How to Pray Tahajjud Step by Step? Find Out Here!

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Hello, dear readers! Are you looking for an explanation of "How to pray Tahajjud step by step?"? If your answer is “Yes,” congratulations! You are reading the right article. Why? Because that is exactly what I will explain here. As Muslims, it is important for us to understand this, which is why I wrote this article. So, make sure to read until the end!

Specifically, there are some important points about "How to pray Tahajjud step by step?" that I will cover in this article. These important points include:

What Is the Tahajjud Prayer?

The first important point about "How to pray Tahajjud step by step?" that I will explain is: What is the Tahajjud prayer? It’s crucial to understand this before diving into further details because it's one of the fundamental questions in this discussion that needs to be well understood.

The Tahajjud prayer is the translation of the Arabic term "Salat at-Tahajjud" (صَلَاةُ التَّهَجُّدِ). So, there are two words in this phrase that must be properly understood: صَلَاةُ and التَّهَجُّدِ.

Salat (صَلَاةُ) refers to specific acts and utterances that begin with Takbir and end with Salaam.

Tahajjud (التَّهَجُّدِ) refers to a Sunnah prayer performed at night after sleep (التَّهَجُّدُ التَّنَفُّلُ لَيْلًا).

So, if you ask, What is the Tahajjud prayer?, the answer is: It is a Sunnah prayer performed at night after sleeping. That's the answer.

This is a brief explanation of what the Tahajjud prayer is. As Muslims, we should understand that.

Why Do Muslims Need to Pray Tahajjud?

The next important point about "How to pray Tahajjud step by step?" is: Why do Muslims need to pray Tahajjud? It's important to grasp this concept to understand the significance of this discussion.

Before answering this question, I will quote a hadith about the Tahajjud prayer, which relates specifically to the importance of this prayer. The hadith is as follows:

عَنْ سَهْلٍ بْنِ سَعْدٍ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ أَنَّهُ قَالَ : جَاءَ جِبْرِيلُ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ ، فَقَالَ : يَا مُحَمَّدُ ، عِشْ مَا شِئْتَ فَإِنَّكَ مَيِّتٌ ، وَأَحْبِبْ مَنْ أَحْبَبْتَ فَإِنَّكَ مَفَارِقُهُ ، وَاعْمَلْ مَا شِئْتَ فَإِنَّكَ مَجْزِيٌّ بِهِ ، ثُمَّ قَالَ : يَا مُحَمَّدُ شَرَفُ الْمُؤْمِنِ قِيَامُ اللَّيْلِ وَعِزُّهُ اسْتِغْنَاؤُهُ عَنِ النَّاسِ

From Sahal bin Sa'ad (may Allah be pleased with him), he said: "Jibril (peace be upon him) came to the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) and said, 'O Muhammad, live as you please, for you will surely die. Love whomever you wish, for you will surely part from them. Do whatever you wish, for you will be rewarded accordingly.' Then Jibril added, 'O Muhammad, the honor of a believer lies in praying at night, and his dignity lies in being independent from people.'"

قَالَ رَسُوْلُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ : نِعْمَ الرَّجُلُ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ، لَوْ كَانَ يُصَلِّي مِنَ اللَّيْلِ، فَكَانَ بَعْدُ لَا يَنَامُ مِنَ اللَّيْلِ إِلَّا قَلِيلاً

The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "What an excellent man is Abdullah if only he prayed at night. After that, Abdullah would hardly sleep at night."

Dear readers, if we reflect on the two hadiths mentioned above, we can conclude several points (these are some answers to the question):

1. The first hadith highlights that praying at night (with the Tahajjud prayer being one of these prayers) is a sign of honor. This means that Muslims who perform the Tahajjud prayer are considered noble people.
2. The second hadith teaches that one of the signs of a righteous person is performing the Tahajjud prayer. Why? Because that person worships Allah at night while most people are asleep.

This is a brief explanation of why Muslims need to pray Tahajjud. As Muslims, we should understand this.

Sleeping Before Tahajjud Prayer

The important point regarding "How to pray Tahajjud step by step?" that I will explain now is the act of sleeping before the Tahajjud prayer. I want you to understand this because it is one of the key aspects of the Tahajjud prayer that must be well understood.

