How To Perform Namaz Tahajjud Step By Step?

How to perform Namaz Tahajjud becomes much easier when you stop treating it like a secret exam and start treating it like a quiet meeting with Allah. Most people begin the same way: one tired night, one alarm, and one sincere intention. Like a small startup, it starts messy. Then, with a little structure, it becomes steady.

What Tahajjud Really Is

Tahajjud is a voluntary night prayer offered after ‘Isha and before Fajr, usually after sleeping for some part of the night. It sits inside the broader idea of qiyam al-layl (night worship). Even two rak‘ahs can be a strong beginning, especially when you’re learning.

Many learners also benefit from simple learning resources on Islamic education websites, including www.quranmualim.com, for practical reminders and daily worship guidance.

Quran Proof: Night Prayer Is a Quranic Practice

1) The verse that names Tahajjud

In the Holy Quran Surah Al-Isra (17:79)
Arabic: وَمِنَ ٱلَّيْلِ فَتَهَجَّدْ بِهِۦ نَافِلَةًۭ لَّكَ عَسَىٰٓ أَن يَبْعَثَكَ رَبُّكَ مَقَامًۭا مَّحْمُودًۭا
English Translation: “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/17/79

2) Why the night feels more focused

Surah Al-Muzzammil (73:6)
Arabic: إِنَّ نَاشِئَةَ ٱلَّيْلِ هِىَ أَشَدُّ وَطْـًۭٔا وَأَقْوَمُ قِيلًۭا
English Translation: “Indeed, worship in the night is more impactful and more suitable for recitation.” Reference: quran.com/73/6

Hadith Proof: The Sunnah Method Is Clear

Night prayer is prayed in pairs

Sahih al-Bukhari 1137
Arabic (excerpt): صَلَاةُ اللَّيْلِ مَثْنَى مَثْنَى
English Translation: “The night prayer is two by two…”Reference: sunnah.com/bukhari:1137

The last part of the night is a prime time for du‘a

In the Hadith Sahih Muslim 758b
Arabic (excerpt): مَنْ يَدْعُونِي فَأَسْتَجِيبَ لَهُ
English (excerpt): “Who will supplicate Me so that I may answer him?” Reference: sunnah.com/muslim:758b

Also Read: Namaz Dua (Masnoon Duain) PDF Download

How To Pray Tahajjud Namaz Step By Step? Prayer, Beliefs , Faith, Namaz, Salat, Dua, Pillar of Islam, Muslim Praying, Arabic Prayer, Tahajjud

Best Time and Simple Setup

Tahajjud time starts after ‘Isha and ends at Fajr. Many people aim for the last third of the night, but you can pray earlier if that’s what your life allows. The goal is to build a habit you can repeat, not a perfect schedule you abandon.

If you want a beginner-friendly walkthrough, Islamic Relief’s guide explains timing and basic steps in plain language.

Step-by-Step: How to Pray Tahajjud (2 Rak‘ahs)

Below is a simple 2-rak‘ah unit. You repeat the same unit for each pair (2 + 2 + 2…), then finish with Witr if you haven’t prayed it yet.

How to pray a 2-Rak‘ah unit (repeat for each pair)

