The short answer: Tahajjud is the voluntary night prayer, prayed after Isha and before Fajr, ideally after some sleep. The best time is the last third of the night, when Allah descends to the lowest heaven and says, "Who is calling upon Me, that I may answer him?" (Bukhari and Muslim). Pray it in sets of two rak'ahs, and end the night's prayer with witr.
When is the time for Tahajjud?
- Starts: after the Isha prayer. Many scholars say it is called *Tahajjud* specifically when prayed after sleeping.
- Ends: at the start of Fajr.
- Best time: the last third of the night.
How to work out the last third of the night
Take the time between Maghrib and Fajr, divide it by three, and the last third begins that much before Fajr.
| Example | Maghrib | Fajr | Length of night | Last third begins |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter evening (UK-style times) | 4:30 pm | 6:15 am | 13 h 45 min | about 1:40 am |
| Spring evening | 6:00 pm | 5:00 am | 11 h | about 1:20 am |
| Summer evening | 9:00 pm | 3:00 am | 6 h | 1:00 am |
Use your own local Maghrib and Fajr times from your mosque timetable.
How many rak'ahs?
The Prophet ﷺ said: "The night prayer is two by two" (Bukhari and Muslim). He usually prayed eleven rak'ahs including witr, sometimes thirteen (Bukhari). There is no minimum: even two rak'ahs are Tahajjud. Pray what you can keep up regularly; the deeds most loved by Allah are those done consistently, even if small (Bukhari and Muslim).
How to pray Tahajjud, step by step
- On waking, say the dua the Prophet ﷺ taught for someone who wakes at night, beginning *La ilaha illallahu wahdahu la sharika lah…*, then ask Allah for forgiveness (Bukhari).
- Make wudu and face the qiblah. The intention is in your heart.
- Begin with two short rak'ahs, as the Prophet ﷺ recommended (Muslim).
- Continue in sets of two, reciting whatever you know. Longer recitation and long sujud are best, but recite what you can do comfortably.
- End with witr: one or three rak'ahs, if you did not already pray witr after Isha.
- Make dua, especially in sujud and in the last part of the night.
Tips for waking up
- Sleep early, and in a state of wudu.
- Set an alarm 20–30 minutes before Fajr; you can pray Tahajjud and then suhoor in Ramadan.
- Start with one or two nights a week, then build up.
- In Ramadan, waking for suhoor makes Tahajjud much easier.
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