An Insight into Tahajjud

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“Nafl” is an Arabic word, which means “to get something extra”. Tahajjud is one of these Nafl prayers, which has even been emphasized in the Quran:

“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]

Meaning:

Tahajjud comes from hujood, which is doing one thing and the opposite, it so the word hajada may mean he slept or it may mean he stayed up at night, which are opposites. Tahajjud means specifically praying at night, and some scholars limited it to prayers that are offered at night after sleeping in the latter portion on the night.

Timing:

Tahajjud prayer is implemented in the final third of a night after waking up from sleep. It cannot be offered straight away after Isha, but only following one`s sleep.

Conditions:

• Make a clear intention of performing Tahajjud and arrange to wake up at last part of the night, this does not need to be verbalised.
• Be in state of cleanliness and perform Wudu.
• Be in a clean and quiet place in the house, away from distractions
• Remove all kinds of worldly matters to better concentrate on the prayer and gain the benefits.
• Offer at least 2 – 12 rakahs depending on your will and energy.
• Aisha (R) narrated:
  “Allah’s Apostle used to offer eleven Rakahs and that was his prayer. He used to prolong the prostration to such an extent that one could recite fifty verses (of the Quran) before he would lift his head. He used to pray two Rakahs before the Fajr prayer and then used to lie down on his right side till the call-maker came and informed him about the prayer.” (Bukhari)
• Make excessive Duaa to gain the benefits of this prayer.

Benefits:

Because it is difficult to wake up in the middle of sleep, this prayer offers the greatest amount of rewards and a great status from Allah:

The Prophet (PBUH) used to offer Tahajjud frequently, which increases its importance a Muslim’s routine, as he stated:

“The best of prayers after the prescribed prayers is prayer in the depths of the night, and the best of fasting after the month of Ramadan is fasting the month of Allah, Muharram.”  (Muslim)

Tahajjud is a great way of getting Allah`s closest attention, which is the key towards piety and faithfulness. The Messenger (PBUH) has regarded this Salah as a source of getting rid of negative influence and being able to attain almost all kinds of desires and aspirations.

“Every night when it is the last third of the night, Our Lord, the Superior, the Blessed, descends to the nearest heaven and says, ‘Is there anyone to invoke Me that I may respond to his invocation? Is there anyone to ask Me that I may grant him his request? Is there anyone asking My forgiveness, so that I may forgive him?” (Collected by Bukhari and Muslim)

The benefits of Tahajjud begin with Wudu itself because of the pure intention the believer makes in performing the prayer, all the while eradicating any influence of Shaytaan. It is one of the ultimate ways of getting closer to Allah as He likes this act of worship and speaks to His Angels about it. He tells them that He will grant His believers with whatever they wish for.