There is a time, somewhere between the silence of the night and the first glimmers of dawn, when the whole world falls silent. A time that the pious have always known, and that the Prophet ﷺ almost never missed. This time is called Tahajjud.
01 —What is the Tahajjud prayer?
The word Tahajjud comes from the Arabic "hajjada", which literally means to stay awake at night. It is not just another prayer during the day — it is a conscious decision to get up, in the darkness, to stand before Allah while the rest of the world sleeps.
The Tahajjud prayer is a Sunnah Mu'akkadah: a highly recommended practice that our Prophet ﷺ observed with remarkable regularity. It is mentioned in the Quran:
"And during the night, pray, for you, an additional prayer. It may be that your Lord will raise you to a station of praise."
Surah Al-Isra, verse 79It is not obligatory — those who do not practice it do not commit a sin. But those who practice it regularly almost unanimously testify to a profound transformation: greater inner peace, a stronger connection with Allah, increased personal discipline.
02 —Why the last third of the night?
Tahajjud can technically be performed at any time between Isha and Fajr, after having slept. But scholars agree: the most blessed time is the last third of the night.
"Our Lord descends every night to the nearest heaven, when the last third of the night remains, and He says: 'Who is invoking Me so that I may respond to him? Who is asking Me so that I may give him? Who is seeking My forgiveness so that I may forgive him?'"
Sahih Al-Bukhari & Sahih MuslimAllah Himself draws near to His servants during these hours — supplications are especially answered, the heart is more receptive, and the tranquility of the night fosters a concentration that the day does not allow.
📐 How to calculate the last third of the night?
The Islamic night is divided into three equal parts, from Maghrib to Fajr.
Step 1: Note the time of Maghrib and the time of Fajr.
Step 2: Calculate the total duration of the night (Fajr − Maghrib).
Step 3: Divide this duration by 3.
Step 4: The last third begins at (Maghrib + 2 × one third).
Example: Maghrib at 8:00 PM, Fajr at 5:30 AM → Duration: 9h30 → One third: 3h10
→ The last third begins at 02:20 AM and ends at 05:30 AM.
Islamic apps like Muslim Pro or Athan calculate this schedule automatically based on your location — a convenience not to be overlooked.
03 —How to practice Tahajjud, step by step
Sleep after Isha — even briefly
Tahajjud is distinguished from other supererogatory night prayers by this essential detail: it is performed after some sleep. Even a few hours of rest count. Go to bed early, set your intention in your heart before closing your eyes.
Set your alarm for the last third of the night
Use a prayer app or a classic alarm clock. The sincere intention to wake up — formulated before sleeping — is already an act of worship. Some scholars mention that reciting the last 10 verses of Surah Al 'Imran before sleeping helps one wake up naturally.
Start with Wudu (ablution)
The fresh water of the night awakens the body and purifies the mind. Perform your ablutions calmly, consciously, remembering before Whom you are about to stand.
Formulate the Niyyah (intention)
The intention is in the heart — there is no need to vocalize it. Simply remind yourself that you are performing these rakats for the pleasure of Allah, out of love and devotion.
Pray 2 to 8 rakats, in sets of two
Start with two light rakats, then continue as much as you are able. The Prophet ﷺ usually prayed 8 rakats of Tahajjud, followed by 3 rakats of Witr to conclude the night. Recite long surahs if you know them, and take your time to be contemplative in sujood.
End with Witr and sincere duas
Witr — an odd number of units — ideally concludes the night prayers. After the prayer, take time to make your duas in this blessed moment. Speak to Allah simply, in your own language, from your heart. It is precisely for these moments that you have woken up.
04 —How many rakats for Tahajjud?
There is no fixed and obligatory number — this is one of the flexibilities of this prayer. Here's what tradition reports:
The minimum
2 rakats already constitute a valid Tahajjud. If you're starting, begin there — consistency takes precedence over quantity.
The Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ
He usually performed 8 rakats of Tahajjud (4 × 2), then concluded with 3 rakats of Witr.
The key principle
The most beloved deeds to Allah are those performed regularly, even if they are modest. (Al-Bukhari)
Quality above all
A long, sincere sujood, with tears in your eyes, is worth more than many rakats performed mechanically.
05 —The benefits of Tahajjud in your life
Believers who regularly practice Tahajjud report benefits that extend beyond the purely spiritual realm.
Profound inner peace. The night erases the noise of the world. In this silence, daily worries are put into perspective — increased serenity, reduced anxiety, rediscovered mental clarity.
Transformed personal discipline. Waking up every night develops self-mastery that affects all aspects of life: work, sports, diet, relationships.
A strong connection with the Quran. Tahajjud is the ideal opportunity to recite surahs to memorize. In the stillness of the night, memorization is easier and meditation on the verses deepens.
Answered du'as. This slot is one of those where invocations are most accepted. Many believers testify to having received answers to their requests made in the last third of the night.
06 —How to sustain it over time
Daily Tahajjud may seem inaccessible at first. Here's how to build this habit gradually and sustainably:
Start small
One or two nights a week. Regularity is worth more than ephemeral intensity. The nights from Thursday to Friday are particularly mentioned in tradition.
Go to bed early
Tahajjud begins the night before. Ditch late-night screens — this is often the first obstacle to overcome.
Prepare your space
Prayer rug ready, comfortable clothes within reach. The friction between waking up and praying must be minimal.
Don't get discouraged
Even the Prophet ﷺ had nights when fatigue took over. What matters is to resume. Every night is a new opportunity.
07 —Tahajjud & Fajr: should you do them consecutively?
A practical question many ask: should one stay awake between Tahajjud and Fajr, or can one go back to sleep?
The scholars' answer is nuanced: if you wake up early enough in the last third, it is not forbidden to take a short nap between the two. The main thing is not to miss Fajr. However, many prefer to stay awake, reading the Quran, doing dhikr, or simply meditating in that suspended moment between night and dawn.
This hour, just before the sky changes color, has a unique flavor that those who have experienced it cannot truly describe — you have to experience it.
May Allah grant us the tawfîq to practice this blessed sunnah, with constancy and sincerity. Amen.
Pray with comfort. Without compromise.
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