Prayers at night

Ending your day with prayer is a wonderful way to let go of stress and find peace before falling asleep. No matter what you faced today, talking to God through goodnight prayers will renew your faith. Evening prayer also helps you see all the good things that happened in your day that you have to be thankful for!

Share these nine bedtime and evening prayers with your children, spouse and friends so they too can fall asleep feeling blessed and thankful! 

Goodnight Prayer for Blessings

Bless us with rest tonight, Jesus, and a good night’s sleep. Forgive us for the things we did today that did not honor you. Thank you for loving us so much and that you know us through and through. We need your help every day, and we thank you for the strength you give and for helping us know that with you, even hard things are possible. Bless our family and our home, and keep us safe through the night. May your angels guard us and watch over us, just like you promised.

You’ve told us we are just like sheep. And that you lead us and guard us like a shepherd. You know our names, and you make us feel special and loved. When we hurt, you help us feel better. Thank you, Jesus, for your good care and for giving us to help. Thank you for the Bible, and for teaching us stuff in life that helps us grow. Bless the people in our world, and help them to know you love them, too. Thank you for all the people who help us so much: teachers, doctors, policeman, and fireman—and so many more.

Thank you for your good plan for our lives. Help us to obey you and love you more and more. When we awake in the morning, put a smile on our face and your purpose in our hearts, ready to start a new day. We love you, Jesus. Good night. In Jesus’s precious name, Amen. ~ ~ Rebecca Barlow Jordan

A Bedtime Prayer to Stop an Anxious Heart

Dear Lord, please help me trust You and empower me through Your Spirit to stop my emotions from bossing me around. I want to quit worrying about what might happen and focus on what has already happened by remembering and praising You for Your faithfulness in my life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. ~ Renee Swoop

Giving Thanks Evening Prayer

Dear God, we thank you tonight for the good day and for the special way you take care of us all the time. Thank you for the fun times outside and the quiet times inside, and for helping us learn new things every day.

Thank you for creating us special, exactly the way you wanted. Thank you for protecting us throughout the day. Forgive us for the wrong things we do. Thank you for loving us even when we disobey or try to do things our way. Help us to always choose your way, God, because it’s always best. We pray for all the people who don’t know you, and that they will come to understand your love for them, too.

Bless our family and thank you for good times together and apart. Bless our friends and those we love, including our grandparents, our aunts and uncles and cousins. Thank you for our home and a place to sleep and good food to eat. Help us rest well, give us peaceful dreams, and send your angels around our home to protect us throughout the night. Teach us to trust you and to love you more and more. You are good; you are great; and you are faithful, God. And we love you. Good night. In Jesus’s precious name, Amen. ~ Rebecca Barlow Jordan

A Short Night-time Prayer (2 Timothy 1:7)

For God’s not given me a spirit of fear, 
But a spirit of love, 
and of power, and a sound mind,
To live each day and glorify his name. 

Popular Child’s Bedtime Prayer, 18th Century

Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
If I should die before I wake,
I pray the Lord my soul to take.

Alternative Version for Children:
Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep,
Watch and guard me through the night,
and wake me with the morning light.
Amen.

A Beautiful Prayer to End the Day

Heavenly Father, my day is drawing to an end, and I’m ready to turn in. But before I do, I have to thank you for your faithfulness today. It’s always a good day, even when things may not go the way I plan, or when the world seems in chaos, because you are in control.

For all the times when I was aware of your help today, all the times when your unseen presence seemed so near, thank you, God. But for all the ways you worked behind the scenes, unknown to me, moments when heaven-sent angels moved on my behalf in ways I’ll never know, thank you for those also, Lord.

Forgive me for any foolish actions on my part today or things I did without first asking your blessing or wisdom. Those are moments I’d rather forget, but I’m so grateful for your forgiveness when I ask. I never want to go to bed without clearing the air between us, Lord. Our friendship means too much, and your holiness deserves that. Thank you for loving me just as I am. Your love compels me to give you my all and fills my heart with praise for the relationship we share because of Jesus.

As I close my eyes tonight, I’m praying for loved ones around me, for friends and those who need to know you, Lord. I’m praying that your love, like the billions of stars in the night sky outside, will touch them and help them see who you really are. I pray for our world and those in it. I pray for their needs as well as my own.

