Tahajjud Prayer (2)

Tahajjud

Tahajjud (Arabic: تهجد‎), also known as the "night prayer" is a voluntary prayer, performed by followers of Islam. It is not one of the five obligatory prayers required of all Muslims, yet still, the Islamic prophet, Muhammad (S.A.W.W.) has been recorded as performing the Tahajjud prayer regularly and encouraging his companions to offer it to God for its many rewards and benefits, and a way to purify the soul, enabling it to approach the Realm of God. The Night prayer is basically one of the ways (along with fasting and meditating on the verses of the Quran) which make the presence of God in the life of the Muslim become a conscious, living, and intensely experienced reality.

Ordering His Messenger to perform Tahajjud, Allah Almighty says what means:

And during a part of the night, pray Tahajjud beyond what is incumbent on you; maybe your Lord will raise you to a position of great glory.

—Al-Isra 17:79

This order, although it was specifically directed to Muhammad, also refers to all Muslims, since Muhammad (S.A.W.W.) is to be the perfect example and guide for them in all matters.

Moreover, performing Tahajjud prayers regularly qualifies one as one of the righteous and helps one earn God's bounty and mercy. In praising those who perform the late night prayers, God says what means:

And they who pass the night prostrating themselves before their Lord and standing.

—Al-Furqan 25:64

Etiquette of prayer

The following acts are recommended for one who wishes to perform the Tahajjud prayer:

Upon going to sleep, one should make the intention to perform the prayers. Abu Darda quoted Muhammad (S.A.W.W.) as saying:

Whoever goes to his bed with the intention of getting up and praying during the night, but, being overcome by sleep, fails to do that, he will have recorded for him what he has intended, and his sleep will be reckoned as a charity (an act of mercy) for him from his Lord.

—Al-Nasa'i and Ibn Maja

On waking up, it is recommended that one wipes the face, use a toothbrush, and look to the sky and make the supplication which has been reported from Muhammad (S.A.W.W.).

It is recommended that one wakes up one's family, for Abu Hurairah quoted Muhammad (S.A.W.W.) as saying:

May Allah bless the man who gets up during the night to pray and wakes up his wife and who, if she refuses to get up, sprinkles water on her face. And may Allah bless the woman who gets up during the night to pray and wakes up her husband and who, if he refuses, sprinkles water on his face.

—Ahmad

Recommended time for Tahajjud

Ibn Hajar says:

There was no specific time in which the Prophet (S.A.W.W.) would perform his late night Prayer; but he used to do whatever was easiest for him.

`Amr ibn `Absah claimed that he heard Muhammad (S.A.W.W.) saying:

The closest that a servant comes to his Lord is during the middle of the latter portion of the night. If you can be among those who remember Allah the Exalted One at that time, then do so.

—At-Tirmidhi