Tahajjud/Night Prayer (Ahadith 461-462)

Salam,
Bismillah.

Hadith no. 460 is a repeat. Read it here: Debt and Ihsaan.

Volume 1, Book 8, Number 461:

Narrated Nafi’:

Ibn ‘Umar said, “While the Prophet was on the pulpit, a man asked him how to offer the night prayers. He replied, ‘Pray two Rakat at a time and then two and then two and so on, and if you are afraid of the dawn (the approach of the time of the Fajr prayer) pray one Rak’a and that will be the witr for all the Rakat which you have offered.” Ibn ‘Umar said, “The last Rakat of the night prayer should be odd for the Prophet ordered it to be so.

Volume 1, Book 8, Number 462:

Narrated Ibn ‘Umar:

A man came to the Prophet while he was delivering the sermon and asked him how to offer the night prayers. The Prophet replied, ‘Pray two Rakat at a time and then two and then two and so on and if you are afraid of dawn (the approach of the time of the Fajr prayer) pray one Rak’a and that will be the with for all the Rakat which you have prayed.” Narrated ‘Ubaidullah bin ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar: A man called the Prophet while he was in the mosque.

So it’s easy. 2 rak’aat at a time. And when you’re done, finish up with a witr (single rak’at).

Ibn Hajar says:

There was no specific time in which the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) would perform his late night Prayer; but he used to do whatever was easiest for him.

But the last part of the night (a while before Fajr starts) is recommended for Tahajjud because of this famous Hadith:

Narrated Abu Huraira:

Allah’s Apostle (p.b.u.h) said, “Our Lord, the Blessed, the Superior, comes every night down on the nearest Heaven to us when the last third of the night remains, saying: “Is there anyone to invoke Me, so that I may respond to invocation? Is there anyone to ask Me, so that I may grant him his request? Is there anyone seeking My forgiveness, so that I may forgive him?”

`Amr ibn `Absah claimed that he heard Muhammad saying:

The closest that a servant 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-Tirmidhi

Remember, Tahajjud is a voluntary prayer, but whoever performs it, is rewarded immensely. And the special bond and closeness that a person feels with Allah (SWT) by praying at that time, cannot be achieved with any other deed. So do try it. <3

P.S. it’s easier in Ramadan. Get up a while before Fajr (one has to get up for suhoor anyway), and pray as many rak’aat as you can. :)

Wassalam.

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