Grant me a good night’s sleep tonight, God, so that I can awake refreshed and ready to begin another day loving you. Thank you again for blessings so undeserved and too numerous to count. I love being your child, and I long for the word “faithful” to describe my service to you, each day of every year. When I awake in the morning, may it be with a joyful smile, not a grumpy spirit. May your protection and your presence bathe this place with peace and safety against the enemy. Good night, Lord. In Jesus’s name, Amen. ~ Rebecca Barlow Jordan

Father, We Thank Thee

Father, we thank thee for the night,
And for the pleasant morning light;
For rest and food and loving care,
And all that makes the day so fair.
Help us to do the things we should,
To be to others kind and good;
In all we do, in work or play,
To grow more loving every day.
— Rebecca Weston – 1890

Bedtime Prayer (song by Twila Paris)

Now I lay me down to sleep
I pray dear Lord that you will keep
Your eyes upon this sleeping world
Every little boy and girl

Bless the children far away
The ones who don’t know how to pray
Those who are not feeling well
The little one the slipped and fell

Bless the puppy down the street
The neighbors I have yet to meet
Bless my mom and dad especially

Just one more thing I’d like to say
Before I close another day
I’d like to thank you Lord for all the ways
That You bless me

Bless the child whose home is torn
The babies who are not yet born
Bless the ones who take your word
To all the hearts that have not heard

Bless all your children everywhere
I hope they know how much you care
Maybe someday I can go
And tell them that You love them so

Bless Grandma and my Grandpa too
And all my friend and all they do
Bless every twig upon my family tree

Just one more thing I’ll say to you
I’m so amazed by all you do
I’ll thank you once again because it’s true
That you bless me

The Examen (Evening Reflection)

Written by St. Ignatius Loyola, the Examen is a daily process for prayerfully reflecting on your day. 

1. Remember God’s presence.
Even after a trying day, God will quiet your soul as you remember His presence and intentionally seek to enter into it. Remember He’s with you. Invite Him to make Himself present to you. 

2. Respond to Him with thanks.
Giving thanks gives God glory and helps us look on the bright side of a bad day. What small blessings can you thank God for?

3. Reflect on how God showed Himself to you.
God reveals himself through scripture, but we also see glimpses of him in nature, events, and people. Sometimes He shows up loudly through miraculous, divine intervention. Other times He shows Himself quietly through the beauty of a flower or an earnest conversation. As you look back over your day, can you identify moments where you sensed God’s revelation or intervention? 

4. Repent of your failings.
I don’t like recognizing my own sin, but repentance is key to continual renewal in our relationship with God.As you reflect on your day, remember specific points where you failed. Bring your shortcomings before God and ask Him to forgive you.  

5. Resolve to grow. 
God is in the business of changing us, so don’t let your failings discourage or define you. His mercies are always new. Accept His forgiveness. Ask Him for grace to change. Is there anything you need to make right or anyone you need to apologize to? What can you do differently tomorrow?

Do you have a favorite goodnight prayer you use at bedtime? One that your parents taught you or that you are teaching your children? Share it with our community in the comments below!

This article is part of our larger Prayers resource meant to inspire and encourage your prayer life when you face uncertain times. Visit our most popular prayers if you are wondering how to pray or what to pray. Remember, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us and God knows your heart even if you can’t find the words to pray.

Prayer for Healing

Prayer for StrengthPrayer for ProtectionMorning PrayersGood Night PrayersThe Prayer of JabezShort PrayersThe Lord’s PrayerThe Prayer of St FrancisSerenity PrayerA Birthday PrayerSinner’s PrayerPrayer for ForgivenessPrayer for GuidanceIntercessory PrayerIrish Prayers and BlessingsAdvent PrayersChristmas PrayersThanksgiving PrayerHoly Week Prayers for Each DayEaster PrayersMother’s Day PrayerPrayers for My HusbandPrayers for My SonPrayers for My DaughterPrayer Quotes

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Verily, praying at night is one of the best acts of obedience and the most exalted worship after the obligatory prayers

All praise is due to Allah, and prayers and peace of Allah be upon the Messenger of Allah.

