Tahajjud explained Learn how to talk to Allah by Yasir Qadhi

Tahajjud prayer is a nafl or voluntary prayer. It is a night prayer that is offered to attain mental strength and peace. It is also known to avert acts of sin. Prayer (Salat) — one of the Five Pillars of Islam, is segregated into four main types:

Fardh Salat: The most important prayer in Islam; it is compulsory, and missing it is considered to be a major sin.
Wajib Salat: It is compulsory, and missing Wajib Salat is regarded as a grave sin too.
Sunnah Salat: Known to be Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) practice, Sunnah Salat is again segregated into two categories, namely Muakkadah and Ghair Muakkadah. The former is to be practiced regularly, and missing the same is regarded as a sin. However, missing the latter one, which is said to be practiced intermittently by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), is not considered punishable.
Nafl: The last of the four main types of prayer, Nafl is not compulsory and is usually performed for an extra virtue. Missing this prayer is not considered to be a sin.
Tahajjud meaning
Tahajjud is an Arabic word derived from “h-j-d”, which menas to remain awake at night. Therefore, it is also known as the night prayer. As one has to perform Tahajjud in between the Isha and Fajr prayer, one has to wake up at night for the prayer. The prayer is highly rewarding due to its mentions in the Quran and by the Prophet (PBUH).

What is Tahajjud Prayer?
Also known as Qiyam-u-lail, the Tahajjud prayer falls into the fourth category of prayers, i.e. Nafl, implying that it is optional and missing it isn’t counted as a sin. The Tahajjud prayer is usually performed after Isha (which is the compulsory nightly prayer) and before performing Fajr (the mandatory morning prayer). Tahajjud means to give up sleep, which is why this prayer is preferably performed during the last third of the night. According to Islam, Allah comes down to the lowest heaven during this part of the night to see who is dedicatedly worshipping and leaving their sleep in the middle of the night.

Importance of Tahajjud Prayer
tahajjud-prayer-time

Also known as the ‘night prayer’, the Tahajjud prayer is not considered to be obligatory. However, there is a great significance and several blessings associated with Tahajjud. Believed to be the most virtuous amongst the Nafl prayers, the Qiyam-u-lail is considered to be a part of the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

“And from [part of] the night, pray with it as additional [worship] for you; it is expected that your Lord will resurrect you to a praised station.” (Quran, 17:79)

Those who perform Tahajjud prayer regularly are sure to earn the blessings of Allah. It is also said that this prayer brings a Muslim closer to the Almighty and his/her life is filled with peace and brightness. The holy Quran as well as several Hadiths emphasize the importance of Tahajjud prayer.

“And they who pass the night prostrating themselves before their Lord and standing.” (Quran, 25:64)

“The Lord descends every night to the lowest heaven when one-third of the night remains and says: ‘Who will call upon Me, that I may answer Him? Who will ask of Me, that I may give him? Who will seek My forgiveness that I may forgive him?’” (Bukhari, Muslim)