How many rakats is tahajjud? is usually asked in the same sleepy, hopeful moment—when you’ve finally decided to “start tonight,” but you don’t want to get it wrong. It feels like launching a tiny startup in the dark: you have good intentions, limited energy, and one big question about the plan.
Why This Question Matters So Much
Tahajjud is a voluntary night prayer, so Islam keeps it flexible. That flexibility is mercy, but it can also confuse beginners. Some people hear “eight,” others hear “two,” and a few feel pressure to copy someone else’s routine. The good news is that the Sunnah gives a clear shape, not a rigid quota.
What Tahajjud Is in Simple Words
Tahajjud is night worship offered after ‘Isha and before Fajr, commonly after sleeping for a portion of the night. It’s also called qiyam al-layl (night prayer). A short background overview is available on Tahajjud (Wikipedia).
And yes—many learners also benefit from practical guidance shared on Islamic education sites like www.quranmualim.com.
Also Read: Dua After Praying – Do This For Rizq, Mercy & Blessings!
Quran: Night Prayer Is an Accepted Path
Allah mentions Tahajjud directly
Surah Al-Isra (17:79)
Arabic: وَمِنَ ٱلَّيْلِ فَتَهَجَّدْ بِهِۦ نَافِلَةًۭ لَّكَ عَسَىٰٓ أَن يَبْعَثَكَ رَبُّكَ مَقَامًۭا مَّحْمُودًۭا
English: “And rise at the last part of the night, offering additional prayers, so your Lord may raise you to a station of praise.” Reference: quran.com/al-isra/79
Allah also makes it doable
Surah Al-Muzzammil (73:20)
Arabic (excerpt): فَاقْرَءُوا مَا تَيَسَّرَ مِنْهُ
English (excerpt): “So recite what is easy of it.” Reference: quran.com/al-muzzammil/20
That one phrase—“what is easy”—is a calm reminder. Tahajjud is meant to build you, not burn you out.
Hadith: The Sunnah Gives a Clear Framework
The “shape” of night prayer: two by two
Sahih al-Bukhari 1137
Arabic: صَلَاةُ اللَّيْلِ مَثْنَى مَثْنَى
English: “The night prayer is two by two…” Reference: sunnah.com/bukhari:1137
This solves a lot of anxiety. You pray in pairs (2 + 2 + 2…), and you can stop whenever you need to.
The Prophet ﷺ often prayed 11 (including Witr)
Sahih al-Bukhari 1147
Arabic (excerpt): مَا كَانَ… يَزِيدُ… عَلَى إِحْدَى عَشْرَةَ رَكْعَةً
English (excerpt): “He never exceeded eleven rak‘ahs…” Reference: sunnah.com/bukhari:1147
This describes a common practice of the Prophet ﷺ, not a required number for every believer on every night.
Also Read: Meaning and Translation of Allahu Alam (الله اعلم )
So… How Many Rak‘ahs Can You Pray?
Here’s the beginner-friendly answer:
- Minimum: 2 rak‘ahs
- Maximum: no fixed maximum for voluntary night or 12 prayer
- Method: pray in pairs of two, and end with Witr if you haven’t already
Many scholars summarize it exactly this way: start with two, and increase as you’re able.
A Practical Menu of “Tahajjud Rakats”
Instead of chasing one “correct” number, use a simple menu you can actually live with.
Common options people choose:
- 2 rak‘ahs: best for beginners and busy schedules
- 4 rak‘ahs: a strong, sustainable habit
- 6 rak‘ahs: a growth step without feeling heavy
- 8 rak‘ahs: a popular routine for people who feel steady
- More than 8 pr 12: for nights when energy and focus are high
The key is not showing off. The key is consistency with calmness.
Also Read: Most Powerful Dua For Instant Miracle
A Startup-Style Plan to Build Your Habit
If you treat Tahajjud like a startup, your goal is a “minimum viable routine” that you can repeat, not a one-night masterpiece.
- Week 1–2: pray 2 rak‘ahs, then make du‘a
- Week 3–4: move to 4 rak‘ahs (2 + 2)
- Month 2: try 6 or 8 on weekends, keep 2 on weekdays
- Ongoing: grow slowly, without guilt
This is how worship becomes stable—by becoming realistic.
