The Tahajjud prayer is an obligatory act of worship for our Prophet (peace be upon him). Some narrations state that Tahajjud was specifically mandated for him. One might wonder about the obligations of our Prophet. According to our mother, Aisha, it is narrated that on occasions when the Prophet (peace be upon him) was unable to perform the Tahajjud at night, he would make it up during the day. Although it is not mandatory to make up voluntary (Nafl) prayers, our Prophet was so committed to this worship that he would compensate for any missed Tahajjud due to its unique obligation for him. For us, however, Tahajjud remains a Sunnah.
So, when should Tahajjud be performed? It can be prayed anytime from the Isha prayer until the Fajr (pre-dawn) prayer. Is there a preferred time? Yes, dividing the night into three parts and performing Tahajjud in the final third is recommended, as this part of the night holds special merit.
How many rakats should be performed? According to Ibn Umar’s narration, “The night prayer is offered two rakats at a time.” This means that Tahajjud can be performed in sets of 2, 4, 6, or 8 rakats. Generally, night prayers are performed in two-rakat sets, while daytime Nafl prayers, such as the Duha (mid-morning) prayer, are often performed in four-rakat sets. Our Prophet (peace be upon him) would perform Tahajjud as follows: after the Isha prayer, he would rest, wake up in the night for Tahajjud, perform the Witr prayer afterward, then rest again briefly before Fajr. If he was confident in waking up, he preferred to delay the Witr prayer until after Tahajjud.
The devotion of our Prophet to Tahajjud is truly remarkable. Our mother, Aisha, narrated that the Prophet sometimes prayed throughout the night, and given the small size of their living quarters, she would stretch her legs out in his prostration area. Each time he went into prostration, he would touch her feet, and she would withdraw them to give him space. This small space for worship symbolizes the devotion and determination required for night prayers.
Tahajjud can be prayed individually or in congregation. In the Prophet’s time, some companions would join him in Tahajjud when they saw him praying. For example, Abdullah Ibn Mas’ud, Abu Hurairah, and Abdullah bin Abbas would join in, and it is reported that the Prophet recited in a tone loud enough to be heard by those awake but soft enough not to disturb those sleeping.
Our Prophet’s love for night prayer inspired the lives of companions and even young people. Abdullah bin Abbas, for instance, joined the Prophet in prayer from the young age of 12, showing the strong influence of the Prophet’s example.
Lastly, can someone with missed (Qada) prayers still perform Tahajjud? Yes, since Tahajjud is a highly valued voluntary prayer, it is recommended even for those with Qada prayers. Tahajjud brings the servant closer to Allah, serving as a bridge to His mercy and nearness.
In today’s world, the practice of Tahajjud has become rare, preserved mainly by a small group of dedicated worshippers. Those who wish to revive their hearts and deepen their contemplation should illuminate their nights with Tahajjud. Embracing this essential act of worship, as exemplified in the lives of the Prophet and his companions, would undoubtedly bring immense spiritual benefits.