9. TAHAJJUD PRAYER

In The Name Of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Ordering His Messenger Prophet Muhammad S.A.W (PBUH) to perform Tahajjud (night rising) prayer, Allah says

Al-Isra (17:79)

 This order, although it was specifically directed to Prophet Muhammad S.A.W (PBUH), most Islamic scholars agreed that it should also be applicable (although not compulsory) to all Muslims since Prophet Muhammad S.A.W. (PBUH) is the perfect example and guide for all Muslims in all matters.

Moreover, performing Tahajuud prayers regularly qualifies a person as one of the righteous and helps one earn Allah's bounty and mercy. In praising those who perform the late-night prayer, Allah says

Al-Furqan (25:64)

When to perform Tahajjud prayer? Tahajjud may be performed in the early part of the night, the middle part of the night, or the later part of the night, but after the obligatory Isha' prayer (night prayer). Commenting on this subject, Ibn Hajar says, " There is no specific time in which the Prophet (PBUH) would perform his late-night prayer but he used to do whatever was easiest for him. 'Amr ibn 'Absah claimed that he heard the Prophet (PBUH) says, "The closest that a servant comes to his Lord is during the middle of the latter portion of the night. If we can be among those who remember Allah the Exalted One at that time, then do so". -At-Tirmidhi.

Now, let's view what Allah explains about Tahajjud prayer in surah Al-Muzzaqmil (73):-

Al-Muzzammil (73:1 to 3)

From ayat 73:2 to 73:4, some Muslim scholars interpret the timing as follows:

The keywords are :- 

(i) stand (to pray) all night except a little 

(ii) half of it, or a little less than that 

(iii) or a little more. 

Muslim scholars divide the Tahajjud prayer time into 3 periods i.e. the early night, middle night, and the latter part of the night. Now let's interpret item (i), (ii), and (iii) using this formula:-

For item (i), all night means except a little, which means after Maghrib (just after sunset)  prayer up to Fajr (near dawn or subuh).

If Maghrib prayer starts at 7.30 P.M. (based on Malaysian time today - 26/1/2014) and Fajr prayer is said, at about 6 A.M.  there will be about 10 hours 30 minutes of accumulated hours. Assume we need say, half-hour (30 minutes) to prepare ourselves for Fajr prayer, the total hours to be used for our calculation of the three (3) periods will be 10 hours.

Allah reaffirms that he is not asking those who wish to perform tahajjud to pray all night long (10 hours) but only a little or few hours of it. A little can be interpreted as little as 2 rakaat, which can take you say, 10 to 15 minutes of your time.

For item (ii), half of it, or a little less than that would mean 10 hours divide by 2 or say 5  hours. From 7.30 P.M. plus 5 hours, the early night will commence from 12.30 A.M. or a little less than that, would mean  (5 hours divided by 2) or say, 2 hours 30 minutes. 

So, from 12.30 A.M. plus 2 hours 30 minutes, the time for the early night will be from 12.30 A.M. plus 2 hours 30 minutes. So the time of the middle night will be 3.30 A.M.

For item (iii) or a little more (or the later part of the night) i.e. 6 A.M. less  0.30 minutes for us to prepare for Fajr prayer, the latter would be from 5.30 A.M minus 2 hours (we have deducted 30 minutes to prepare for Fajr prayer) or about 3.30 A.M. to 5.30 A.M.

Only Allah is Most Knowing on the correct formula of determining the timing but BUT let's not argue about the timing formula. Most importantly all of us Muslims try our very best to do the Tahajjud prayer. It's not easy but a religious teacher suggests starting with once a week, preferably Friday morning, and gradually increase the number of nights and eventually, every night.

More ayats on Tahajjud prayer

Adh-Dhariyat (51:15 - 19)

In ayat (51:19) Allah says again, Infaq (charity - see Topic 6) is still part of the duty of those who are people of taqwa.

Al-'Insan (76:25-26)

Al-'Isra (17:78-79)

The Writer was advised that Tahajjud prayer should be done alone (not in a jama'ah) and you can read the al-Qur'an in a slow pace manner while praying. You can hold the Quran (small Quran) on your left hand and recite the al Qur'an. Of course, if you can remember the surah that would be the best than holding the Qur'an while praying.

Hereon are a number of surah/ayat that you can understand the meaning of. The Writer will not clarify the connection but will end his writing hereon.

Al-Mulk (67:12)

Al-Mai'dah (5:81-85)

Al-Muzzamil (73:5 - 7)

Al-Ahzab (33:12)

Al-'Ankabut (29:45)

An-Nisa (4:43)

 

Al-Baqarah (2:177)

Al-Araf (7:96)

Taha (20:132)

Adh-Dhariyat (51:56-58)

Adh-Dhariyat (51:15-19)

ONLY ALLAH IS MOST KNOWING

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