1) Intention for Tahajjud: Before sleeping, one should make an intention to wake up for Tahajjud. If one is unable to awaken, then he will still receive the reward of having performed Tahajjud.
2) Method of awakening for Tahajjud
a) Sit up and rub the eyes thrice.
b) Make any form of zikr
c) Recite the last eleven verses of Surah Aal-Imraan from verse: 190 till the end. At least, recite from verse:191 to verse:194, or verse:190 to verse:191. One may recite these verses while still sitting. One could also recite these verses after standing up. If possible, recite these verses while looking towards the sky. (They should not be recited if one is in the state of janaabah. al-Minhaaj, commentary of Sahih Muslim)
d) Recite the Fourth Kalimah, and then the Third Kalimah. Thereafter, make dua, for it will certainly be accepted.
e) Make miswaak. The miswaak could be kept at one’s bedside.
f) If one has a need, he should relieve himself. After that, he may proceed directly to perform wudhu or may lie down for a while before performing wudhu.
g) Make a proper wudhu according to the Sunnah, without wasting any water.
h) Apply Itr (perfume) before beginning with the Tahajjud Salaah
Time of Tahajjud: According to some Ulama, Tahajjud can only be called Tahajjud if it is performed after awakening from one’s sleep. However, the reward of Qiyaamul Layl (salaah of the night) will be attained by performing any nafl salaah after Isha. (Raddul Muhtaar 2/25) According to others, Tahajjud and Qiyaamul Layl refers to any nafl salaah performed after the Isha salaah. (al-Bahrur Raaiq 2/56)
For the one who is confident that he will awaken during the night, he should perform his night salaah in the latter portion of the night. As for the one who is not confident of himself, it will be best for him to perform a few rak’ats after Isha and to then perform witr, as is mentioned in Munyatul Musalli and its commentaries. (Imdaadul Mufteen 2/359)
If such a person happens to awaken during the last portion of the night, then he can perform more rak’ats, and he will attain greater rewards.
A few Sunnah practices of Tahajjud Salaah:
a) Recite the duas which will be quoted hereunder after the Takbir-Tahreemah.
b) Recite the Qira’at during salaah slowly and clearly, according to the laws of Tajwid.
c) Make waqf - stop at the end of each verse of Surah Faatihah.
d) Make miswaak between every two rak’ats
Number of rak’ats:
a) It was the normal habit of Rasulullah صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم to perform 8 rak’ats of Tahajjud. He would perform 2 short rak’ats before this (to remove the effects of sleep and to develop a greater fervour for ibaadah, as well as with the intention of Tahiyyatul-Wudhu).
He would then perform 3 rak’ats of witr at the end of the night. He would perform another 2 rak’ats after this in the sitting position, in which he recited Surah Zilzaal and Surah Kaafiroon. However, Rasulullah صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم on some occasions performed 4 rak’ats, 6 rak’ats and 10 rak’ats. Two rak’ats of salaah at night are also acceptable. Rasulullah صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم encouraged his Ummah to perform some salaah at night, even if it is just 2 rak’ats and even if it is just for a short while.
b) It is best to perform Tahajjud in units of two rak’ats. If one wishes to perform Tahajjud in units of four rak’ats, that is also good.
Tone and extent of qira’ah: Rasulullah صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم would recite at an average tone, not loud and not so soft that he could not be heard. He would recite from various sections of the Qur’an, keeping the meaning in mind and actively responding to the messages of the Qur’an. He encouraged the Ummah to at least recite ten verses of the Qur’an in the night salaah.
Rasulullah صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم said: “Whoever recites ten verses in his qiyaamul-layl (salaah of the night), he will not be written amongst the negligent ones (the ghaafileen- those who have become unmindful and forgetful of Allah and His commandments). Whoever recites 100 verses, he will be written amongst the devout worshippers (qaaniteen). Whoever recites 1000 verses, he will be written amongst those who have earned a qintaar (of reward).” (Abu Dawud no.1400, Sahih Ibn Hibbaan no.2572, Sahih Ibn Khuzaimah no. 1144)
Length of ruku’ and sajdah and zikr in them: One should endeavour to lengthen the ruku’ and sajdah as much as one can. The ruku’, sajdah, qawmah and jalsah of Rasulullah صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم were so lengthy that they would seem as long as the qiyaam (standing posture).
According to one narration, the sajdah of Rasulullah صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم was so long that one would be able to recite 50 verses in that time. One may recite the normal tasbeeh during these postures. Many other forms of azkaar and du’as have also been narrated in the Ahaadith. One may recite any of those as well. We are also encouraged in the Ahaadith to make du’a (in Arabic, preferably using the du’as of the Qur’an and Ahaadith) in the sajdah posture, as it is the du’a which is most likely to be accepted.
Miscellaneous:
a) Moderation: Rasulullah صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم encouraged one who is feeling sleepy and does not know what he/she is reciting to rather lie down, until one is fresh and energetic again.
b) Waking up others: It is Sunnah to wake up others for Tahajjud, like one’s spouse and children. Rasulullah صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم encouraged us to awaken our spouses. He made du’a of rahmah (mercy) for whomsoever wakes up his/her spouse. Such a couple will be forgiven and written amongst those males and females who remember Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى in abundance.
c) Witr Salaah at the end: If one is in the habit of awakening for Tahajjud, he should perform witr right at the end, just before subh-saadiq. If one is unsure if he will awaken, then he should perform it before he goes to sleep.
d) Du’a: It is advisable to spend some time of the night in making du’a to Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى, since there are some moments every night in which one’s du’as will certainly be granted. The best time to engage in du’a at night is during the last 1/3 of the night.
e) Istighfaar: Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى praises those who spend their night awake in worship and engage in istighfaar (seeking forgiveness) in the last portion of the night.
f) Rest after Tahajjud at home by lying down on your right side. This will remove tiredness from you. If you happen to fall asleep, make a new wudhu.
g) Catch up if one happens to miss Tahajjud: If one happens to miss his/her daily practice of Tahajjud, perform it before the Zuhr salaah on the next day.
The full kitaab can be downloaded below or by using the following link:
https://spirituallight.org.za/node/762