made during the day.
- Be Consistent: Unlike Tahajjud, which some Muslims perform at odd night hours, it is better to stick to a schedule. If you initially pray just two rak’ahs, try to continue, as the reward is great.
Advantages of Offering the Salat Tahajjud prayer
- Strengthening Your Relationship with Allah (SWT): Technically, Tahajjud is a prayer dedicated to the world in deep slumber. It provides a labeled interaction with Allah, enhancing faith and spirituality.
- Seeking Guidance: They say the darkest of nights can bring light the best in decisions if only one prays with sincerity in their Tahajjud prayers.
- Forgiveness of Sins: It is nice to ask for forgiveness during the night prayer since it is so special. During this period, people were particularly close to Allah (SWT), and He was always ready to forgive everyone who repented wholeheartedly.
- Inner Peace and Contentment: Reading or praying Tahajjud can help you take a break from the noisy world and feel relieved. This religion seems therapeutic, and once practiced, it brings about peace, banishing stresses and anxieties.
- Earning Allah’s Pleasure: Praying Tahajjud every time is proven to please Allah (SWT) and bless us. The Quran also recites the following traditions of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH): Allah loves those who pray during the night.
Conclusion
Salat Tahajjud prayer is an advantageous sort of Salat; continuously performing this prayer can dramatically change your life. First and foremost, it is an excellent chance to refer to oneself to ponder one’s actions and feelings, enhance spiritual relationships with Allah (SWT), and progress. Though it is an optional prayer, there are a lot of advantages to praying this prayer, whether it is in the aspect of the spirit or the emotions. Practicing Tahajjud is a way of having physical contact with Allah and reaching for a state of serenity in your life.
Read more amazing Islamic articles here.