Benefits and Virtues of Tahajjud
Tahajjud is one of the most beautiful and powerful acts of worship in Islam. It is a special prayer offered during the night after sleeping, when most people are resting. At that quiet time, a believer stands before Allah with sincerity, asks for forgiveness, makes dua, and seeks closeness to the Creator.
The prayer of Tahajjud is not obligatory, but it is among the most beloved voluntary acts in Islam. It brings peace to the heart, strengthens faith, removes worries, and opens the doors of mercy and blessings.
What is Tahajjud?
Tahajjud is a voluntary night prayer performed after waking up from sleep. It can be prayed in sets of two rak‘ahs, and there is no fixed limit, though many people pray two, four, six, or eight rak‘ahs followed by Witr.
The best time for Tahajjud is during the last third of the night, because that is a time when Allah’s mercy descends in a special way.
Tahajjud in the Quran
Allah mentions the importance of night prayer in several places in the Quran.
One of the most famous verses is:
وَمِنَ اللَّيْلِ فَتَهَجَّدْ بِهِ نَافِلَةً لَّكَ ۖ عَسَىٰ أَن يَبْعَثَكَ رَبُّكَ مَقَامًا مَّحْمُودًا
“And during the night, wake up and pray as an additional prayer for you; it may be that your Lord will raise you to a station of praise and glory.”
— Surah Al-Isra 17:79
Allah also praises those who leave their beds to worship Him:
تَتَجَافَىٰ جُنُوبُهُمْ عَنِ الْمَضَاجِعِ يَدْعُونَ رَبَّهُمْ خَوْفًا وَطَمَعًا وَمِمَّا رَزَقْنَاهُمْ يُنفِقُونَ
“They arise from their beds; they supplicate their Lord in fear and hope, and they spend from what We have provided them.”
— Surah As-Sajdah 32:16
Another beautiful verse says:
إِنَّ الْمُتَّقِينَ فِي جَنَّاتٍ وَعُيُونٍ آخِذِينَ مَا آتَاهُمْ رَبُّهُمْ ۚ إِنَّهُمْ كَانُوا قَبْلَ ذَٰلِكَ مُحْسِنِينَ كَانُوا قَلِيلًا مِّنَ اللَّيْلِ مَا يَهْجَعُونَ وَبِالْأَسْحَارِ هُمْ يَسْتَغْفِرُونَ
“Indeed, the righteous will be among gardens and springs, accepting what their Lord has given them. Indeed, they were before that doers of good. They used to sleep but little of the night, and in the hours before dawn they would ask forgiveness.”
— Surah Adh-Dhariyat 51:15–18
These verses show that the people who pray at night are among the righteous and beloved servants of Allah.
Tahajjud in Hadith
Prophet Muhammad regularly prayed Tahajjud and encouraged his followers to do the same.
He said:
أَفْضَلُ الصَّلَاةِ بَعْدَ الصَّلَاةِ الْمَكْتُوبَةِ الصَّلَاةُ فِي جَوْفِ اللَّيْلِ
“The best prayer after the obligatory prayers is the night prayer.”
— Sahih Muslim
In another hadith, he said:
يَنْزِلُ رَبُّنَا تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى كُلَّ لَيْلَةٍ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ الدُّنْيَا حِينَ يَبْقَى ثُلُثُ اللَّيْلِ الآخِرُ، فَيَقُولُ: مَنْ يَدْعُونِي فَأَسْتَجِيبَ لَهُ، مَنْ يَسْأَلُنِي فَأُعْطِيَهُ، مَنْ يَسْتَغْفِرُنِي فَأَغْفِرَ لَهُ
“Our Lord descends every night to the lowest heaven when one-third of the night remains, and says: Who is calling upon Me, that I may answer him? Who is asking of Me, that I may give him? Who is seeking My forgiveness, that I may forgive him?”
— Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim
The Prophet also said:
عَلَيْكُمْ بِقِيَامِ اللَّيْلِ، فَإِنَّهُ دَأْبُ الصَّالِحِينَ قَبْلَكُمْ، وَهُوَ قُرْبَةٌ إِلَى رَبِّكُمْ، وَمَكْفَرَةٌ لِلسَّيِّئَاتِ، وَمَنْهَاةٌ عَنِ الْإِثْمِ
“Hold fast to night prayer, for it was the practice of the righteous before you, a means of drawing nearer to your Lord, an expiation for sins, and a prevention from wrongdoing.”
— Jami‘ at-Tirmidhi
Benefits of Tahajjud
Tahajjud has many spiritual, emotional, and personal benefits.
