Tahajjud prayer is a sunnah or nafl Salah that is done at night after the Isha Salah and after slept (even if only briefly). Tahajjud is a night prayer to achieve mental strength and peace of mind.
The tahajjud prayer is also performed to prevent sinful acts. A person who is accustomed to tahajjud Salah, he will be spared from sin in his life. Prayer is also one of the foundations of Islam. Prayer is also divided into four types, including:
1. Fardh Salah
The Fardh Salah is the most important Salah in Islam and leaving it is a major sin and is obligatory on the one who leaves it to make up for it (replacing it at another time). Fardh prayers are also known as obligatory prayers such as the 5 daily Maktubah Prayers.
Then, the fard Salah is divided into two. Fardhu ‘Ain and fard Kifayah. Fardhu ‘ain is an obligatory Salah for every individual who is mukallaf (baligh and ‘aql). While fardh kifayah is a prayer that must be done on behalf of the group, meaning that if there is already one person who does it, then the obligation has been released for others, such as the funeral prayer.
2. Sunnah Salah
Sunnah Salah or prayer is a Salah that is always done by the prophet SAW, sunnah prayer is also known as “an-nafl” and it is divided into two: Sunnah Muakkad and sunnah ghairu muakkad.
The sunnah muakkad Salah is a Salah that is highly recommended to be done, but if it is left it does not get punished. While the sunnah ghairu muakkad prayer is a prayer that is recommended to be done, but its degree is below the sunnat muakkad prayer. Both types of sunnah prayers are legal to do it is recommended (highly recommended and recommended). If you do it you will get a reward and if you leave it you will not get a sin.
What is Tahajjud Prayer?
Tahajjud is one of the Salah that are included in the sunnah muakkad prayer (highly recommended to do). The tahajjud Salah is done after waking up from a night’s sleep and after doing the Insha’a prayer.
There are also those who mention the Qiyamul Lail prayer, but there is a difference between Tahajjud and Qiyamul Lail. Qiyamul lail prayer can be done even if you haven’t slept at night. However, the tahajjud prayer must be done after waking up from sleep at night.
Importance of Tahajjud Prayer
Tahajjud is also known as the night prayer which is recommended to be done. This is not an obligatory prayer, but it has great virtue and blessing. The Qiyam-u-lail is considered to be a part of the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
“And from [part of] the night, pray with it as additional [worship] for you; it is expected that your Lord will resurrect you to a praised station.” (Quran, 17:79)
Doing the tahajjud salah has great virtues and benefits, especially when it is done regularly. A person who does tahajjud will have a bright, peaceful and blessed life. In the Qur’an and hadith mention the importance of doing Tahjjud prayers.
“And they who pass the night prostrating themselves before their Lord and standing.” (Quran, 25:64)
In a hadith, Rasulullah SAW said:
“The Lord descends every night to the lowest heaven when one-third of the night remains and says: ‘Who will call upon Me, that I may answer Him? Who will ask of Me, that I may give him? Who will seek My forgiveness that I may forgive him?’” (Bukhari, Muslim)
How to Perform Tahajjud: Prayer Method
The way to do the tahajjud prayer is the same as doing other prayers in general. It’s just that the difference is the intention to pray. In addition, there are several things that must be considered related to the method and procedures for implementing tahajjud.
Also See: Dua for Tahajud Prayer (Arabic and its translation)
1. When to pray Tahajjud?
The tahajjud prayer is performed at night after waking up from sleep and after praying ‘insha. But the best time to do it is in the last 1/3 of the night.
2. How many rakats are there in Tahajjud prayer?
At least the tahajjud prayer is 2 rakats, but as much as there is a difference between scholarsor ulama, some say 8 rakats, and some say there is no limit.
3. How to pray Tahajjud?
The procedure to perform tahajjud prayer is the same as doing other prayers. It’s just that the difference is the intention (niah) to pray. When doing the tahajjud prayer, we intend in our hearts to do the tahajjud prayer when we raise our hands at the time of takbiratul ihram. While other prayers such as dhuhur, of course we intend dhuhur as much as 4 rakats when raising two hands when takbiratul ihram.
So, how to do tahajjud is very easy and the dua that we read in prayer is also the same as reading in other prayers. What you have to pay attention to is to do it after praying insya and after we wake up at night. Limitation of doing it is until fajr (sunlight).
Benefits of Tahajjud Prayer with Hadiths
The tahajjud prayer if done regularly will provide many benefits and rewards in the sight of Allah. This is worship that is difficult to do because while other humans are sleeping, and we have to wake up to remember Allah and worship Him.
So, what are the benefits of praying tahajjud, here we see the benefits and hadiths related to it.
1. Tahajjud Salah is one of the best ways to get closer to Allah
In the hadith, the Messenger of Allah said:
“Be vigilant in standing up [in prayer] at night, for it was the practice of the pious before you. It is a means of gaining proximity to Allah Ta’ala, expiation for transgressions and a barrier from sins.” (Tirmidhi)
2. In the Quran it is mentioned that people who do tahajjud get a big reward.
“And the servants of the Most Merciful [Allah] are those who walk upon the earth easily, and when the ignorant address them [harshly], they say [words of] peace, and devote [part of] the night to their Lord prostrating and standing [in prayer].” (Quran 25:63-64).
Also check out: Duha Prayer Dua: Procedures for Execution, Time and Virtue [Complete]
3. The tahajjud Salah gives peace, tranquility and inner strength, avoiding sin.
Prophet (PBUH) said: “During the night there is a time when the Muslim does not ask for the good of this world and the Hereafter but it will be given to him, and that happens every night.”
4. One of the benefits of tahajjud Salah is to facilitate daily life.
“And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine. And whosoever puts his trust in Allah, then He will suffice him. Verily, Allah will accomplish his purpose. Indeed Allah has set a measure for all things.” (Surah Talaq Ch 65, V3)
5. The benefits of praying tahajjud also provide patience even though there are many problems that befall.
So, including the tahajjud prayer in the night routine can be useful as a calmer and peacemaker.
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “The closest that the Lord is to His slave is in the latter part of the night, so if you can be one of those who remember Allah at that time, then do so.” (Al-Tirmidhi and al-Nisaa’i)