Before I go into detail about sleeping before the Tahajjud prayer, I will first quote a hadith related to it. The hadith about sleeping before Tahajjud is as follows:

وَقَالَ سَلْمَانُ لأَبِي الدَّرْدَاءِ رَضِىَ اللهُ عَنْهُمَا : نَمْ ‏.‏ فَلَمَّا كَانَ مِنْ آخِرِ اللَّيْلِ قَالَ : قُمْ ‏.‏ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ ‏:‏ صَدَقَ سَلْمَانُ

Salman said to Abu Darda radliyallahu anhuma, "Go to sleep." At the end of the night, he said, "Get up." The Prophet (Muhammad) sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said, "Salman is right."

عَنِ الأَسْوَدِ، قَالَ : سَأَلْتُ عَائِشَةَ رَضِىَ اللهُ عَنْهَا : كَيْفَ صَلاَةُ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ بِاللَّيْلِ ؟ قَالَتْ : كَانَ يَنَامُ أَوَّلَهُ وَيَقُومُ آخِرَهُ ، فَيُصَلِّي ثُمَّ يَرْجِعُ إِلَى فِرَاشِهِ ، فَإِذَا أَذَّنَ الْمُؤَذِّنُ وَثَبَ ، فَإِنْ كَانَ بِهِ حَاجَةٌ اغْتَسَلَ ، وَإِلاَّ تَوَضَّأَ وَخَرَجَ‏‏‏

From al-Aswad, he said, "I asked Aisha, 'How was the night prayer of the Prophet?' She replied, 'He used to sleep at the beginning of the night, and get up at its last part to pray, and then return to his bed. When the Mu'adh-dhin pronounced the Adhan, he would get up. If he needed to, he would take a bath; otherwise, he would perform wudu and then go out for the prayer.'"

Dear readers, if we understand the two hadiths above, we can conclude that sleeping before the Tahajjud prayer is necessary. In other words, we must sleep first if we intend to perform the Tahajjud prayer.

This is a brief explanation regarding the importance of sleeping before the Tahajjud prayer. As Muslims, we must grasp this concept well.

How to Pray Tahajjud Step by Step?

The important point regarding "How to pray Tahajjud step by step?" that I will explain now is a detailed response. So, I hope you can understand the explanation below thoroughly.

Generally, when we refer to Islamic legal literature regarding the Tahajjud prayer, we find five essential steps to be followed before and during the Tahajjud prayer. This is how you should perform the Tahajjud prayer, step by step.

The five steps are as follows:

1. Cleansing the body from minor and major impurities (hadas).
2. Wearing clean clothes for the Tahajjud prayer.
3. Finding a clean and pure place to perform the Tahajjud prayer.
4. Saying the niyyat for the Tahajjud prayer while doing the Takbir Ihram.
5. Performing all the obligations of the Tahajjud prayer. Adding voluntary (sunnah) acts during the prayer is even better.

Read Also: The Best Time to Perform Tahajjud Prayer According to the Quran and Hadith

This is a brief explanation of "How to pray Tahajjud step by step." As Muslims, we must understand this process clearly.

Niyyat for Tahajjud Prayer

The important point about "How to pray Tahajjud step by step?" that I will explain now is the niyyat for the Tahajjud prayer. I want you to understand this because the niyyat is one of the essential pillars of the Tahajjud prayer, and it must be memorized and understood well.

Niyyat in Islam is the intention or purpose behind an action. It is what distinguishes one action from another. In Islam, everything depends on the niyyat. If the niyyat is good, then the deed is good. If the niyyat is bad, then the action is bad. We find this explanation in the following hadith:

عَنْ عُمَرَ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهم عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ إِنَّمَا الْأَعْمَالُ بِالنِّيَّةِ وَلِكُلِّ امْرِئٍ مَا نَوَى فَمَنْ كَانَتْ هِجْرَتُهُ إِلَى اللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ فَهِجْرَتُهُ إِلَى اللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ وَمَنْ كَانَتْ هِجْرَتُهُ لدُنْيَا يُصِيبُهَا أَوِ امْرَأَةٍ يَتَزَوَّجُهَا فَهِجْرَتُهُ إِلَى مَا هَاجَرَ إِلَيْهِ

From Umar radliyallahu anhu, that the Messenger of Allah (Prophet Muhammad) sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said, "Actions are judged by intentions, and a person will only receive that which they intended. So whoever migrates for the sake of Allah and His Messenger, their migration is for Allah and His Messenger. But whoever migrates for worldly reasons or to marry a woman, then their migration is for whatever they migrated for."

