Virtues of Tahajjud Prayers

                                                  Virtues of Tahajjud Prayer!

*The Importance of Tahajjud.
Tahajjud Prayer or Qiyamulail is indeed part of the Sunnah of the Prophet Mohammad (Sallallahu Alayhi wasallam) which Muslims are preferred to follow all the time.

Allah Almighty says: “And during a part of the night, pray Tahajjud beyond what is incumbent on you; maybe your Lord will raise you to a position of great glory.” [Al-Isra’ 17:79]
This order, although it was specifically directed to the Prophet, also refers to all Muslims, since the Prophet is a perfect example and guide for us in all matters.
Moreover, performing Tahajjud Prayers regularly qualifies one as one of the righteous and makes one earn Allah's bounty and mercy. In praising those who perform the late night Prayers,
Allah swt says: “And they who pass the night prostrating themselves before their Lord and standing” [Al-Furqan 25:64]

*There are a number of hadiths that reinforce the importance of Tahajjud. 

Salman Al-Farsi quoted the Prophet Mohammad (Sallallahu Alayhi wasallam) as saying: “Observe the night Prayer; it was the practice of the righteous before you and it brings you closer to your Lord and it is penance for evil deeds and erases the sins and repels disease from the body.” [At-Tabarani]
Abu Hurayra (R.A) reports that the Prophet Mohammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, "The best prayer after the obligatory prayers is the night prayer." [Muslim]
Abdullah ibn Salam (RaziAllahu Anho) reports that the Prophet Mohammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, "O people! Spread the salams, feed others, maintain family ties, and pray at night when others sleep and you will enter Heaven safely." [Tirmidhi, Hakim]
Abu Hurayra (R.A) reported said that the Prophet Mohammad (Sallallahu Alayhi wasallam) said, "The best fast after Ramadan is the month of Allah, al-Muharram, and the best prayer after the obligatory prayer is the night prayer." [Muslim]

*Best Time for Tahajjud:

It is best to delay this Prayer to the last third portion of the night. Abu Hurairah (R.A) quoted the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alayhi wasallam) as saying:
“Our Lord descends to the lowest heaven during the last third of the night, inquiring: ‘Who will call on Me so that I may respond to him? Who is asking something of Me so I may give it to him? Who is asking for My forgiveness so I may forgive him?’” [Al-Bukhari]
Amr ibn `Absah (R.A) reported that he heard the Prophet Mohammad (Sallallahu Alayhi wasallam) saying: The closest that a slave comes to his Lord is during the middle of the latter portion of the night. If you can be among those who remember Allah the Exalted One at that time, then do so.” [At-Tirmidzi]

Samurah ibn Jundub (R.A) said: “The Prophet Mohammad (Sallallahu Alayhi wasallam) ordered us to pray during the night, a little or a lot, and to make the last of the Prayer the Witir Prayer.” [At-Tabarani and Al-Bazzar]

*Here are a few tips to help us pray Tahajjud each night:
1. Practice Qayloola (short nap) which is to sleep even for half an hour after Dhuhr if we can for this has much benefit in terms of being able to awaken for Tahajjud. Onl;y a short nap will suffice from between 15-20 minutes and no more than 30 minutes. Anymore than this may have negative effects with regards to being able to sleep again at night after Isha.
2. Sleep straight after Isha particularly in the summer months and then awaken for Tahajjud.
3. For women in particular it is easier to pray Tahajjud as they could awaken half an hour or 40 minutes before Fajr starts. Pray Tahajjud and then a little while later pray Fajr. For men it is better to awaken earlier and then sleep and awaken for Fajr with jamaat. Which is better? Fajr with jamaat (congregation) so waking up to pray Fajr with congregation should be a priority for men. If a man knows they will not be able to attend Fajr with jamaat then they may do what is recommended for women and that is to awaken 30-40 minutes before Fajr begins.
4. Avoid major sins in particular because major sins stop a person from being able to stay awake praying and worshipping Allah in the night.
5. Another alternative is to pray Tahajjud after Isha before sleeping. This is less reward but nevertheless still rewarding. A great scholar suggested that if one knows that one will not be able to wake up for Tahajjud then one can pray it before sleeping. Witr should be the last prayer of the night, so after one has prayed 4 fard of Isha, 2 Sunnah and 2 nafil then one can do an extra nafil with intention of Tahajjud and then end the night with Witr.

*Make effort and dua:
Therefore should try our best to pray Tahajjud as much as we can and if there was one habit that we would desire to gain then it is the habit of praying Tahajjud prayer every night for it is one of the best ways to get closer to Allah and gain high ranks in the hereafter as well as being able to make dua in the best part of the night. Once a person starts praying Tahajjud then they would NEVER want to go back or stop praying it because of the amazing feeling and sensation of elevation and hightened sense of satisfaction n contentment of the heart. There is no feeling like it and we should all aim to implement this prayer into our daily lives, no matter what it takes. Even if we can pray it once or twice a week then build up from there. The main thing is that we make the effort and most of all ask of Allah and beg of him to give us the ability to pray Tahajjud every night.
Ibn Mas`ud (RaziAllahu Anho) was asked, "I cannot pray at night." He said, "Your sins have prevented you."
May Allah swt give all of us the ability to pray Tahajjud every single night in order that we get closer to HIM. Aameen ya Rabb!!