O dear beloved young Muslim brother,

Your provision is in the daytime. On the other hand, the fuel of your movement toward Allah Almighty and the support for tolerating the hardships and heavy duties and the order of your Lord to His Prophet (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) is staying awake at night. Yes, staying awake at night, but it is not any awakening; it is awakening for the sake of Allah; it is awakening at the dawn and silent nights to invoke your Lord and weep between the hands of your God; it is praying at night, which was the custom of our righteous forefathers. So, what is your share in it?

Let us learn and apply what we know, in order to have our affairs in its best status and have our Lord pleased with us.

Dear beloved brother, do you observe prayer at night?

Verily, praying at night is one of the best acts of obedience and the most exalted worship after the obligatory prayers. When the Truthful (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) was asked about the best prayer after the obligatory prayers, he said: “The best prayer after the obligatory prayer is praying at night.”

«أفضل الصلاة بعد الصلاة المكتوبة، الصلاة في جوف الليل» رواه مسلم

And it is narrated on the authority of Abu Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “There are three (kinds of people) who Allah loves, and there are three (kinds of people) Allah doesn’t love. The man who meets the enemy among a group, so he faces the enemy till he is killed or till he brings victory to his group; people travel for long time in night till they like having rest and get down, but one of them goes aside to pray then awakens them to continue their travel; and a man has a neighbor who abuses him, but he tolerates his abusing till death or decampment separates between them. As for those whom Allah doesn’t love; they are, the dealer who swears a lot, the arrogant poor person, and the stingy person who reminds others with his beneficence.”

«ثلاثة يحبهم الله، وثلاثة يشنؤهم الله: الرجل يلقى العدو في فئة فينصب لهم نحره حتى يقتل أو يفتح لأصحابه؛ والقوم يسافرون فيطول سراهم حتى يحبوا أن يمسوا الأرض فينزلون؛ فيتنحى أحدهم فيصلي حتى يوقظهم لرحيلهم، والرجل يكون له الجار يؤذيه جاره فيصبر على أذاه حتى يفرق بينهما موت أو طعن، والذين يشنؤهم الله: التاجر الحلاف، والفقير المختال؛ والبخيل المنان» صححه الألباني

Indeed, the merit of this prayer is known, because none could tolerate it except a pious person. And may Allah mercy Qatada ibn Du’ama who said: “Rarely, you could find a hypocrite awakes at night (for prayer).” Actually, he said the truth.

If praying ‘Isha` was heavy for the hypocrites, then what would you reckon would be for night prayer? In fact; to praying at night, the righteous servants hurry. Sheikh Al-Islam, Ibn Taymiyyah, says: “Sometimes, I find an issue difficult, so I seek forgiveness from Allah thousand times or more till He makes it easy for me.” And he said: “and I may go to the open places to roll my cheeks in the dust and say; O Teacher of Ibrahim, teach me.”

So, where are the righteous people in our time? Where are the monks of the nights and the knights of the days? Actually, they seem absent!

O you, who seek safety on the Day of Judgment, hold fast to standing in the face of Qiblah, because it is the gate of straightness, and revive this Sunnah then remind who may take benefit from your guidance, in order that you may be counted on the Day of Judgment among those who revived their nights; Allah almighty said: {They used to sleep but little by night } ,

{كَانُوا قَلِيلاً مِنَ اللَّيْلِ مَا يَهْجَعُونَ} الذاريات: 17

Transliteration: Kanoo qaleelan mina allayli mayahjaAAoona

and He Almighty said: {Their sides forsake their beds, to invoke their Lord in fear and hope, and they spend (in charity in Allâh’s Cause) out of what We have bestowed on them.}

{تَتَجَافَى جُنُوبُهُمْ عَنِ الْمَضَاجِعِ يَدْعُونَ رَبَّهُمْ خَوْفًا وَطَمَعًا وَمِمَّا رَزَقْنَاهُمْ يُنْفِقُونَ} السجدة: 16

Transliteration: Tatajafa junoobuhum AAani almadajiAAi yadAAoona rabbahum khawfan watamaAAan wamimma razaqnahum yunfiqoona

It is narrated on the authority of Salim Ibn Abdullah ibn Omar ibn Al-Khattab that the Messenger of Allah (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “How good Abdullah is, if he prayed at night!” Salim said: “So, Abdullah did not sleep at night but little”

«نعم الرجل عبد الله، لو كان يصلي بالليل. قال سالم: فكان عبد الله لا ينام من الليل إلا قليلا» رواه البخاري

And it is narrated on the authority of Abdullah ibn Amr ibn Al-‘Aas that the Messenger of Allah (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “O Abdullah, do not be like so-and-so; he used to pray at night, then he neglected it.”