Takbir (start)
Arabic: اللهُ أَكْبَر
Transliteration: Allāhu Akbar
Raise your hands and begin.
Qiyam (standing recitation)
Recite Surah Al-Fatihah, then a short surah like Al-Ikhlas.
Al-Ikhlas (Arabic): قُلْ هُوَ ٱللَّهُ أَحَد
Transliteration: Qul huwa Allāhu Aḥad
Ruku (bowing)
Arabic: سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ ٱلْعَظِيم
Transliteration: Subḥāna Rabbiyal-‘Aẓīm (x3)
Bow calmly. Keep your back level if you can.
I‘tidal (standing up)
Arabic: سَمِعَ ٱللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ
Transliteration: Sami‘a Allāhu liman ḥamidah
Then:
Arabic: رَبَّنَا وَلَكَ ٱلْحَمْد
Transliteration: Rabbana wa lakal-ḥamd
First Sujood (prostration)
Arabic: سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ ٱلْأَعْلَى
Transliteration: Subḥāna Rabbiyal-A‘lā (x3)
This is a strong place for quiet du‘a too.
Jalsa (sitting between sujood)
Say:
Arabic: اللهُ أَكْبَر
Transliteration: Allāhu Akbar
Sit briefly with calmness.
Second Sujood (prostration again)
Repeat:
Arabic: سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ ٱلْأَعْلَى
Transliteration: Subḥāna Rabbiyal-A‘lā (x3)
Stand for the next rak‘ah
Say:
Arabic: اللهُ أَكْبَر
Transliteration: Allāhu Akbar
Then repeat steps 2–7.
Tashahhud and Salam (end of 2 rak‘ahs)
Read tashahhud (as you normally do), then end with salam:
Arabic: السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ ٱللَّه
Transliteration: As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa raḥmatullāh (right, then left)

That’s the core method. Once you learn this, you already know how to do tahajjud namaz—because it’s the same salah structure, simply placed in the night.

How Many Rak‘ahs Should You Pray?

Keep it realistic. A “small but steady” plan wins.

Minimum: 2 rak‘ahs
Comfortable habit: 4 rak‘ahs (2 + 2)
Stronger routine: 6–8 rak‘ahs (in pairs)

The hadith “two by two” gives you flexibility without confusion.

Where Witr Fits (So You Don’t Stress)

If you’re confident you’ll wake up, it’s best to end the night with Witr. The Prophet ﷺ said:

In the hadith Sahih al-Bukhari 998
Arabic (excerpt): اجْعَلُوا آخِرَ صَلَاتِكُمْ بِاللَّيْلِ وِتْرًا
English: “Make witr as your last prayer at night.” Reference: sunnah.com/bukhari:998

If you already prayed Witr after ‘Isha, you can still pray extra nafl later—just don’t repeat Witr.

Hanafi PDF Book Suggestions for Deeper Learning

If you want traditional Hanafi references (often available in PDF via Islamic libraries and publishers), here are dependable classics—different from the previous lists:

Fath al-Qadīr (فتح القدير)
Tabyīn al-Ḥaqā’iq (تبيين الحقائق)
Al-Bināyah Sharḥ al-Hidāyah (البناية شرح الهداية)
Al-Jawharah al-Nayyirah (الجوهرة النيرة)
Al-Nahr al-Fā’iq (النهر الفائق)

One Helpful Amazon Book

If you like a simple, step-by-step style book to keep nearby, this is an Amazon Kindle Edition:
“How to save Tahajjud my Life ?”

Also Read: Most Powerful Dua For Instant Miracle

Conclusion: Keep It Simple, Keep It Moving

Once you understand the “two by two” structure, how to perform namaz tahajjud stops feeling complicated and starts feeling personal. Start with two rak‘ahs tonight. Keep your recitation short but calm. Make honest du‘a. Then return again.

How to perform Namaz Tahajjud is not a one-night performance. It’s a quiet habit that builds strength—one sincere wake-up at a time.

Tahajjud Duas (Arabic + Transliteration & Meaning)

Arabic: رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّار
Transliteration: Rabbana ātinā fid-dunyā ḥasanah wa fil-ākhirati ḥasanah wa qinā ‘adhāban-nār
Meaning: “Our Lord, grant us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and protect us from the Fire.”
Arabic: اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي وَارْحَمْنِي وَاهْدِنِي وَعَافِنِي وَارْزُقْنِي
Transliteration: Allāhumma’ghfir lī warḥamnī wahdinī wa ‘āfinī warzuqnī
Meaning: “O Allah, forgive me, have mercy on me, guide me, grant me well-being, and provide for me.”
Arabic: يَا مُقَلِّبَ الْقُلُوبِ ثَبِّتْ قَلْبِي عَلَى دِينِكَ
Transliteration: Yā Muqallibal-qulūb thabbit qalbī ‘alā dīnik
Meaning: “O Turner of hearts, keep my heart firm on Your religion.”