Hi all readers! Are you looking for an information on How Many Rakats to Pray for Tahajjud?? If your answer is “Yes”, congratulations! Presently you are reading the right article. Why? Because that is what I will discuss in this article. As Muslims, we must understand that. That’s why I composed this article. So, you must read it throughout!
Specifically, there are a number of essential aspects of How Many Rakats to Pray for Tahajjud? which I will describe in this article. Some of the important points I indicate are as adheres to:
Definition of Rakats Tahajjud
The first crucial feature of How Many Rakats to Pray for Tahajjud? that I will explain presently is the definition of Rakats Tahajjud. I want you to understand that first before you learn more information in this article because that is among the significant parts in this discussion that has to be well understood.
Before I describe more about “How Many Rakats to Pray for Tahajjud?”, first of all, I will discuss the definition of Rakats in the Tahajjud prayer. Absolutely, you have to understand that first so you can understand everything about Rakats in the Tahajjud prayer which we’ll explain in this article.
Before I explain the definition of Rakats in the Tahajjud prayer, I highly suggest that you understand the definition of Rakats literaly. That will help you to understand the definition of Rakats in the Tahajjud prayer which we are discussing today.
In easy terms, you can find an description of the definition of Rakats in the sentences below:
رَكَعَاتُ الصَلَاةِ هِيَ : أَقْوَالٌ وَأَفْعَالٌ مَخْصُوْصَةٌ فِيْ الصَلَاةِ ، تَتَكَوَّنُ مِنْهَا ، وَكَيْفِيَتُهَا مُحَدَّدَةٌ بِاتِّبَاعِ الشَّرْعِ
Rakats of prayer are certain sayings and movements in prayer that are a component of prayer, and the manner of performing them is determined by following the Sharia.
If you understand the definition of Rakats as I have priced quote above, you can conclude that Rakats are the elements of prayer that consist of special sayings and movements in prayer. These sayings and movements are fixed in Islam. So, not all utterances may be uttered in prayer, just as not all movements may be performed in prayer.
Today, especially, I’ll say that the Rakats in the Tahajjud prayer are certain utterances and movements in the Tahajjud prayer.
That is a brief explanation of the definition of Rakats Tahajjud. As Muslims, we must understand that.
The Important of Rakats in Tahajjud

The second crucial feature of How Many Rakats to Pray for Tahajjud? that I will clarify now is the important of Rakats in Tahajjud. I want you to understand that now because that is one of the important components in this discussion that has to be well understood.
Possibly currently you’re wondering, “what is the important of Rakats in Tahajjud?”.
In the previous paragraphs, we have clarified that Rakats in the Tahajjud prayer are certain utterances and movements in the Tahajjud prayer. So, Rakat is one of the important components in the Tahajjud prayer
So, the response to the question “what is the important of Rakats in Tahajjud?” is as one of the crucial elements in the Tahajjud. Without Rakats, Tahajjud is void.
That’s a quick information of the important of Rakats in Tahajjud. As Muslims, we must understand that.
How Many Rakats in Tahajjud Prayer?
The third crucial aspect of How Many Rakats to Pray for Tahajjud? that I will discuss currently is “how many Rakats in Tahajjud Prayer?”. I want you to understand that now because that is one of the main thing in this discussion that has to be well understood.
If you ask me, “How many Rakats in Tahajjud prayer?”, the answer is, “There is no maximum limit for Rakats in Tahajjud prayer.” The reason is because Prophet Muhammad performed Tahajjud prayer with many number of Rakats. We can find this explanation in the following hadiths:
عَنْ مَسْرُوقٍ ، قَالَ : سَأَلْتُ عَائِشَةَ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهَا عَنْ صَلاَةِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ بِاللَّيْلِ . فَقَالَتْ : سَبْعٌ وَتِسْعٌ وَإِحْدَى عَشْرَةَ سِوَى رَكْعَتَىِ الْفَجْرِ
From Masruq, he said, “I have asked Aisha radiyallahu anha about the prayer of Messenger of Allah (Prophet Muhammad) sallallahu alayhi wa sallam at night. She then said, “7 (Rakats), or 9 (Rakats), or 11 (Rakats) apart from 2 Rakats in Fajr prayer.”
The hadith above explains that sometimes Prophet Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wa sallam prayed at night up to 7 Rakats, nine Rakats, or eleven Rakats. These Rakats are along with the two Rakats in Fajr prayer. So, we can think that he performed 6 Rakats or 8 Rakats, or ten Rakats in Tahajjud prayer.
That’s a brief information of “how many Rakats in Tahajjud Prayer?”. As Muslims, we must understand that.
What Is the Minimum Rakats for Tahajjud?
