"What is Tahajjud and when should I pray it?"
Tahajjud is the voluntary night prayer prayed after waking from sleep, during the last third of the night (approximately 2-3 hours before Fajr). It is one of the most beloved prayers to Allah. The Prophet ﷺ said: 'Our Lord descends to the lowest heaven in the last third of every night and says: Who is calling upon Me, that I may answer? Who is asking of Me, that I may give? Who is seeking My forgiveness, that I may forgive?' (Bukhari)
وَمِنَ اللَّيْلِ فَتَهَجَّدْ بِهِ نَافِلَةً لَّكَ
Wa minal-layli fatahajjad bihi nafilatan lak
And from part of the night, arise and pray as an additional prayer for you — Quran 17:79
After your rakaats, sit and make personal dua in your own language. The Prophet ﷺ would say: 'Allahumma lakal hamd anta qayyimus-samawati wal-ard...' (O Allah, all praise is for You, You are the Sustainer of the heavens and earth). Then ask for everything — your deen, dunya, and akhira.
Tahajjud is minimum 2 rakaats and maximum unlimited — but the Prophet ﷺ typically prayed 8 rakaats of Tahajjud plus 3 Witr. For beginners, 2-4 rakaats is a complete and valid Tahajjud.
Qiyam ul-Layl (standing of the night) refers to all voluntary night prayers. Tahajjud specifically refers to the prayer prayed AFTER sleeping — you must sleep first for it to be Tahajjud. The Witr prayer done without sleeping first is Qiyam, not Tahajjud.
Tahajjud was obligatory only for the Prophet ﷺ (Quran 17:79 — 'an additional prayer for you'). For the ummah it is a highly recommended Sunnah Mu'akkadah — the Prophet ﷺ never left it, and it is one of the most beloved voluntary acts to Allah.
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