What is tahajjud and when should I pray it?

When to Pray

Tahajjud can technically be prayed any time during the night, but it's most rewarding in the last third of the night – roughly the final quarter before Fajr begins, so check a reliable prayer times app for your exact window. Unlike Fajr, tahajjud isn't prayed at a fixed time each day and isn't obligatory; most scholars also agree it specifically requires sleeping first and then waking to pray, which is what distinguishes it from simply staying up late for extra worship.

How to Pray Tahajjud: Step-by-Step Guide

Intention

• Ensure you sleep and set an alarm to wake up in the last third of the night.

• Make wudu and face the Qibla as you would for any other prayer.

• Set your intention – this can be mentally or verbally; the important part is only to be sincere in seeking Allah’s pleasure.

Praying for Rizq, success, or other specific prayers

• Here you can also set a specific intention – eg for provision from Al-Razzaq (The Provider), for success, peace of heart. Anything you wish to ask Allah for, remember He loves to answer duas.

Prayer begins

• Say: Allahu Akbar

• Do: Raise your hands to say and put your right hand over your left on your abdomen or chest.

• Say: Surah al Fatiha and a second surah (or at least three verses).

• Say: Allahu akbar,

• Do: Ruku, bowing with your hands on your knees

• Say: Subhana Rabbiy al-‘Adheem x3

• Do: Rise to standing again

• Say: Sami Allahi liman hamidah. Rabbana lakal hamd

Sujood

• Say: Allahu Akbar

• Do: Sujood- prostrating with your forehead, nose, hands, knees, and toes on the floor.

• Say: “Subhaana Rabbiy-al-A‘laa” three times.

• Say: Allahu Akbar

• Do: Sit up briefly, then return to sujood.

• Say: “Subhaana Rabbiy-al-A‘laa” three times.

Rising and second raka

• Say: “Allahu Akbar”

• Do: Rise from the prostration and stand up. This concludes one Rak’ah.

• Do: Begin the second Rak’ah and repeat the actions and recitations.

Tashahhud

• Do: After completing two Rak’ahs, sit and recite the Tashahhud:

• Say: “At-tahiyyatu liLlah, was-salawaatu wat-tayyibaat. As-salaamu ’alayka ayyuhan-Nabiyyu wa rahmat-Ullahi wa barakaatu. As-salaamu ’alayna, wa ’alaa ‘ibaadi-Allahis saaliheen. Ashhadu alla iLaha illAllah wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduhu wa rasuluhu”.

Salawat upon the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ

• Say: “Allahumma Salli ‘ala Muhammadin wa ‘ala aali Muhammadin, kama sallaita ‘ala Ibrahima wa ‘ala aali Ibrahima innaka Hamidum-Majeed. Allahumma barik ‘ala Muhammadin wa ‘ala aali Muhammadin kama barakta ‘ala Ibrahima wa ‘ala aali Ibrahima innaka Hameedum-Majeed”.

Sunnah Duas

• Do: Recite some Sunnah duas or personal prayers that you wish Allah to answer.

Concluding the prayer

• Do: Turn your head to the right.

• Say: “Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah”

• Do: Turn your head to the left.

• Say: “Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah”

After the Prayer

Make heartfelt supplications to Allah. This is a powerful time for dua. Whatever you need, supplicate to The Most Merciful for his help. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Provision (rizq) and ease in your affairs.

• Forgiveness for specific sins or mistakes.

• Guidance in a decision you're facing.

• Healing for yourself or a loved one.

• Strength in faith and worship.

• Dua for family, parents, or those who've passed away.

• Anything from daily struggles to long-term goals.

How many rakas should I pray in tahajjud?

You must pray a minimum of 2, but it is recommended to pray eight and then Witr,  according to the sunnah.

Tahajjud, the Messenger and the sahabah

The sahabah used to regularly pray tahajjud, and it’s a sunnah of the Messenger ﷺ, who said: “The closest that a servant comes to his Lord is during the last part of the night, so if you can be among those who remember Allah at that time, then do so.” (Hadith al-Tirmidhi)

What is the unique power of tahajjud?

There is no other prayer like it. In the third part of the night, while most are asleep around you, Allah descends to the lowest heaven to answer the prayers of the few awake who seek Him:

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,

"Our Lord, the Blessed, the Superior, comes every night down on the nearest Heaven to us when the last third of the night remains, saying: "Is there anyone to invoke Me, so that I may respond to invocation? Is there anyone to ask Me, so that I may grant him his request? Is there anyone seeking My forgiveness, so that I may forgive him?"

But tahajjud is also key to building a sense of closeness with The Most Merciful. In the quiet of the night is can feel like it is you and Him alone, and He truly is listening.

We find the strength and energy to exert ourselves in Ramadan because it is a once-a-year chance. But Allah has offered us a once-a-night chance to have His ear, through this special time when He seeks to answer prayers. Don’t let it go to waste!

This once-a-night chance to be heard is exactly the spirit behind Human Appeal's Making the Most of Your Mercy appeal – turning a quiet moment of prayer into direct, practical support for families in crisis.

How can I build a habit to pray regularly?

Start off slow – pick a day of the week where you have fewer commitments the next morning and set your alarm for the last third of the night. You can aim for the very end of this window to ensure you don’t go back to sleep and miss Fajr – then you can go back to sleep if needed.

Stick to this day every week, and ask Allah to fulfil any and all of your needs – He will answer in His All-seeing way.

Practical Tips

Ask Allah to make it easy for you to pray tahajjud!

In this rewarding time of night, do adhkar, express thanks, send prayers on the Messenger ﷺ. It’s also a great time to give charity.

May Allah accept your prayers and tahajjud and fulfil your duas in a way that is beneficial to you.