When To Pray Tahajjud Namaz? Learn Islam

When to pray tahajjud is the kind of question that pops up when the house is asleep, but your mind is still wide awake. I’ve watched people run their days like a startup—meetings, deadlines, family, messages—yet still feel behind inside. Tahajjud becomes their quiet “founder hour,” where they stop performing for the world and start rebuilding the heart.

Amazon pick: “Qiyam ul Layl (The Night Prayer)” by Saeed Al-Qahtani

What Tahajjud is, in everyday words

Tahajjud is a voluntary night prayer. It happens after ‘Isha and before Fajr, and it’s often linked to waking up after some sleep. It isn’t one of the five daily obligations, but it’s deeply loved because it feels personal—like a private conversation with Allah in the quietest hours.

Why people call it a “life reset”

Most prayers fit into the rhythm of the day. Tahajjud breaks that rhythm on purpose.
It teaches you to step away from noise, ego, and hurry. And that’s why many people say their du‘a feels different at night—more honest, more focused, more real.

The short answer: the time window

You can pray tahajjud prayer any time after ‘Isha and before Fajr. Many Muslims try to catch the last third of the night, because authentic narrations highlight that period for du‘a and seeking forgiveness. Still, the “best time” is also the time you can repeat without burning out.

The “best” time vs the “most realistic” time

Here are three practical options:

After ‘Isha, before sleep (easy starter option)
Middle of the night (good balance for sleep)
Last third of the night (most emphasized in many narrations)

If you want a Hanafi-focused explanation for timing, this guide on calculating the last third of the night lays it out clearly.

Categories: Namaz ,Zakat , Roza , Prayer , Hadith & Supplications

When To Pray Tahajjud Namaz? Learn Islam , Prayer, Beliefs , Faith, Namaz, Salat, Dua, Pillar of Islam, Muslim Praying, Arabic Prayer, Tahajjud

A simple table to calculate the last third

This is the easiest “startup math” you’ll ever do: count the night, split it into three, and aim for the final part.

Step	What you do	Example (for understanding)
1	Note Maghrib (sunset)	7:00 pm
2	Note Fajr (dawn)	5:00 am
3	Total night length	10 hours
4	Divide by 3	3h 20m each
5	Last third begins	~1:40 am

This is why many people set an alarm 45–60 minutes before Fajr. It’s close enough to feel special, and long enough to pray calmly.

Qur’an verses that point you toward night worship

Tahajjud isn’t a trendy habit. It’s rooted in the Qur’an’s language of night devotion, humility, and hope.

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…” Reference: Read Qur’an 17:79 with translation.

Surah As-Sajdah (32:16)

Arabic: تَتَجَافَىٰ جُنُوبُهُمْ عَنِ ٱلْمَضَاجِعِ يَدْعُونَ رَبَّهُمْ خَوْفًۭا وَطَمَعًۭا
English: “They abandon their beds, invoking their Lord with hope and fear…” Reference: Read Qur’an 32:16 with translation.

Surah Adh-Dhariyat (51:18)

Arabic: وَبِٱلْأَسْحَارِ هُمْ يَسْتَغْفِرُونَ
English: “And before dawn, they would seek forgiveness.” Reference: Read Qur’an 51:18 with translation.

Hadith that explains why the late night is special

These narrations are the reason people ask when to pray tahajjud prayer in the first place. They show that the last part of the night is not “random time.” It’s an invitation.

Sahih al-Bukhari 1145

Arabic (excerpt): يَنْزِلُ رَبُّنَا… حِينَ يَبْقَى ثُلُثُ اللَّيْلِ الآخِرُ
English (meaning): The Prophet ﷺ described the last third of the night as a time of calling upon Allah, asking, and seeking forgiveness.
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari 1145 (Night Prayer).

Sahih Muslim 758b

Arabic (excerpt): مَنْ يَدْعُونِي فَأَسْتَجِيبَ لَهُ
English (meaning): A narration describing Allah’s call to make du‘a and seek forgiveness in the night until dawn approaches. Reference: Sahih Muslim 758b (Du‘a at end of night).

Sahih Muslim 1163a

Arabic: وَأَفْضَلُ الصَّلَاةِ بَعْدَ الْفَرِيضَةِ صَلَاةُ اللَّيْلِ
English: “The best prayer after the obligatory prayers is the night prayer.” Reference: Sahih Muslim 1163a (Virtue of night prayer).

How to perform Tahajjud prayer, step by step

If you’re searching how to perform tahajjud prayer, keep it simple. The goal is sincerity, not complexity.

Pray ‘Isha.
Sleep (even a short nap helps many people keep the “tahajjud” habit).
Wake up before Fajr and make wudu.
Pray 2 rak‘ah (you can add more in pairs).
Make du‘a in your own words.
If you pray Witr, keep it at the end of your night worship

A realistic “starter plan” for busy people

This is the problem-to-solution path that works for most beginners: start small, then level up.

Week 1: Two rak‘ah once or twice a week.
Week 2: Add a short, personal du‘a list (3 things you truly want).
Week 3: Try waking 45 minutes before Fajr for a calmer session.

If you want help with Qur’an recitation and learning, many learners also explore www.quranmualim.com as an Islamic site for study support.

Hanafi scholars’ PDF books to look for

If you want deeper Hanafi learning, these titles are often searched as PDFs in reputable Islamic libraries:

Shurunbulali — Maraqī al-Falāḥ (PDF)
Al-Tahtawi — Ḥāshiyat al-Tahtāwī ‘alā Maraqī al-Falāḥ (PDF)
Ibn Nujaym — Al-Baḥr al-Rā’iq (PDF)
Al-Haskafi — Al-Durr al-Mukhtār (PDF)
Shaykhzāda — Majma‘ al-Anhur (PDF)

A quick note for context (without overthinking)

Islam already has a beautiful structure for daily worship. If you want a broader explanation of ritual prayer, this overview of salat in Britannica gives helpful context on daily prayer as a foundation.
And for a simple background on the night prayer itself, this Wikipedia overview of Tahajjud is easy to skim.

Also Read: Tahajjud Prayer: How to Pray, What to Recite & Best Duas

Conclusion:

when to pray tahajjud becomes easy once you stop chasing the “perfect night” and start protecting a repeatable habit. Pray after ‘Isha if that’s what you can do. Aim for the last third when you’re ready. Either way, show up. Quietly. Consistently. That’s how hearts change—one unseen step at a time.

when to pray tahajjud can be your unfair advantage, the way a founder wins by working when others sleep. And when life gets loud again, remember this: you always have a private door back to Allah—if you’re willing to wake up and knock.

FAQs

What is the best time for tahajjud prayer?

Any time after ‘Isha and before Fajr is valid. Many aim for the last third of the night because of authentic hadith about that time.

Do I have to sleep before Tahajjud?

Tahajjud is commonly associated with waking after sleep, but night worship is still valuable even if you pray before sleeping. Start with what’s realistic, then build the “sleep and wake” habit.

How many rak‘ah should I pray?

Begin with 2 rak‘ah. If it becomes easy, add more in pairs. Consistency is better than a big number once in a while.

What if I can’t wake up in the last third?

Pray earlier in the night. You’re still doing a voluntary act of worship, and you’re training your routine for future growth.

What should I ask for after Tahajjud?

Ask for forgiveness, guidance, halal rizq, healing, and strength to stay steady. Keep it simple and honest—this is your most personal time with Allah.

Check Also Similar Post:

A) How-to Pray

B) Timing (Tahajjud Prayer)

C) Rulings / FAQs

D) Duas

Recommended For You: