How Is Tahajjud Prayer Performed?

How is tahajjud prayer performed?

Tahajjud prayer is a nafl prayer that is established when one wakes up at night after sleeping for a while following the establishment of ‘isha prayer. The Prophet Muhammad (saw) said, “If a man awakens his wife at night, and then both pray or both offer two rak’ahs together, the (name of the )man will be recorded among those who mention the name of Allah, and the (name of the) woman will be recorded among those who mention the name of Allah.” (Abu Dawud, Tatawwu’, 18) The fact that it is stated in another hadith as, “The most excellent prayer after the fardh prayers is the prayer during night.” (Muslim, Siyam, 202; Abu Dawud, Siyam, 55), points out that the nafl prayers established at night are more virtuous than the prayers established in daytime. The Prophet (saw) tried to establish this prayer continuously, in addition to his verbal encouragements, which shows that tahajjud prayer is a sunnah for us (Ibn Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar, II, 467-468). In some narratives, it is stated that the Prophet Muhammad (saw) would sleep after ‘isha prayer without establishing witr prayer, and wake up after midnight, establish night prayer for a while, then establish witr prayer, and afterwards establish fajr prayer when its time started (Muslim, Salat al-musafirin, 182).

The person who will establish tahajjud prayer may make niyyah (intention) as, “I intend to establish tahajjud prayer for the consent of Allah.” It is advised that tahajjud prayer is established in even numbers between 2 to 8 rakats. However, whoever wishes may perform more rakats as well. Altough it is better to give salam in every two rakats, one may give salam in every four rakats too (Ibn Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar, II, 468-469). While establishing in more than two rakats, if a person does not perform acts outside the prayer such as eating, speaking, drinking, etc., he does not need to repeat his intention. While it is established in four rakats, when we sit for tashahhud at the end of the second rakat, we recite the duas of Salli and Barik after al-Tahiyyat. And when we stand upright for the third rakat, we start with reciting Subhanaka, then recite isti’adha, basmalah, and Fatiha.

Source: Presidency Of Religious Affairs The Turkey, High Board of Religious Affairs FATWAS