«يا عبدالله، لا تكن بمثل فلان؛ كان يقوم الليل فترك قيام الليل» رواه مسلم

Dear beloved brother, praying at night is the provision of the patient and it is among the characteristics of the generation of the hoped victory. Furthermore, it is one of the things that the righteous forefathers hold fast to, and therefore, they became guided people and they guided others. O Allah, make us characterized with good, and do not make us just speakers of it. O Allah, make the little sleep sufficient to us, and provide us with awakening for obeying and invoking You. O Allah, help us to remember You, thank You and worship You well.

Dear beloved brother, care for observing night prayer, and begin by two Rak’as (or more) daily, and keep observing them.

And from Allah we seek success.

By: Mustafa Diyab

www.salafvoice.com

en.islamway.net

With closed eyes I sit in the temple of night, and worship Thee. The sunlight, revealing a million alluring things, has vanished. One by one I have closed the doors of my senses lest the fragrance of the rose or the song of the nightingale distract my love from Thee. I am alone in this dark, dark temple. I have left everything — but, where art Thou? Darkness is haunting; still, unafraid, I am groping, seeking, crying for Thee. Wilt Thou leave me alone? Come, show Thyself!

The door of my memory swings open. Throbbingly thrilled, my heart looks for Thee, but I find Thee not. Halt! Ye thronging, million thoughts and past experience: come not into my sacred temple! I close the bursting, thought‐pressed door and run everywhere to find Thee. Ah! Where art Thou?

Darkness deepens. As I sit silent, in anguish of despair, I behold a little taper of concentration burning within me. I stand up mentally, and madly rush through the dimly lighted temple. The farther I go, the deeper grows the gloom. I clasp the empty darkness in hope of seizing Thee. Finding Thee not, I return again, and see the taper dimly burning.

I sing outwardly a loud prayer. My large teardrops and my strong gusts of prayer almost extinguish the taper. I will pray no more with words, nor rush and run about in the temple of Stygian darkness, nor drown the taper with my tears. I will sit still, and command my breath to make no sound. I rebuke my boisterous love for Thee.

The taper of meditation burns brighter now.

O, how maddening! I cannot worship Thee with words, but only with wistful yearning. Brighter the light grows: I behold Thee now. Thou art I. I worship Thee.

As night hides everything, so will I worship Thee in hidden silence.
I am glad with the joy of all minds. I will use the screen of the night to hide myself from the tempting things of the day.

O Night, when I am worried, throw thy veil of silent darkness around me. Create a dark temple for me wherever I go, that I may invoke and call Him, whom I love, at any time, anywhere, everywhere!

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In this Article:Article SummaryPreparing For PrayerSaying the TahajjudExploring the TahajjudCommunity Q&A10 References

The Tahajjud is a special Islamic prayer which is recommended (but not compulsory) for all Muslims. The Tahajjud is prayed after Isha (the obligatory nightly prayer) and before Fajr (the obligatory morning prayer). If possible, it is most desirable to perform the Tahajjud between midnight and Fajr, preferably in the last third of the night. Though the Tahajjud isn’t compulsory, many devout Muslims try to make it part of their daily routine as an act of worship and to earn redemption and forgiveness from Allah. To learn how to pray the Tahajjud in the way laid out by the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), see Step 1 below.

Part 1 Preparing For Prayer

1. Arrange to wake up after midnight.

   After praying the Isha prayer and before going to sleep, make arrangements to wake up during the night before the Fajr prayer (for instance, you may want to set an alarm clock or have a family member agree to wake you). Though the Tahajjud can be prayed at any part of the night, if possible, it is best to pray it after midnight, especially during the last third of the night. The time two-thirds of the way between Maghrib and Fajr is a good time for Tahajjud. This is because Allah descends to the lowest heaven during the last third of the night, asking, “Who is asking me, so I can give to him? Who is calling upon me, so I can answer him? Who is seeking my forgiveness, so I can forgive him?'”

