MUSLIMS TILL DEATH
AS-SALĀMU ‘ALAYKUM WA RAḤMATULLĀHI WA BARAKĀTŪHU
Let us begin tonight’s Islamic education. Our topic is:
TYPES OF PRAYERS
Episode 11
Tuesday, 15th September 2026
4 Rabī‘ al-Thānī 1448 AH
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🔹 ṢALĀT AL-TAHAJJUD
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تَهَجُّد
Tahajjud — The Late-Night Prayer
Tahajjud is a voluntary prayer performed during the night. It may be prayed after ‘Ishā’ and before Fajr. More generally, voluntary prayer during the night is known as Qiyām al-Layl.
Tahajjud is particularly associated with getting up after sleeping and praying during the night. The night prayer is one of the greatest voluntary acts of worship, and the last third of the night is especially virtuous.
There is no authentic evidence restricting Tahajjud to a fixed number such as four to twelve rak‘ahs. The Prophet ﷺ prayed different numbers on different occasions. He commonly prayed eleven rak‘ahs, including Witr, according to the well-known report of ‘Ā’ishah (raḍiyallāhu ‘anhā).
The night prayer is generally prayed two rak‘ahs at a time, and one may pray as much as Allah makes easy for them.
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The best time for the night prayer is the last third of the night. The Prophet ﷺ said that Allah's mercy is especially manifest at this time, and He calls His servants to ask Him for forgiveness and to make du‘ā’.
The Prophet ﷺ also encouraged beginning the night prayer with two light rak‘ahs.
A Muslim should also take into consideration his or her ability. The Prophet ﷺ taught that the most beloved deeds to Allah are those that are consistent, even if they are small.
Therefore, a person should establish a regular practice of night prayer without placing an unnecessary burden upon themselves.
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It is virtuous to wake during the latter part of the night and perform Tahajjud. However, if a person fears that they will not wake up, they may pray their voluntary night prayer and Witr before going to sleep.
If someone expects to wake up later, they may delay Witr until after their night prayer.
Allah ﷻ says:
“And during the night, pray with it as an additional prayer for you; it may be that your Lord will raise you to a praised station.”
[Qur’an 17:79]
The Prophet ﷺ also advised that Witr should be the last prayer of the night for the person who expects to wake up for night prayer.
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Allah ﷻ describes the righteous:
“Indeed, the righteous will be among gardens and springs, receiving what their Lord has given them. Indeed, they were before that doers of good. They used to sleep but little of the night, and in the hours before dawn they would ask forgiveness.”
[Qur’an 51:15–18]
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“The best prayer after the obligatory prayer is the night prayer.”
[Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim]
The Prophet ﷺ also said that there is a special period every night during which a Muslim's supplication is answered.
[Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim]
This should encourage us to use the quiet hours of the night to pray, seek Allah's forgiveness and make sincere du‘ā’.
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The Messenger of Allah ﷺ encouraged his Companions to establish the night prayer, explaining that it was the practice of the righteous before them, a means of drawing closer to Allah, and a means of expiation for sins.
[Jāmi‘ at-Tirmidhī]
The Prophet ﷺ also said:
“O people, spread the salām, feed people, maintain ties of kinship, and pray at night while people are sleeping, and you will enter Paradise in peace.”
[Sunan at-Tirmidhī; Sunan Ibn Mājah]
The night prayer is therefore not merely about performing extra rak‘ahs. It is an opportunity to strengthen our relationship with Allah, seek forgiveness, make du‘ā’, and worship Him sincerely when most people are asleep.
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🔹 ṢALĀT AT-TARĀWĪḤ
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تَرَاوِيح
Tarāwīḥ
Tarāwīḥ is the special voluntary night prayer performed during Ramadan, after ‘Ishā’ and before Fajr.
Tarāwīḥ is a Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ and is one of the great acts of worship of Ramadan.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Whoever stands in prayer during Ramadan with faith and hoping for reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.”
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī and Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim]
The time for Tarāwīḥ begins after the ‘Ishā’ prayer and continues until Fajr.
The Number of Rak‘ahs
There is a recognized difference of opinion among scholars concerning the number of rak‘ahs of Tarāwīḥ.
The Hanafi school traditionally practices twenty rak‘ahs, and this is also the practice followed by many Muslims and scholars throughout Islamic history.
Other scholars have held different views concerning the number of rak‘ahs. Therefore, Muslims should avoid condemning one another over this matter when the prayer is performed according to a recognized scholarly position.
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Tarāwīḥ may be performed individually or in congregation. Performing it in congregation is a well-established Sunnah, particularly because the Prophet ﷺ led his Companions in night prayer during Ramadan.
The Prophet ﷺ later stopped leading them every night because he feared that the prayer might become obligatory upon them.
‘Umar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb (raḍiyallāhu ‘anhu) later gathered the people behind one imam for the Ramadan night prayer, reviving the congregational practice.
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī]
Tarāwīḥ is highly encouraged for both men and women. However, it is not an obligatory prayer.
A woman who prays Tarāwīḥ at home is also performing a virtuous act of worship.
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According to the Hanafi method, twenty rak‘ahs of Tarāwīḥ are generally performed in units of two rak‘ahs, with salām after every two rak‘ahs.
After every four rak‘ahs, it is customary in many communities to take a short rest. This is one explanation for the name Tarāwīḥ, which is related to resting.
The precise manner and number of rests are matters of practice and should not become a cause of argument among Muslims.
What matters most is that we perform the prayer sincerely, with humility and concentration, seeking the reward of Allah ﷻ.
We should also remember that Tarāwīḥ is part of the broader worship of Ramadan, alongside the obligatory prayers, fasting, Qur’an recitation, dhikr, charity and sincere repentance.
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END OF TODAY'S EDUCATION
Subḥānaka Allāhumma wa biḥamdik, ash-hadu an lā ilāha illā Ant, astaghfiruka wa atūbu ilayk.
We shall continue on this topic tomorrow, in shā’ Allāh.
Questions, problems and complaints concerning this programme are welcome privately.
May Allah ﷻ strengthen our faith, keep us steadfast upon His obedience, accept our ṣalāh and all our acts of ‘ibādah, forgive our shortcomings, grant us beneficial knowledge, and grant us goodness in this world and in the Hereafter.
May Allah Azza wa Jalla forgive us, have mercy upon us, and grant us Jannatul-Firdaws.
ĀMĪN YĀ RABBAL-‘ĀLAMĪN.
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