The world is quiet. Many people are asleep, social media is less active and the activities of the day have come to an end.
But somewhere, a Muslim wakes up, performs wudu and stands before Allah to pray.
This is the beauty of Tahajjud.
Tahajjud is a voluntary night prayer that is performed after waking from sleep. It is an opportunity to worship Allah privately, seek His forgiveness and make sincere du’a.
ALLAH PRAISES THOSE WHO PRAY AT NIGHT
Allah says:
**”They arise from [their] beds; they supplicate their Lord in fear and aspiration, and from what We have provided them, they spend.” Qur’an 32:16
This verse describes believers who leave their beds to worship Allah with hope and fear.
It reminds us that worship is not only about what people see us doing during the day. There is also great value in the private moments we dedicate to our Creator.
YOU DO NOT HAVE TO PRAY MANY RAK’AHS TO BEGIN
Some people avoid Tahajjud because they believe it requires waking up for a long time or praying many rak’ahs.
However, you can begin with two rak’ahs.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said that the night prayer is offered two rak’ahs at a time. This is reported in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim.
Start gradually. Learn the correct method, pray sincerely and increase your worship according to your ability.
Do not make the mistake of comparing your beginning with someone else’s established routine.
MAKE DU’A DURING THE NIGHT
Tahajjud is also a beautiful opportunity to make personal supplications.
You can ask Allah for forgiveness, guidance, protection, beneficial knowledge, halal provision and goodness in your family.
You can speak to Allah about the worries you find difficult to explain to people.
In an authentic hadith recorded by Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) taught that Allah descends to the lowest heaven during the last third of the night and calls His servants to ask Him and seek His forgiveness.
This is a special opportunity for worship and supplication.
HOW CAN YOU DEVELOP THE HABIT?
– Try sleeping early enough to get sufficient rest.
– Set an alarm before Fajr.
– Begin with two rak’ahs.
– Make sincere du’a after your prayer.
– Avoid making your routine unnecessarily difficult.
– Remain consistent according to your ability.
If you cannot wake up regularly, do not abandon your obligatory prayers in an attempt to maintain voluntary worship.
Remember that the five daily prayers remain your priority.
HEART CHECK
There are things you may not be comfortable discussing with anyone. There are worries you carry quietly and prayers you make repeatedly.
Use some of the quiet moments of the night to turn towards Allah.
You do not need an audience to worship sincerely. Allah knows the effort you make to leave your comfort and stand before Him.
3SIXTYISLAM
At 3SixtyIslam, we believe Islamic knowledge should reach every generation. From Hajj and Umrah guidance to practical Islamic lessons for everyday life, our goal is to help Muslims learn, grow and strengthen their connection with Islam.
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