   • If you make an honest effort to wake up and perform the Tahajjud but accidentally sleep through the night, don’t feel guilty. According to ahadeeth, Allah records your genuine intention to perform the Tahajjud and grants you sleep as an act of mercy. You will be rewarded as if your intention had been fulfilled. However, if you make a conscious decision to abandon your intention to pray Tahajjud without good reason, for example through laziness, then it may not be overlooked. t
2. 
3. Go somewhere clean, quiet, and dignified to conduct your prayer.

   This is done because Allah’s names are pure, so, whenever possible, Muslims are encouraged to speak of Him in clean, holy places as a form of reverence. Wearing your normal prayer clothes, sit down on a prayer mat and face the Holy Kabah in Mecca as you would for your obligatory prayers.

   • To be clear, you don’t need to be anywhere special, like a mosque or a lavishly-decorated room in your house, to pray the Tahajjud. All that’s needed is a spot that’s clean which can even be in your room.
4. Remove all worldly worries from your heart.

   At the time for prayer, calmly focus and reflect on the glory of your Lord. Do not worry about fleeting worldly problems that are ultimately meaningless in comparison to His infinite wisdom and mercy. Calm yourself and forget your worldly problems, hopes, and fears. Ignore any negative, distracting thoughts or feelings. Close your eyes and focus your attention on your heart as you begin to achieve a heightened state of spiritual awareness.

Part 2 Saying the Tahajjud

1. Make your intention to pray known.

   As you start your prayer, make a definitive mental declaration to yourself that you are about to perform the Tahajjud. Decide that you are going to complete the Tahajjud in the specific way you have chosen, including how many rakats and which surahs you will recite. Also decide

   why you are saying the Tahajjud — for instance, to glorify Allah, thank Allah or ask for His forgiveness. You don’t have to make this declaration out loud — Allah knows your thoughts, so your intentions will be clear to him as long as they are clear to you.

   • The Tahajjud is typically performed by repeating multiple rakats (cycles) of Salah, the ritual that Muslims use for their required daily prayer. For the Tahajjud, the rakats are usually performed in pairs, so you’ll also want to decide exactly how many rakats you intend to perform at this time. See below for more information.
2. Perform two rakats.

   To begin your Tahajjud, start by performing two rakats (cycles) of

   Salah

   . Salah begins by standing and reciting verses from the Holy Quran. Then, the person praying continues by bowing low with his hands on his knees, then prostrating on the ground with his forehead, nose, and palms on the floor and his elbows raised, sitting on his knees with his feet folded under him, and finally standing and reciting “Allahu Akbar.” This description of Salah is a generalization — if you’re not sure how to perform Salah properly, learn this

   fundamental Muslim skill

   before attempting the Tahajjud.

   • Emulate the practices of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) who used to recite the following surahs after each rakat in Tahajjud:
     • After reciting the Al-Fatihah the first rakat, recite the surah “Al-Kafirun”.
     • After reciting the Al-Fatihah for the second rakat, recite the surah “Al-Ikhlas”.
3. Repeat rakats as you wish.

   Generally, two rakats is seen as the minimum necessary for a proper Tahajjud. However, it’s possible to repeat as many more as you wish. For instance, according to the Hadiths, the Prophet Muhammad frequently prayed up to thirteen rakats.

   Tahajjud rakats are performed in pairs and eight rakats is seen as a good number by many Muslims. In other words, most people will say two, four, six, or eight rakats, though more is not discouraged.

   • If you are able to, then reciting long surahs such as Al-Baqarah, An-Nisā’ or Al-‘Imran are highly commended, even if you can manage them only from time to time.
   • Following in the example of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), if you notice dawn approaching while you say your Tahajjud, you may end by performing one rakat as Witr (an optional pre-dawn prayer said before the required Fajr).
4. Add your own prayers (dua) after the rakats.

   After you’ve completed the number of rakats you set out to pray, you may add your own dua as long as they’re sincere, respectful, and done in complete devotion to Allah. These may be offered in extended prostration in your own words and language. You may want to offer additional thanks and praise to Allah, pray for strength and guidance, or make a special request for help. For instance, you may ask for blessings for a friend who is suffering through difficult times or help with your own worship or simply spend a few moments thanking Allah for a blessing that He granted you the previous day. Prayers should be offered with humbleness, fear, hope and patience. This is an ideal time to ask for forgiveness for your mistakes and sins as Allah is especially open to our repentance at night according to many ahadeeth.

