The Number of Rak’ahs in Tahajjud Prayer: Understanding the Practice and Its Significance
Tahajjud prayer is a voluntary and highly recommended prayer in Islam, performed during the night after the obligatory Isha prayer and before the Fajr prayer. It holds a special place in the Islamic tradition due to its deep spiritual significance and the rewards that are promised for those who engage in it regularly. This article delves into the number of rak’ahs (units of prayer) in Tahajjud prayer, exploring its guidelines, variations, and the broader spiritual importance of this night worship in Islam.
What is Tahajjud?
Tahajjud is derived from the Arabic word “hajada,” which means “to stay awake” or “to spend the night awake.” It is an act of worship that requires Muslims to wake up after sleeping during the night to pray. This prayer is performed during the hours when the night is darkest, typically after midnight and before dawn, and it is an opportunity for Muslims to seek closeness to Allah through sincere devotion, supplication, and reflection.
In the Qur’an, Allah mentions the Tahajjud prayer in several verses, emphasizing its significance. One such verse is in Surah Al-Isra (17:79):
“And from the night, pray with it (the Qur’an) as an additional prayer for you. It is expected that your Lord will raise you to a praiseworthy station.”
This verse highlights the merit of the Tahajjud prayer and indicates its voluntary nature, yet its reward is significant. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) also highly recommended this prayer, as seen in many of his sayings (Hadith), further underlining its importance as an act of worship.
Number of Rak’ahs in Tahajjud
The number of rak’ahs in Tahajjud prayer is not fixed. It can vary based on the individual’s capacity and preference. However, there are several common practices and guidelines to consider when determining how many rak’ahs should be performed.
1. The Minimum Number of Rak’ahs
The absolute minimum number of rak’ahs for Tahajjud prayer is two rak’ahs. This is based on the hadith of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) where he said:
“Whoever prays during the night in two rak’ahs and has sincerity in them will be forgiven.” (Sahih Muslim)
Even though this is the minimum, it is highly encouraged to offer more rak’ahs if possible, as the longer one spends in worship during the night, the greater the reward and spiritual benefit.
2. The Common Practice: Eight Rak’ahs
The most common number of rak’ahs performed for Tahajjud prayer is eight. This number is based on the practice of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), who is known to have prayed eight rak’ahs during his Tahajjud, with each rak’ah being recited at a slow, reflective pace.
A hadith narrated by Aisha (RA) states:
“The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to pray in the night either two by two, and when he was about to pray a lengthy prayer, he would pray four rak’ahs, which was the longest prayer.” (Sahih Muslim)
The practice of offering eight rak’ahs is widely followed by Muslims and is often considered the standard. However, some interpretations of Islamic jurisprudence allow for a greater number of rak’ahs, depending on the individual’s capacity for worship.
3. More Than Eight Rak’ahs
There is no upper limit for the number of rak’ahs in Tahajjud. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) prayed more than eight rak’ahs during some nights, with some narrations indicating he performed up to twelve rak’ahs or more in some instances. The key here is that the prayer is voluntary, and there is no fixed number, allowing individuals to pray as many rak’ahs as they feel able to, provided they remain focused and sincere.
One narration from Aisha (RA) explains:
“The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to pray thirteen rak’ahs in the night, including the Witr prayer.” (Sahih Bukhari)
Therefore, some people may choose to pray more than eight rak’ahs, especially during the blessed nights of Ramadan, such as during the last ten nights when special emphasis is placed on night prayers and seeking Laylat al-Qadr (the Night of Decree), a night that is mentioned in the Qur’an as being more beneficial than a thousand months.
4. The Witr Prayer
A distinctive aspect of Tahajjud prayer is the Witr prayer, which is performed as the final prayer of the night. The Witr is an odd-numbered prayer and is often prayed as one rak’ah, three rak’ahs, or even five, depending on the individual’s preference. It is recommended to pray the Witr after completing the Tahajjud prayer, though it can also be performed before going to sleep.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“Make Witr your final prayer at night.” (Sahih Bukhari)
Thus, the Witr prayer is considered an integral part of Tahajjud for many Muslims and is offered at the end of their night worship.
Flexibility in Number of Rak’ahs
One of the defining features of Tahajjud is its flexibility. There is no rigid rule concerning the number of rak’ahs that must be offered. The key principle is that the prayer should be performed with sincerity and devotion. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) did not mandate a specific number of rak’ahs for Tahajjud, and the number could vary based on the time available and the individual’s ability.
Spiritual Benefits of Tahajjud Prayer
The Tahajjud prayer is not only an act of devotion but also a powerful means of spiritual purification and growth. Through regular engagement with this night prayer, a person can experience a number of profound benefits, both in this world and in the Hereafter.
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Proximity to Allah: The most significant benefit of Tahajjud prayer is that it brings the individual closer to Allah. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) described this prayer as a means of gaining Allah’s favor and mercy. He said:
“Our Lord descends to the lowest heaven during the last third of every night, saying: ‘Is there anyone to ask Me for anything, that I may give him? Is there anyone to ask for forgiveness, that I may forgive him?'” (Sahih Bukhari)
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Forgiveness and Mercy: Tahajjud prayer is a means of seeking forgiveness for sins and obtaining Allah’s mercy. The act of waking up in the night to pray demonstrates sincere repentance and a deep desire to seek Allah’s pardon. The Prophet (peace be upon him) also emphasized that those who perform Tahajjud are among those who are highly esteemed in the eyes of Allah.
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Spiritual Healing: Engaging in this prayer allows the worshipper to disconnect from the distractions of the world and focus entirely on spiritual reflection and supplication. This solitude fosters a deep sense of inner peace and healing, both for the soul and the heart.
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Answered Prayers: Allah promises to answer the supplications made during the Tahajjud prayer. Many narrations from the Hadith confirm that the time during the last third of the night is one of the most auspicious times for prayers to be answered.
Conclusion
The number of rak’ahs in Tahajjud prayer can vary depending on the individual’s ability and personal preference, with the minimum being two rak’ahs. Most commonly, eight rak’ahs are prayed, although there is no upper limit. The key to Tahajjud is sincerity and devotion, and its spiritual significance cannot be overstated. It offers an unparalleled opportunity for Muslims to deepen their relationship with Allah, seek His forgiveness, and benefit from the tranquility and rewards that come from worshiping Him in the stillness of the night.
By performing Tahajjud regularly, believers are not only following a noble Sunnah but are also enriching their spiritual lives in profound and lasting ways. Whether performed in two rak’ahs or more, the essence of Tahajjud lies in the quality of the worship and the purity of intention, and for this reason, it remains one of the most cherished prayers in Islam.