1. It Brings You Closer to Allah
When a person wakes up in the middle of the night only for the sake of Allah, it shows true sincerity and love. Tahajjud helps build a stronger connection with Allah and increases faith.
The hadith mentions:
عَلَيْكُمْ بِقِيَامِ اللَّيْلِ، فَإِنَّهُ دَأْبُ الصَّالِحِينَ قَبْلَكُمْ، وَهُوَ قُرْبَةٌ إِلَى رَبِّكُمْ
“Hold fast to night prayer, for it was the practice of the righteous before you and a means of drawing nearer to your Lord.”
2. It is a Time When Duas Are Accepted
The last part of the night is one of the best times to make dua. Many people have experienced that their sincere prayers during Tahajjud were accepted by Allah.
يَنْزِلُ رَبُّنَا تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى كُلَّ لَيْلَةٍ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ الدُّنْيَا حِينَ يَبْقَى ثُلُثُ اللَّيْلِ الآخِرُ، فَيَقُولُ: مَنْ يَدْعُونِي فَأَسْتَجِيبَ لَهُ
“Our Lord descends every night to the lowest heaven when one-third of the night remains, and says: Who is calling upon Me, that I may answer him?”
3. It Brings Peace to the Heart
Tahajjud creates calmness and peace in the heart. It helps reduce stress, sadness, and worries. Speaking to Allah in the quiet of the night gives comfort that cannot be found elsewhere.
Allah says:
تَتَجَافَىٰ جُنُوبُهُمْ عَنِ الْمَضَاجِعِ يَدْعُونَ رَبَّهُمْ خَوْفًا وَطَمَعًا
“They arise from their beds; they supplicate their Lord in fear and hope.”
4. It Leads to Forgiveness of Sins
Night prayer is a means of seeking forgiveness from Allah. The righteous people mentioned in the Quran would ask forgiveness before dawn.
وَبِالْأَسْحَارِ هُمْ يَسْتَغْفِرُونَ
“And in the hours before dawn they would ask forgiveness.”
The Prophet also said:
وَمَكْفَرَةٌ لِلسَّيِّئَاتِ
“It is an expiation for sins.”
5. It Strengthens Self-Discipline
Waking up for Tahajjud requires effort and discipline. It teaches a person patience, commitment, and control over laziness and desires.
A person who consistently wakes up for Tahajjud develops a stronger willpower and a more disciplined lifestyle.
6. It is a Sign of the Righteous
The Quran repeatedly describes the believers and righteous people as those who worship Allah at night. This shows the high status of Tahajjud in Islam.
كَانُوا قَلِيلًا مِّنَ اللَّيْلِ مَا يَهْجَعُونَ
“They used to sleep but little of the night.”
7. It Can Change a Person’s Life
Many people start Tahajjud because of hardship, sadness, or a specific need. Over time, they find that Tahajjud changes their life, improves their relationship with Allah, and fills their heart with hope.
Even praying two rak‘ahs sincerely in the last part of the night can bring a person closer to Allah and change the direction of their life.
How to Start Praying Tahajjud
If someone is new to Tahajjud, they should start small and remain consistent.
Sleep early if possible.
Set an alarm before Fajr.
Pray two rak‘ahs sincerely.
Make dua for your needs, forgiveness, family, and future.
Try to be consistent, even if it is only once or twice a week.
Prophet Muhammad taught that the most beloved deeds to Allah are those that are small but consistent.
Conclusion
Tahajjud is one of the greatest voluntary acts of worship in Islam. It is a prayer of sincerity, peace, forgiveness, and hope. The quiet moments before dawn are a chance to speak to Allah, ask for help, and strengthen faith.
Those who pray Tahajjud regularly often find peace in their hearts, blessings in their lives, and closeness to Allah that is difficult to describe. Even praying only two rak‘ahs at night can become a source of immense reward and guidance.
What is Tahajjud prayer?
Tahajjud is a voluntary night prayer performed after sleeping. It is one of the most rewarding acts of worship in Islam.
What is the best time for Tahajjud?
The best time for Tahajjud is during the last third of the night before Fajr.
How many rakats are in Tahajjud?
Tahajjud can be prayed in sets of two rakats. Many people pray two, four, six, or eight rakats.
Are duas accepted during Tahajjud?
Yes, Tahajjud is considered one of the best times for making dua, especially during the last third of the night.
Can women pray Tahajjud?
Yes, women can also pray Tahajjud and receive the same rewards and blessings.
