Tahajjud (Night Prayer) - Time, Rakahs and Method
Tahajjud is the night prayer after sleeping - the best prayer after the obligatory ones, prayed in the last part of the night when Allah descends to the lowest heaven answering whoever calls.
Also searched as: tahajjud ka tarika | tahajjud time | tahajjud rakats | tahajjud namaz method | qiyam ul layl
How to
Steps in order
- 1Sleep, then rise in the last third of the night and make wudu.
- 2Pray two short opening rakahs, then two-by-two up to eight with calm recitation.
- 3Recite the night-prayer opening dua and make long sujood with personal duas.
- 4Close with Witr (one or three rakahs with qunut dua).
- 5End with istighfar and dua before Fajr - the hour of answering.
When and how many
Sleep first, then rise in the last third of the night - divide the night between Maghrib and Fajr into thirds; the last third is the hour of answering. Pray two rakahs at a time (2+2), most commonly eight, then close with Witr - the Prophet, peace be upon him, generally prayed eleven in total including Witr.
Begin with two short rakahs, recite long and calmly, and end before Fajr begins - even two rakahs consistently outweigh long occasional nights.
The method
Use miswak, make wudu, and open with the night-prayer opening dua (Allahumma laka alhamdu anta qayyimus-samawat) - its Arabic is on our dua pages.
After every two rakahs rest briefly; finish with one or three Witr, then make personal dua - the last third is when dua is answered, so ask for everything.
Sources & review
Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim (night prayer; Allah’s descent in the last third)
Learn personal details from a qualified teacher; minor school differences exist.
Educational content — not a fatwa. See methodology and disclaimer.
Reviewed • 2026-01-01Our methodology
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Exactly when is the last third of the night?
From Maghrib to Fajr, divide into three equal parts - the final part (often 2-4am) is the last third. If unsure, the final 90 minutes before Fajr safely fall inside it.
How many rakahs is Tahajjud?
Two at a time with no fixed maximum; eight plus three Witr follows the Prophet’s common practice, while two rakahs consistently is the minimum beloved deed.
Can I pray Tahajjud without sleeping first?
Night prayer without sleep is Qiyam al-Layl and fully rewarded; Tahajjud specifically means rising after sleeping - scholars differ on the naming, not the reward.
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