<div style="text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 1rem;"><b>Tahajjud prayer </b>is a nafl or voluntary prayer. It is a night prayer that is offered to attain mental strength and peace. It is also known to avert acts of sin. Prayer (Salat) — one of the Five Pillars of Islam, is segregated into four main types:</span><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Fardh Salat: </b>The most important prayer in Islam; it is compulsory, and missing it is considered to be a major sin.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Wajib Salat:</b> It is compulsory, and missing Wajib Salat is regarded as a grave sin too.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Sunnah Salat:</b> Known to be Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) practice, Sunnah Salat is again segregated into two categories, namely Muakkadah and Ghair Muakkadah. The former is to be practiced regularly, and missing the same is regarded as a sin. However, missing the latter one, which is said to be practiced intermittently by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), is not considered punishable.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><b>Nafl:</b> The last of the four main types of prayer, Nafl is not compulsory and is usually performed for an extra virtue. Missing this prayer is not considered to be a sin.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">What is Tahajjud Prayer?</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Also known as Qiyam-u-lail, the Tahajjud prayer falls into the fourth category of prayers, i.e. Nafl, implying that it is optional and missing it isn’t counted as a sin. The Tahajjud prayer is usually performed after Isha (which is the compulsory nightly prayer) and before performing Fajr (the mandatory morning prayer). Tahajjud means to give up sleep, which is why this prayer is preferably performed during the last third of the night.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">According to Islam, Allah comes down to the lowest heaven during this part of the night to see who is dedicatedly worshipping and leaving their sleep in the middle of the night.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><b>Importance of Tahajjud Prayer</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Also known as the ‘night prayer’, the Tahajjud prayer is not considered to be obligatory. However, there is a great significance and several blessings associated with Tahajjud. Believed to be the most virtuous amongst the Nafl prayers, the Qiyam-u-lail is considered to be a part of the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“And from [part of] the night, pray with it as additional [worship] for you; it is expected that your Lord will resurrect you to a praised station.” (Quran, 17:79)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Those who perform Tahajjud prayer regularly are sure to earn the blessings of Allah. It is also said that this prayer brings a Muslim closer to the Almighty and his/her life is filled with peace and brightness. The holy Quran as well as several Hadiths emphasize the importance of Tahajjud prayer.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“And they who pass the night prostrating themselves before their Lord and standing.” (Quran, 25:64)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“The Lord descends every night to the lowest heaven when one-third of the night remains and says: ‘Who will call upon Me, that I may answer Him? Who will ask of Me, that I may give him? Who will seek My forgiveness that I may forgive him?’” (Bukhari, Muslim)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><b>How to Perform Tahajjud: Prayer Method</b></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Although this prayer isn’t mandatory, many Muslims around the world make an effort to incorporate Tahajjud prayer in their everyday routine to earn mercy and forgiveness from the Almighty. Here are some important guidelines, laid down by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), for performing this prayer:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><b>1. When to pray Tahajjud?</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">This special Islamic prayer is performed during the last third part of the night and before the commencement of the Fajr prayer. The time for this prayer is when angels descend from heaven on Allah’s command to take duas of all of Allah’s servants. It is during this time that Allah forgives the offenders, who have atoned for their sins.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><b>2. How many rakats are there in Tahajjud prayer?</b></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">One can repeat rakats as per their desire. For Tahajjud prayer, usually, two rakats are considered sufficient. As per the Hadiths, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) used to perform nearly 13 rakats frequently. Here, it is also important to remember that for Tahajjud prayer, rakats should be performed in pairs.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><b>3. How to prepare?</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Make proper arrangements to wake up in the third part of the night. This may include setting an alarm or asking family members to wake you up before the Fajr prayer.</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Clean your face, hands (till elbows), head, and feet (up to ankles) properly.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Find a peaceful and clean place to perform the Tahajjud prayer.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">When sitting down for the prayer, devote completely to Allah and His glory. All worries from the mind and heart should be eliminated.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Learn how to read clearly and properly.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><b>4. How to pray Tahajjud?</b></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">While starting the prayer, it is important to make a note in mind that the prayer will be completed according to the chosen way, which includes reciting a few rakats and surahs. Also, the purpose of saying the Tahajjud prayer should be decided, i.e. whether it is to seek the mercy of Allah, to thank the Almighty, or to glorify the supreme power.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Here is how to recite Tahajjud. To begin, two rakats of Salah are performed initially. One must stand and recite the verses from the Quran. Following this, praying continues by bowing to Allah while both hands are placed on the knees. Next, face the ground with palms, nose, and forehead touching the floor in complete devotion to the Almighty. In this position, the elbows are slightly raised and the feet folded. Then stand up and recite “Allahu Akbar”.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">After the rakats, you can add your own set of dua for the Tahajjud prayer. The dua should be sincere and completely devoted to Allah. While performing the prayer, one should acknowledge their misconducts and offenses, and ask the Almighty for mercy. Make a sincere promise to not repeat the mistakes and strive to become a better human being.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">bnbd24/kh</div>