The niyyat for the Tahajjud prayer is as follows:

أُصَلِّى سُنَّةَ التَّهَجُّدِ رَكْعَتَيْنِ مُسْتَقْبِلَ الْقِبْلَةِ لِلَّهِ تَعَالَى

"I intend to perform the Sunnah Tahajjud prayer, two rakats, facing the Qibla, for the sake of Allah Taala."

This is a brief explanation of the niyyat for the Tahajjud prayer. As Muslims, we must understand this.

How Many Rakats Are in the Tahajjud Prayer?

The important point about "How to pray Tahajjud step by step?" that I will explain now is the number of rakats for the Tahajjud prayer. I want you to understand this, as it is one of the key aspects of the discussion that must be well understood.

Before answering the question "How many rakats are in the Tahajjud prayer?", I will quote a hadith related to the number of rakats for the Tahajjud prayer. The hadith is as follows:

عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ رَضِىَ اللهُ عَنْهُمَا , قَالَ : كَانَ صَلاَةُ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ ثَلاَثَ عَشْرَةَ رَكْعَةً‏ (‏ يَعْنِي بِاللَّيْلِ‏)‏

From Ibn Abbas radliyallahu anhuma, he said, "The prayer of the Prophet (Muhammad) sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam was thirteen rakats (at night)."

عَنْ أَبِي الْعَبَّاسِ ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ عَمْرٍو رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُمَا ـ قَالَ لِيْ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ :‏ أَلَمْ أُخْبَرْ أَنَّكَ تَقُومُ اللَّيْلَ وَتَصُومُ النَّهَارَ ‏؟ قُلْتُ : إِنِّي أَفْعَلُ ذَلِكَ‏ .‏ قَالَ : فَإِنَّكَ إِذَا فَعَلْتَ ذَلِكَ هَجَمَتْ عَيْنُكَ وَنَفِهَتْ نَفْسُكَ ، وَإِنَّ لِنَفْسِكَ حَقٌّ ، وَلأَهْلِكَ حَقٌّ ، فَصُمْ وَأَفْطِرْ ، وَقُمْ وَنَمْ ‏‏

From Abu al-Abbas, he said, "I heard Abdullah bin Amr bin al-Ash radiyallahu anhuma say, 'Once Allah's Messenger (Prophet Muhammad) sallallahu alaihi wa sallam said to me, "I have been informed that you offer Salat (prayer) all night and observe Saum (fast) during the day." I replied, "(Yes) I do so." He said, "If you do this, your eyesight will weaken, and you will become frail. No doubt, your body has a right over you, and your family has a right over you. Therefore, observe Saum (for some days) and do not observe it (for some days), offer Salat (for some time), and then sleep."'

To all readers! If we understand the two hadiths above, we can draw several conclusions:

The first hadith explains that Prophet Muhammad sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam prayed at night until thirteen rakats. Among these were the Witr and Tahajjud prayers. Thus, we can assume that he performed twelve rakats in the Tahajjud prayer and one rakat in the Witr prayer.

The second hadith emphasizes that we should not force ourselves to perform acts of worship that we are unable to do, including the Tahajjud prayer. We can offer any number of rakats for the Tahajjud prayer. However, if we cannot perform many rakats, we should not push ourselves beyond our capability.

Now, if you ask me, "How many rakats are in the Tahajjud prayer?" the answer is at least two rakats, depending on what we can manage. If we can only perform two rakats, we must do just that. If we can manage four rakats, we can do four, and so on.

That is a brief explanation of "How many rakats are in the Tahajjud prayer?" As Muslims, we must understand this.

What Is the Best Dua After Tahajjud Prayer?