The fourth vital point about How Many Rakats to Pray for Tahajjud? that I will explain currently is “what is the minimum Rakats for Tahajjud?”. I want you to understand that now because that is one of the significant elements in this discussion that has to be well understood.
If you ask me, “what is the minimum Rakats for Tahajjud?”, the answer is 2 Rakats. We can find this description in the hadith listed below:
قَالَ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ عُمَرَ رَضِىَ اللهُ عَنْهُمَا : إِنَّ رَجُلاً قَالَ : يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ، كَيْفَ صَلاَةُ اللَّيْلِ ؟ قَالَ : مَثْنَى مَثْنَى، فَإِذَا خِفْتَ الصُّبْحَ فَأَوْتِرْ بِوَاحِدَةٍ
Abdullah bin Umar radliyallahu anhuma said, “Someone asked Messenger of Allah (Prophet Muhammad), “How to do the night prayer?” He said, “two Rakats, two Rakats. If you are worried that you will not be able to perform the Fajr prayer (because of that), then do the Witr prayer with 1 Rakat.”
The over hadith explains that Tahajjud prayer is performed each 2 Rakats. We can also conclude that the minimum rakat in Tahajjud prayer is 2 Rakats.
That is a quick explanation of “what is the minimum Rakats for Tahajjud?”. As Muslims, we must understand that.
How Much Maximum Rakats for Tahajjud?

The fifth important feature of How Many Rakats to Pray for Tahajjud? that I will discuss now is “how much maximum Rakats for Tahajjud?”. I want you to understand that now because that is one of the significant elements in this discussion that has to be well understood.
If you ask me, “”how much maximum Rakats for Tahajjud?”, the answer is “There is no maximum limit for Rakats in Tahajjud prayer because there’s no hadith that particularly explains the maximum limit for Rakats in Tahajjud prayer.” So, we can do any number of Rakats for the Tahajjud prayer.
But one necessary feature that we want to say here is that we must not force ourselves to perform the Tahajjud prayer with many Rakats which can burden us. As normal human beings, we have some obligations that we must carry out in the early morning. So, the Tahajjud prayer that we do should not be a factor for us not doing our commitments. Keep in mind! Tahajjud prayer is sunnah. If we do that, we will be awarded. But if we do not do that, we are innocent.
That’s a short explanation of “how much maximum Rakats for Tahajjud?”. As Muslims, we must understand that.
How Many Rakats Did the Prophet Pray for Tahajjud?
The sixth essential point about How Many Rakats to Pray for Tahajjud? that I will describe today is “how many rakats did the prophet pray for Tahajjud?”. I want you to understand that now because that is among the significant parts in this discussion that has to be well understood.
This is among the things that’s often asked by many Muslims: how many Rakats did the prophet pray for tahajjud? Before we describe the response to this question, we’ll quote several hadiths that particularly discuss the Rakats did the prophet pray for tahajjud.
Some of the hadiths that particularly discuss the Rakats did the prophet pray for tahajjud which we indicate are as complies with:
عَنْ عَائِشَةَ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهَا , قَالَتْ : كَانَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يُصَلِّي مِنَ اللَّيْلِ ثَلاَثَ عَشْرَةَ رَكْعَةً مِنْهَا الْوِتْرُ وَرَكْعَتَا الْفَجْرِ
From Aisha radiyallahu anha, she said, “The Prophet (Muhammad) sallallahu alayhi wa sallam prayed at night as many as thirteen Rakats of which were Witr prayer and 2 Rakats in Fajr prayer.”
The above hadith explains that Prophet Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wa sallam prayed at night up to thirteen Rakats which were 1 Rakat for the Witr prayer and two Rakats for Fajr prayer. So, we can presume that he performed 10 Rakats in Tahajjud prayer.
عَنْ مَسْرُوقٍ ، قَالَ : سَأَلْتُ عَائِشَةَ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهَا عَنْ صَلاَةِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ بِاللَّيْلِ . فَقَالَتْ : سَبْعٌ وَتِسْعٌ وَإِحْدَى عَشْرَةَ سِوَى رَكْعَتَىِ الْفَجْرِ
From Masruq, he said, “I have asked Aisha radiyallahu anha about the prayer of Messenger of Allah (Prophet Muhammad) sallallahu alayhi wa sallam at night. She then said, “7 (Rakats), or 9 (Rakats), or eleven (Rakats) apart from two Rakats in Fajr prayer.”
The hadith over explains that sometimes Prophet Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wa sallam prayed at night up to 7 Rakats, nine Rakats, or eleven Rakats. These Rakats are along with the two Rakats in Fajr prayer. So, we can presume that he performed 6 Rakats or 8 Rakats, or ten Rakats in Tahajjud prayer.