Where Witr Fits (Quick and Clear)
Some people pray Witr right after ‘Isha, especially if they fear they won’t wake later. That’s fine. If you wake up later, you can still pray more voluntary rak‘ahs—just don’t repeat Witr. If you expect to wake up, delaying Witr to the end of your night worship is often considered the cleaner routine.
Hanafi Notes, Without Overcomplicating
In Hanafi learning circles, you’ll often hear a strong emphasis on consistency and praying in pairs. Many Hanafi answers also discuss practical numbers (like 2, 4, 6, or 8) as workable routines, while keeping the voluntary nature clear. For example, Darul Ifta Birmingham’s Hanafi answer discusses Tahajjud rak‘ahs in a straightforward way.
If you’re searching for how many rakat is tahajjud, it helps to remember that the “minimum is two” point is the shared foundation, and differences are usually about habit and preference, not validity.
Categories: Namaz ,Zakat , Roza , Prayer , Hadith & Supplications
Three Trusted External Reads (Exactly Three)
To keep your learning grounded (and not based on random posts), these are useful:
- Tahajjud (Wikipedia)
- How Many Rak‘ahs in Tahajjud (Islam Question & Answer)
- How many rakaahs is the Tahajjud prayer? (AboutIslam)
One Amazon Book to Keep Near Your Prayer Space
If you like having a simple guide nearby, this is a focused read: The Tahajjud Prayer: Virtues & Technicalities (Amazon)
Hanafi Scholar PDF Book Names for Deeper Study
If you want traditional Hanafi foundations (often available in PDF through Islamic libraries and publishers), these are widely taught classics:
- Mukhtasar al-Quduri — Imam al-Quduri
- Al-Wiqayah—Burhan al-Shari‘ah
- Kanz al-Daqa’iq — Imam an-Nasafi
- Al-Fatawa al-Hindiyyah (Al-Fatawa al-‘Alamgiriyyah)
- Al-Mabsut — Imam al-Sarakhsi
These aren’t quick articles, but they build a strong base over time.
Conclusion: Pick a Number You Can Carry
When people ask how many rakats is tahajjud, they’re often really asking, “What can I do without quitting?” Start with two. Keep it calm. Then grow slowly when your body and schedule allow it. That’s how night worship becomes a lifelong habit, not a temporary burst.
If you remember one thing, let it be this: how many rakats is tahajjud matters less than whether you return again tomorrow. Keep returning. That’s where the real change begins.
FAQs
Are 2 rak‘ahs enough for Tahajjud?
Yes. Two is the minimum and a strong starting point. If you stay consistent, you can increase later without pressure.
Can I pray 8 rak‘ahs every night?
Yes, if it suits your schedule and you pray calmly. Pray in pairs of two, and keep quality stronger than quantity.
Do I have to pray the same number daily?
No. Voluntary worship can change based on energy and time. Some nights 2, other nights 4 or 8—your consistency matters most.
Should I always end with Witr?
If you haven’t prayed Witr yet, it’s best to end the night with it. If you already prayed it, don’t repeat it.
What if I only have 10 minutes before Fajr?
Pray 2 rak‘ahs quickly but respectfully, make short du‘a, and prepare for Fajr. A small, sincere prayer is never wasted.
Similar Posts:
- Can I Pray Tahajjud Without Sleeping?
- Can You Pray Tahajjud Without Sleeping?
- How Do You Pray Tahajjud? Learn Islam
- Virtues and The Benefits of Tahajjud Namaz
- Can You Pray Tahajjud After Witr? Learn Islam
- What is The Best Time To Pray Tahajjud Namaz?
- Powerful Dua After Tahajjud Namaz – learn Islam
- Dua For Tahajjud – Powerful Tahajjud Supplication
- Tahajjud Dua– Prophetic Supplications For Night Prayer
- Dua After Tahajjud Salah – This Can Change Your Destiny!
Recommended For You:
- How Many Rakats For Fajr Prayer?
- How Many Rakats For Zuhr Prayer?
- How Many Rakats For Asr Prayer?
- How Many Rakats For Maghrib Prayer?
- How Many Rakats For Isha Prayer?
- What Time is The Jummah Prayer?
- How to Perform Salah (Complete Namaz)
- What is the sitting between in Khutbah Called?
- Salat | Physical Benefits of Salat Prayer PDF Download