The important question regarding "How to pray Tahajjud step by step?" is closely related to "What is the best dua after Tahajjud prayer?" I want you to ensure that by the end of this discussion, you have a clear understanding of both topics.

Before I provide the answer to the question of what the best dua after Tahajjud prayer is, I will quote a related hadith. The hadith I am referring to is as follows:

عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ رَضِىَ اللهُ عَنْهُمَا قَالَ : كَانَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ إِذَا قَامَ مِنَ اللَّيْلِ يَتَهَجَّدُ قَالَ :‏ اللَّهُمَّ لَكَ الْحَمْدُ أَنْتَ قَيِّمُ السَّمَوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ وَمَنْ فِيْهِنَّ , وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ ، لَكَ مُلْكُ السَّمَوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ وَمَنْ فِيْهِنَّ ، وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ , أَنْتَ نُورُ السَّمَوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ ، وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ , أَنْتَ الْحَقُّ ، وَوَعْدُكَ الْحَقُّ ، وَلِقَاؤُكَ حَقٌّ ، وَقَوْلُكَ حَقٌّ ، وَالْجَنَّةُ حَقٌّ ، وَالنَّارُ حَقٌّ ، وَالنَّبِيُّونَ حَقٌّ ، وَمُحَمَّدٌ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ حَقٌّ ، وَالسَّاعَةُ حَقٌّ ، اللَّهُمَّ لَكَ أَسْلَمْتُ ، وَبِكَ آمَنْتُ وَعَلَيْكَ تَوَكَّلْتُ ، وَإِلَيْكَ أَنَبْتُ ، وَبِكَ خَاصَمْتُ ، وَإِلَيْكَ حَاكَمْتُ ، فَاغْفِرْ لِي مَا قَدَّمْتُ وَمَا أَخَّرْتُ ، وَمَا أَسْرَرْتُ وَمَا أَعْلَنْتُ ، أَنْتَ الْمُقَدِّمُ وَأَنْتَ الْمُؤَخِّرُ ، لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ أَنْتَ ـ ( أَوْ لاَ إِلَهَ غَيْرُكَ )

From Ibn Abbas radliyallahu anhuma, he said, "When the Prophet (Muhammad) sallallahu alaihi wa sallam woke up at night, he performed the Tahajjud prayer and prayed, 'O Allah, all praise be to You. You are the ruler of all the heavens and the earth and all the creatures in them. All praise be to You. The kingdoms of the heavens and the earth and everything in them belong to You. All praise be to You. You are the light of the heavens and the earth. All praise be to You. You are the True God. Your promise is true. Meeting You is true. Your word is true. Heaven is true. Hell is true. The Prophets are true. Muhammad sallallahu alaihi wa sallam is true. Doomsday is true. O Allah, only to You do I surrender. In You alone do I have faith. Only in You do I put my trust. Only to You do I turn for help. It is only because of You that I strive. And only to You do I seek justice. Forgive the sins I have committed and those I have not committed, the sins I have committed secretly and openly. You are the God who puts first and last. There is no god but You.'"

Dear readers, I want you to pay attention to the hadith above. Several sentences I have bolded in the hadith are the prayers recited after the Tahajjud prayer by the Prophet Muhammad. In my opinion, that is one of the best prayers to say after Tahajjud.

That is a brief explanation of "What is the best dua after Tahajjud prayer?" As Muslims, we must understand this.

Conclusion

In conclusion, understanding how to pray Tahajjud step by step is essential for Muslims seeking a deeper spiritual connection with Allah. The Tahajjud prayer, a Sunnah prayer performed at night after sleep, is a practice that holds great significance and honor, as highlighted in the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). It is important to sleep before performing this prayer, allowing oneself to rise during the last third of the night, which is considered the most blessed time for supplication. Each aspect of the Tahajjud, from intention (niyyat) to the number of rakats, emphasizes the importance of sincere worship and dedication. By following the outlined steps, including purification, wearing clean attire, and focusing on the intention to pray for the sake of Allah, believers can enrich their spiritual journey. Ultimately, embracing Tahajjud fosters a strong relationship with Allah and enhances one's devotion and righteousness. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask!

I believe that concludes this article. May it be useful. Ameen.

See you again in the next article!