How to Pray Tahajjud: Time, Rak‘at and Method
Tahajjud is the nafl prayer after waking at night. Learn its best time (with a last-third-of-the-night calculator), how many rak‘at to pray and how to pray it, with sources.
What is tahajjud?
Tahajjud is the nafl prayer offered at night after waking from sleep and before the time of Fajr begins (Bahar-e-Shariat, part 4, p. 42).
“The best prayer after the obligatory prayers is the prayer at night.” (Sahih Muslim 1163)
When is the best time? (with calculator)
The night is counted from Maghrib to Fajr, and the best time for tahajjud is the last third (Bahar-e-Shariat, part 4, p. 43). Enter today’s times to find it:
Find today’s Maghrib and Fajr for your city with our prayer times tool.
How to pray tahajjud
- Sleep after IshaTahajjud comes after sleeping (Bahar-e-Shariat, part 4, p. 42).
- Wake and make wuduWake up before Fajr and make wudu.
- Pray two rak‘at at a timePray at least two rak‘at; up to eight are proven from the Prophet ﷺ (Bahar-e-Shariat, part 4, p. 42).
- Make duaAsk Allah for what you need: this is the time of the hadith of Sahih al-Bukhari 1145.
- Before Fajr beginsFinish before true dawn (subh sadiq) (Faizan-e-Madina, March 2020).
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time for tahajjud?
The last third of the night (Bahar-e-Shariat, part 4, p. 43, citing Radd al-Muhtar). The Prophet ﷺ said that when the last third of the night remains, Allah asks who will call on Him, ask of Him and seek His forgiveness (Sahih al-Bukhari 1145).
How many rak‘at is tahajjud?
At least two; up to eight rak‘at are proven from the Prophet ﷺ (Bahar-e-Shariat, part 4, p. 42).
Do I have to sleep before tahajjud?
Yes. Tahajjud is the prayer offered after waking from sleep; a prayer offered before sleeping is not tahajjud (Bahar-e-Shariat, part 4, p. 42, citing Radd al-Muhtar).
Until when can I pray tahajjud?
Until true dawn (subh sadiq), when the time of Fajr begins (Madani Muzakarah, Faizan-e-Madina, March 2020).
Is tahajjud compulsory?
No, it is a nafl prayer with great reward. The Prophet ﷺ said the best prayer after the fard prayers is the prayer at night (Sahih Muslim 1163).
Sources
- Bahar-e-Shariat, Mufti Amjad Ali A‘zami, part 4 (English translation by M. Afthab Cassim): tahajjud, pp. 42–43 (citing Radd al-Muhtar).
- “Tahajjud end time”, Madani Muzakarah, Faizan-e-Madina magazine, March 2020, Dawat-e-Islami, citing Mir’at al-Manajih.
- Hadith: Sahih al-Bukhari 1145; Sahih Muslim 1163.
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Last updated: October 2026