Tahajjud can be prayed from legal midnight to dawn, but the final hour before Fajr — where silence meets sunrise — is where many traditions say the prayer’s reward peaks.
The time for night prayer runs from the beginning of the religious midnight until the break of dawn (the time of the dawn prayer). However, it is preferable to perform this prayer at the pre-dawn hour, close to the call to Fajr. In narrations it is stated that the closer the night prayer is performed to the dawn prayer, the better it is.
Night prayer is one of the important recommended acts in Islam and carries many virtues and blessings. This prayer establishes a deep spiritual connection between the servant and the Lord and brings peace to the heart and soul.
You can perform night prayer from the start of the religious midnight until before the dawn call. Praying during this interval brings great reward; nevertheless, according to the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them), the closer the night prayer is to Fajr, the better.
Important note: The religious (legal) midnight differs from astronomical midnight; to determine it precisely one should consult a religious calendar.
Night prayer is commonly 11 rakʿahs performed as follows:
Eight rakʿahs: read as four sets of two rakʿahs (similar to the morning prayer) with the intention of night prayer.
Two rakʿahs: performed as the shaff (paired) prayer.
One rakʿah: performed as the witr prayer with the specific intention of witr.
Night prayer holds many virtues; among them are:
Drawing near to God: Night prayer is one of the best ways to approach God and attain His pleasure.
Peace of heart and mind: Performing night prayer brings tranquillity and reduces stress and anxiety.
Healing: Narrations report that night prayer brings healing to illnesses.
Forgiveness of sins: Repentance and seeking forgiveness during night prayer leads to pardon.
Fulfilment of needs: Night prayer is associated with the answering of one’s needs and wishes.
Find the suitable time: Choose a time with the least disturbance for your night prayer.
Prepare spiritually: Ready yourself mentally and spiritually; approach the prayer with a pure intention.
Begin gradually: If you cannot complete all rakʿahs initially, increase them gradually over time.
Night prayer and its timing — when to perform the night prayer
Tip | |
|---|---|
Aim for the pre-dawn hour | Pray as close to Fajr as possible — narrations indicate greater merit in the final part of the night. |
Start small and build | If 11 rakʿahs are too much at first, increase your number of rakʿahs gradually. |
Time it by religious midnight | Use a religious/fiqh calendar to determine the start of the night rather than astronomical midnight. |
Prepare mentally | Quiet yourself and intend sincerely before you begin for better presence and devotion. |
Choose a quiet slot | Pick a time with minimal disturbance so you can concentrate and gain spiritual benefit. |
