Salah al-Layl (Night Prayer / Tahajjud)

Definition

Salah al-Layl, commonly known as Tahajjud or Qiyam al-Layl, is the voluntary night prayer performed after Isha and before Fajr. It is one of the most highly praised acts of worship in Islam, and was obligatory upon the Prophet Muhammad before it was made voluntary for the ummah.

Virtues

Allah says: 'And from part of the night, pray with it as additional worship for you; it is expected that your Lord will raise you to a praised station' (Quran 17:79). The Prophet said: 'The best prayer after the obligatory prayers is the night prayer' (Sahih Muslim 1163). He also said: 'Our Lord descends every night to the lowest heaven during the last third of the night and says: Who is calling upon Me that I may answer? Who is asking of Me that I may give? Who is seeking My forgiveness that I may forgive?' (Sahih al-Bukhari 1145).

How to Pray

The night prayer is prayed in sets of two rak'ahs. There is no fixed number, but the Prophet most commonly prayed eleven rak'ahs (eight plus three witr) as reported by Aisha (Sahih al-Bukhari 1147). The best time is the last third of the night, though any time after Isha is valid. The recitation should be unhurried, with long standing, bowing, and prostration.

Practical Advice

The scholars advise: start with whatever is manageable, even two rak'ahs; set an alarm for the last third of the night; recite from the Quran at length; make lengthy supplication in prostration; and be consistent rather than sporadic, as the Prophet said: 'The most beloved deed to Allah is the most regular and constant, even though it were little' (Sahih al-Bukhari 6464).