Reciting Surah Al-Ikhlas in Tahajjud Prayer

Written by: Sheikh Mubashar Ahmad Rabbani (Hafizahullah)

Question:​

Can the twelve Rak‘ahs of Tahajjud be performed in the following manner:

• In the first two Rak‘ahs, recite Surah Al-Ikhlas twelve times in the first Rak‘ah and eleven times in the second.
• In the next two Rak‘ahs, recite ten times in the first and nine times in the second.
• Continue reducing the number of recitations as the number of Rak‘ahs decreases.

Please clarify this practice in light of the Qur’an and Hadith.

Answer:​

In Salah, after reciting Surah Al-Fatiha, a person is permitted to recite any portion of the Qur’an according to their ability. The Prophet (ﷺ) instructed a man about prayer, saying:
"When you stand for prayer, face the Qiblah, recite Surah Al-Fatiha, and then recite whatever you wish."
[Ibn Hibban]

However, there is no authentic Hadith that specifies the practice of repeatedly reciting Surah Al-Ikhlas in the mentioned manner during Tahajjud. This method appears to be a personal innovation rather than a Sunnah practice.

Conclusion​

While reciting any portion of the Qur’an after Surah Al-Fatiha is permissible, there is no evidence from the Prophet (ﷺ) or the Sahabah (رضي الله عنهم) supporting the practice of specific repetition of Surah Al-Ikhlas in Tahajjud as described in the question. Therefore, such a method should be avoided, and one should follow the general Sunnah of reciting different parts of the Qur’an in Salah.