⭐ Night Prayer
Tahajjud Prayer Guide
Tahajjud is voluntary night prayer after Isha, ideally in the last third of the night after some sleep — the window the Prophet ﷺ described as when dua is most readily answered. Pray in pairs of two; end with Witr. Skip this page for Witr method or Dua Qunut, or for the five fard rakats.
Desk-reviewed 2026-08-13.
Should you start with Tahajjud or with Witr?
If you already pray Isha and want extra night units, this page is the walkthrough. Close the night with Witr so the last prayer is odd. If you only needed “how many rakats is Isha?”, that is the rakat table.
"The best prayer after obligatory prayers is the night prayer"
The Prophet ﷺ said: "The best prayer after the obligatory prayers is the night prayer (Qiyam al-Layl)." (Sahih Muslim 1163). Allah Himself praises those who rise from their beds at night (Quran 32:16).
Where is Tahajjud mentioned 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.
Their sides forsake their beds; they supplicate their Lord in fear and aspiration, and from what We have provided them, they spend.
They used to sleep but little of the night, and in the hours before dawn they would ask forgiveness.
How do you pray Tahajjud, step by step?
Set an alarm for the last third of the night
Calculate the last third: divide the time from Isha to Fajr into 3. The final third is the most rewarded — the time of divine descent and answered prayers.
Make Wudu
Perform Wudu if not already in state of purity. Night Wudu, especially in cold water, is an act of discipline the Prophet ﷺ praised.
Start with 2 short rakats
The Prophet ﷺ said: 'When one of you wakes up at night, let him begin the prayer with two short rakats.' (Sahih Muslim 768). This wakes the body and heart for worship.
Pray pairs of 2 rakats
Pray pairs (2+2+2...) with long recitation if possible. The Prophet ﷺ loved long rakats in Tahajjud — he would recite full surahs like Al-Baqarah, Al-Imran and An-Nisa in one rakat during Ramadan.
Make personal dua in sujud
The Prophet ﷺ said: 'The closest a servant is to his Lord is when he is in prostration — so make plentiful dua in it.' (Sahih Muslim 482). Pour your heart out in sujud.
End with Witr
Close the night prayer with an odd number of Witr rakats (1, 3, or more). Make Witr the last prayer before Fajr.
Tahajjud Opening Dua (Dua al-Istiftah)
اللَّهُمَّ لَكَ الْحَمْدُ أَنْتَ قَيِّمُ السَّمَوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ وَمَنْ فِيهِنَّ، وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ أَنْتَ نُورُ السَّمَوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ، وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ أَنْتَ الْحَقُّ وَوَعْدُكَ الْحَقُّ
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Tahajjud prayer?
Tahajjud (تهجد) is the voluntary night prayer — also called Qiyam al-Layl (standing in the night). It is prayed after Isha and after waking from sleep, before Fajr. The Quran commands the Prophet ﷺ to pray Tahajjud (17:79) and describes the believers as those who 'forsake their beds, calling upon their Lord in fear and hope' (32:16). It is the greatest of the voluntary prayers after Fard.
What is the best time for Tahajjud?
The best time for Tahajjud is the last third of the night before Fajr. The Prophet ﷺ said: 'Our Lord descends to the lowest heaven each night when the last third of the night remains and says: Who is calling upon Me that I may answer? Who is asking from Me that I may give? Who is seeking My forgiveness that I may forgive?' (Sahih al-Bukhari 1145). This is the golden window for answered duas.
How many rakats is Tahajjud?
There is no fixed maximum for Tahajjud. The Prophet ﷺ typically prayed 8 rakats of Tahajjud (in 4 pairs of 2) followed by 3 Witr (Sahih al-Bukhari 1147). The minimum is 2 rakats. You may pray as many pairs as you wish. End with an odd number of Witr rakats to complete the night prayer. Even 2 rakats of sincere Tahajjud are enormously rewarded.
Do you have to sleep before Tahajjud?
Technically, Tahajjud (from 'tahajjada' — to forsake sleep) requires sleeping first and then waking up. Qiyam al-Layl is the broader term for all night prayer, including that performed without sleeping first. However, the vast majority of scholars use both terms interchangeably. If you pray at night after Isha without sleeping, it still counts as Qiyam al-Layl and earns great reward.
What dua should I make in Tahajjud?
Any sincere dua in your own language is accepted. The Prophet ﷺ taught a specific opening dua for the night prayer (Dua al-Istiftah): 'Allahumma Lakal hamd, Anta Qayyimus samawati wal-ard...' (O Allah, to You belongs all praise — You are the Sustainer of the heavens and earth). After completing Tahajjud, make your personal duas in sujud (prostration) — the closest position to Allah.
What is the virtue of Tahajjud prayer?
Tahajjud is described in the Quran (17:79) as a 'praised station' (maqaman mahmuda) that Allah will raise the Prophet ﷺ to. Allah praises those who pray at night in multiple verses (32:16, 51:17-18, 3:17). The Prophet ﷺ said: 'The best prayer after the obligatory prayers is the night prayer.' (Sahih Muslim 1163). It is the hallmark of the righteous and a direct route to closeness with Allah.
Related Islamic Guides
This is a free service from Elite Digital Agency. Voluntary support keeps Global Prayer Times free for everyone. Support if you can.
Sources and further reading
Quran translations open on Quran.com and hadith on Sunnah.com. Rulings differ between schools of thought; ask a qualified scholar about your situation. See our editorial policy and corrections log.