   • Acknowledge each of your wrongdoings, however big or small – you may feel that some are insignificant, but Allah may still decide that a penalty is due. Sincerely promise not to repeat your sins and ask Allah for forgiveness.
   • Use the fear of displeasing Allah to drive yourself to become a better Muslim.
   • Never lose hope of Allah’s mercy for the Qur’an tells us more than 70 times that Allah is the Most Forgiving.
   • Any prayer you offer will be heard, and, if Allah wills, your prayer will be answered in kind.
5. 

   Go back to bed, if you become too tired to complete the Tahajjud. Because the Tahajjud interrupts your normal sleep, it’s not unlikely that you may be somewhat tired when you attempt the prayer. If, however, you’re so tired that you find yourself forgetting what you’re saying as you recite your prayers or you doze off in the middle of your Tahajjud, don’t attempt to complete the prayer. In this case, according to several ahadeeth, Allah notes your sincere willingness to complete the Tahajjud. You may go back to sleep without any need to be embarrassed or ashamed, but try to better prepare yourself next time, perhaps by going to bed earlier.

Part 3 Exploring the Tahajjud

1. Read scriptural passages about Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)’s observance of the Tahajjud.

   To gain a greater understanding of the unique importance of the Tahajjud prayer, you may want to consult any of the numerous references to the prayer in Islamic scripture. Most notably, the Tahajjud is mentioned in the Quran and discussed at great length in numerous ahadeeth. However, it is also discussed in the work of Islamic scholars throughout the history of the religion.

   • To start, try reading Book 21 (Prayer at Night) from Sahih Bukhari. No less than 70 ahadeeth in this book describe the habits the Prophet (pbuh) regarding the Tahajjud, which gives an indication of its significance in the life of a good Muslim. Commentary on the Tahajjud is also offered at multiple points in the Quran, including Surat 17:79 and Surat 39:9.
2. Consider saying the Tahajjud with your family.

   Muslim families are encouraged to pray the Tahajjud in communion with each other because both Muhammad (pbuh) and his wife Aisha recommended that husbands and wives should say the Tahajjud together.

   Performing the Tahajjud as a family allows you to come closer to each other in devotion to Allah and to show solidarity in your worship.

   • If you’re interested in trying this, ask your spouse and/or children to join you before the first night you plan to say the Tahajjud together, then, if they need your help to do so, wake them up and celebrate Allah’s infinite greatness and mercy in quiet prayer together. Children over the age of ten should be gently encouraged to develop the habit of praying Tahajjud when they are ready, but if it is too difficult for them to wake in the night then no blame should be apportioned and they should not be admonished, as long as they are up for Fajr and complete all their obligatory prayers correctly.
   • Encourage your children by reminding them of the rewards that are available for completing voluntary acts of worship like Tahajjud, and warn them of the consequences of not making the sacrifices that Allah expects and deserves.
   • Generally, families that pray the Tahajjud together make exceptions for members that need their sleep, like small children, the sick, and the elderly.
3. Emulate the practices of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).

   All Muslims are encouraged to live in emulation of the life of Muhammad (pbuh), Allah’s Messenger and the Seal of the Prophets. If you’re looking for guidance in performing the Tahajjud, you may want to study the ways Muhammad (pbuh) performed the Tahajjud and try to work these habits into your daily life. By striving to emulate the Prophet (pbuh)’s Tahajjud practices, Muslims can work towards the perfect ideal represented by him and, in doing so, become closer to Allah.

   • As noted above, Book 21 from Sahih Bukhari is a great place to start if you’re looking for information on Muhammad (pbuh)’s Tahajjud habits and practices.
4. Make the Tahajjud part of your routine.

   As an optional prayer, the Tahajjud certainly isn’t something that any Muslim should feel compelled to do and there is no punishment for missing it. However, many Muslims choose to practice the Tahajjud on a regular basis (if not every night) when they are able. Like all forms of prayer, saying the Tahajjud brings you closer to Allah. In addition, the Tahajjud is often associated with Allah’s gifts of forgiveness and redemption, making it a great way to seek correction for each day’s minor failures, sins and imperfect actions.

