Source: Fatāwā Amunpuri by Shaykh Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Amunpuri
What should a person do if they are unable to wake up for Tahajjud?
If someone misses Tahajjud for a genuine reason (such as sleep or illness), they should make it up by praying twelve rakʿāt before Ẓuhr. The full reward of Tahajjud will still be granted to them.
❀ Sayyidah ʿĀʾishah رضي الله عنها narrates:
"Whenever the Messenger of Allah ﷺ began any action, he would remain consistent in it. If he missed the night prayer due to sleep or illness, he would pray twelve rakʿāt during the day."
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 746
❀ Sayyidunā ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb رضي الله عنه reports that the Prophet ﷺ said:
**"Whoever misses his regular portion (ḥizb) of Qiyām al-Layl—or part of it—due to sleep, and then recites it between Fajr and Ẓuhr, it will be recorded for him as though he performed it at night."**
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 747
❖ Question:
What should a person do if they are unable to wake up for Tahajjud?
✿ Answer:
If someone misses Tahajjud for a genuine reason (such as sleep or illness), they should make it up by praying twelve rakʿāt before Ẓuhr. The full reward of Tahajjud will still be granted to them.
✿ Authentic Reports:
❀ Sayyidah ʿĀʾishah رضي الله عنها narrates:
"Whenever the Messenger of Allah ﷺ began any action, he would remain consistent in it. If he missed the night prayer due to sleep or illness, he would pray twelve rakʿāt during the day."
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 746❀ Sayyidunā ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb رضي الله عنه reports that the Prophet ﷺ said:
**"Whoever misses his regular portion (ḥizb) of Qiyām al-Layl—or part of it—due to sleep, and then recites it between Fajr and Ẓuhr, it will be recorded for him as though he performed it at night."**
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 747
Conclusion:
- Tahajjud missed due to an excuse (like sleep or illness) may be made up during the day—preferably before Ẓuhr.
- This ensures the reward is preserved and the habit of consistency in worship remains intact.