That is a short explanation of “how many rakats did the prophet pray for Tahajjud?”. As Muslims, we must understand that.
Is Tahajjud 2 Rakats?

The seventh necessary feature of How Many Rakats to Pray for Tahajjud? that I will clarify now is “is Tahajud 2 Rakats?”. I want you to understand that now because that is among the significant points in this discussion that has to be well understood.
This is one of the basic questions about Rakats in the Tahajjud prayer: is Tahajjud 2 Rakats?
Once again, I would like to say that there’s no maximum limit for Rakats in the Tahajjud prayer. The meaning is that the Tahajjud prayer may be performed with any even variety of Rakats (2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, and more). 2 Rakats are the minimum variety of Rakats for the Tahajjud prayer.
You can find this information in the hadith below:
قَالَ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ عُمَرَ رَضِىَ اللهُ عَنْهُمَا : إِنَّ رَجُلاً قَالَ : يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ، كَيْفَ صَلاَةُ اللَّيْلِ ؟ قَالَ : مَثْنَى مَثْنَى، فَإِذَا خِفْتَ الصُّبْحَ فَأَوْتِرْ بِوَاحِدَةٍ
Abdullah bin Umar radliyallahu anhuma said, “Someone asked Messenger of Allah (Prophet Muhammad), “How to do the night prayer?” He said, “2 Rakats, 2 Rakats. If you are worried that you will not be able to perform the Fajr prayer (because of that), then do the Witr prayer with one Rakat.”
That’s a short description of “is Tahajud 2 Rakats?”. As Muslims, we must understand that.
Can I Pray 4 Rakats of Tahajjud?
The eighth crucial aspect of How Many Rakats to Pray for Tahajjud? that I will discuss currently is “can I pray 4 Rakats of Tahajjud?”. I want you to understand that now because that is one of the significant components in this discussion that has to be well understood.
In the previous couple of paragraphs, I have clarified that the Tahajjud prayer can be carried out in 4 Rakats. So, if you ask me, “Can I pray 4 Rakats of Tahajjud?”, the answer is “Absolutely. You can pray 4 Rakats of Tahajjud.” Do not be confused about that.
That is a brief explanation of “can I pray 4 Rakats of Tahajjud?”. As Muslims, we must understand that.
Can I Pray 6 Rakats of Tahajjud?
The ninth necessary point about How Many Rakats to Pray for Tahajjud? that I will describe presently is “can I pray 6 Rakats of Tahajjud?”. I want you to understand that now because that is among the essential parts in this discussion that has to be well understood.
In the previous couple of paragraphs, I have described that the Tahajjud prayer can be carried out in 4 Rakats. So, if you ask me, “Can I pray 6 Rakats of Tahajjud?”, the answer is “Of course. You can pray 6 Rakats of Tahajjud.” Do not be confused about that.
That’s a brief information of can I pray 6 Rakats of Tahajjud?”. As Muslims, we must understand that.
How Many Rakats Are Best for Tahajjud?
The tenth important aspect of How Many Rakats to Pray for Tahajjud? that I will discuss currently is “how many Rakats are best for Tahajjud?”. I want you to understand that now because that is one of the main components in this discussion that has to be well understood.
This is among the popular questions of the Rakats in the Tahajjud prayer. Many Muslims ask this: how many rakats are best for Tahajjud?
Before we describe the response to this question, we will quote a couple of hadiths that particularly discuss the variety of Rakats that best for Tahajjud. Some of the hadiths we suggest are as complies with:
عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ : دَخَلَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فَإِذَا حَبْلٌ مَمْدُودٌ بَيْنَ السَّارِيَتَيْنِ فَقَالَ : مَا هَذَا الْحَبْلُ ؟ قَالُوا هَذَا حَبْلٌ لِزَيْنَبَ فَإِذَا فَتَرَتْ تَعَلَّقَتْ. فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ : لاَ ، حُلُّوهُ ، لِيُصَلِّ أَحَدُكُمْ نَشَاطَهُ ، فَإِذَا فَتَرَ فَلْيَقْعُدْ
From Anas bin Malik radliyallahu anhu, he said, “Once the Prophet (Muhammad) sallallahu alaihi wa sallam entered the Mosque and saw a rope hanging in between its two pillars. He said, “What is this rope?” The people said, “This rope is for Zainab who, when she feels tired, holds it (to keep standing for the prayer.)” The Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam said, “Don’t use it. Remove the rope. You should pray as long as you feel active, and when you get tired, sit down.”
عَنْ عَائِشَةَ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهَا قَالَتْ : كَانَتْ عِنْدِي امْرَأَةٌ مِنْ بَنِي أَسَدٍ فَدَخَلَ عَلَىَّ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فَقَالَ : مَنْ هَذِهِ ؟ قُلْتُ فُلاَنَةُ لاَ تَنَامُ بِاللَّيْلِ. فَذُكِرَ مِنْ صَلاَتِهَا. فَقَالَ : مَهْ عَلَيْكُمْ مَا تُطِيقُونَ مِنَ الأَعْمَالِ ، فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ لاَ يَمَلُّ حَتَّى تَمَلُّوا
From Aisha radliyallahu anha, she said, “A woman from the tribe of Bani Asad was sitting with me and Messenger of Allah (Prophet Muhammad) sallallahu alaihi wa sallam came to my house and said, “Who is this?” I said, “(She is) So and so. She does not sleep at night because she is engaged in prayer.” The Prophet said disapprovingly: Do (good) deeds which is within your capacity as Allah never gets tired of giving rewards till you get tired of doing good deeds.”
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’ve heard Abdullah bin Amr bin al-Ash radiyallahu anhuma say, “Once Messenger of Allah (Prophet Muhammad) sallallahu alaihi wa sallam said to me, “I have been informed that you offer Salat (prayer) all the night and observe Saum (fast) during the day.” I said, “(Yes) I do so.” He said, “If you do so, your eye sight will become weak and you will become weak. No doubt, your body has right on you, and your family has right on you, so observe Saum (for some days) and do not observe it (for some days), offer Salat (for sometime) and then sleep.”
عَنْ ابْنِ عُمَر رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُمَا : أَنَّ رَجُلاً جَاءَ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ وَهُوَ يَخْطُبُ ، فَقَالَ : كَيْفَ صَلَاةُ اللَّيْلِ ؟ فَقَالَ : مَثْنَى مَثْنَى، فَإِذَا خَشِيتَ الصُّبْحَ فَأَوْتِرْ بِوَاحِدَةٍ ، تُوتِرُ لَكَ مَا قَدْ صَلَّيْتَ
From Ibn Umar radliyallahu anhuma, “A man came to the Prophet (Muhammad) sallallahu alaihi wa sallam while he was delivering the sermon and asked him how to offer the night prayers. The Prophet replied, “Pray two Rakats at a time and then two and then two and so on and if you are afraid of dawn (the approach of the time of the Fajr prayer) pray one Rakat and that will be the with for all the Rakats which you have prayed.”
If we understand some of the hadiths above, we can conclude that best Rakats for Tahajjud are Rakats that doesn’t burden us. We should not force ourselves to do a lot of Rakats in Tahajjud prayer even though we are unable to do all of it.
That is a short explanation of “how many Rakats are best for Tahajjud?”. As Muslims, we must understand that.
How Many Rakats of Tahajjud Should I Pray?
The eleventh essential aspect of How Many Rakats to Pray for Tahajjud? that I will clarify currently is “how many Rakats of tahajjud should i pray?”. I want you to understand that now because that is among the essential components in this discussion that has to be well understood.
In the previous couple of paragraphs, we have described about the best Rakats for the Tahajjud prayer. We have also said that an excellent Rakats for the Tahajjud prayer is one that does not worry us.
So, if you ask me, “how many Rakats of tahajjud should i pray?”, the answer is “Rakats Tahajjud that don’t burden you. Rakats Tahajjud which aren’t the cause for you not having the ability to perform your obligations after the Tahajjud prayer.” So, just you know about it especially.
That’s a brief explanation of “how many Rakats of tahajjud should i pray?”. As Muslims, we must understand that.
Number of Rakats in Tahajjud or Tahajjud Total Rakats
The twelfth essential thing about How Many Rakats to Pray for Tahajjud? that I will explain now is number of Rakats in Tahajjud or Tahajjud total Rakats. I want you to understand that now because that is one of the significant points in this discussion that has to be well understood.
Now we’ll make some conclusions about the Rakats of the Tahajjud prayer (we truly hope you understand it all):
One: the minimum Rakats in the Tahajjud prayer is 2 Rakats.
Two: there is no maximum limit for Rakats in the Tahajjud prayer.
Three: the best Rakats of Tahajjud prayer are Rakats that we can do.
That is a quick description of “How Many Rakats to Pray for Tahajjud?” and some vital points about it. Hope it serves. Amen.
That is a short description of number of Rakats in Tahajjud or Tahajjud total Rakats. As Muslims, we must understand that.
That’s a brief explanation of How Many Rakats to Pray for Tahajjud? and some vital features of it. Do you understand? If you have questions, feel free to ask!
I think that is enough for this article. Hope it is useful. Amen.
See you again in the next article!