   • Remember that Allah appreciates regular acts of worship, so if you start praying Tahajjud, try not to give it up. If you’re interested in making the Tahajjud a regular part of your life, you may want to try setting a recurring alarm to wake you up during the night or even having a predetermined area in your house for performing this prayer.
   • If you are unable to commit to praying Tahajjud every single night, then try build up slowly by establishing the habit of saying just two or four rakats two or three times a week, whatever you can manage, with the aim of building up over time.

Community Q&A

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• Question

  Can I ask Allah after praying tahajjud for someone whom I want as my life partner?

  wikiHow Contributor

  Community Answer

  Yes, of course you can. You can pray whatever you wish to pray, but never lose hope if your prayer isn’t answered immediately. It may be answered one day in the future.

• Question

  Just converted to Islam, where can I get support?

  Find supportive forums and websites. Contact your local mosque, they’d be happy to help you.

• Question

  How can my dua be accepted soon?

  wikiHow Contributor

  Community Answer

  Your dua will always be heard by Allah who will answer it how and when it is best for you, even though you may not realize it at the time.

• Question

  How many rakat is tahajjud namaz?

  wikiHow Contributor

  Community Answer

  As many as you can before you fall asleep, although the minimum requirement is two. The Prophet prayed 13 rakah daily.

• Question

  Is 13 rakat okay for tajjud prayer?

  wikiHow Contributor

  Community Answer

  Yes, the Prophet Muhammed used to pray up to 13 rakats.

• Question

  I am confused about the timing of thajad prayer. For instance, if fajar starts at 6:15, can I wake up at 5:30-6:00, or do I need to wake up between 3:00 and 5:00?

  wikiHow Contributor

  Community Answer

  You can wake up at 5:30 for tahjjud but it’s more important that you do not leave the fajar prayer.

• Question

  Because of my work schedule I am unable to pray five times. Is tahjjud still applicable for me?

  wikiHow Contributor

  Community Answer

  No. Tahajjud is not at all mandatory but your regular five prayers are. So, you need to pray five times daily, no matter what.

• Question

  How many rakats are there in Tahajjud prayer?

  wikiHow Contributor

  Community Answer

  Tahajjud has a minimum of two Rakah. The maximum number is your choice. Every two rakah is paired as one unit.

• Question

  What are the surahs that should be recited in the rakaths of tahajjud prayers?

  wikiHow Contributor

  Community Answer

  It is said that Al-Kafirun should be recited in the first Rakah and Al-Ikhlas in the second Rakah. But this is not compulsory.

• Question

  Is there a certain time I should perform the Tahajjud prayer?

  wikiHow Contributor

  Community Answer

  Between Isha and Fajr. It usually should be prayed during the last third of the night.

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Tips

• “The site of this intention is the heart. By simply deciding in his heart to do this action, a person has made his intention. Hence it is not prescribed to speak the intention out loud when one wants to do the action. Rather speaking the intention out loud is a kind of innovation that was not narrated in the Book of Allah or in the Sunnah of His Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), nor was it narrated from any of his Sahabah (may Allah be pleased with them all). See al-Sharh al-Mumti’, 2/283.”
• Please ask a Muslim that you know to guide you with the pronunciation.
• Please beware that making the intention out loud before prayer is bid’ah (innovation)!

Article SummaryX

To perform the Tahajjud prayer, start by waking up in the middle of the night after midnight and performing Wudu by cleansing yourself. Then, find a quiet and clean place where you can pray, like your bedroom. When you’re ready, perform at least 2 rakats, or cycles, of Salah. After you finish your rakats, add in a few of your own prayers to the Tahajjud. When you’re finished praying, go back to sleep until morning. To learn how to incorporate the Tahajjud prayer into your daily routine, keep reading!

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Categories: Featured Articles | Muslim Prayer

In other languages:

Español: hacer la oración Tahajjud, Deutsch: Das Tahajjud Gebet verrichten, Italiano: Eseguire la Preghiera Tahajjud, Português: Fazer a Oração Tahajjud, Русский: совершить молитву Тахаджуд, Français: faire la prière de Tahajjud, Bahasa Indonesia: Melakukan Sholat Tahajud, العربية: أداء صلاة التهجد, Čeština: Jak provádět modlitbu Tahajjud

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