The Virtue and Sunnah Number of Rak‘ahs for Tahajjud Prayer

This article is excerpted from the book Salat al-Mustafa ﷺ by Abu Hamzah Abdul Khaliq Siddiqi.

❖ The Command for Tahajjud Prayer​

Apart from the five obligatory prayers, the Prophet ﷺ was specifically commanded to observe Salat al-Tahajjud. This prayer was made obligatory upon him to elevate his ranks, even though all his past and future sins had already been forgiven, as Allah the Exalted said:

﴿لِّيَغْفِرَ لَكَ اللّٰهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنبِكَ وَمَا تَأَخَّرَ﴾
(Al-Fath: 2)
"That Allah may forgive you your past and future sins."

❖ The Virtue of Tahajjud Prayer​

For the rest of the Muslims, Tahajjud is a recommended (Mustahabb) prayer with great reward. Allah says:

﴿وَمِنَ اللَّيْلِ فَتَهَجَّدْ بِهِ نَافِلَةً لَّكَ عَسَىٰ أَن يَبْعَثَكَ رَبُّكَ مَقَامًا مَّحْمُودًا﴾
(Al-Isra: 79)
"And during the night, wake up for prayer as a supererogatory act for you; it may be that your Lord will raise you to a praised station."

And:
﴿وَتَقَلُّبَكَ فِي السَّاجِدِينَ﴾
﴿إِنَّهُ هُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ﴾
(Ash-Shu‘ara: 219–220)
"And your movements among those who prostrate. Indeed, He is the Hearing, the Knowing."

❖ None Equals the Worshipper of the Night​

﴿أَمَّنْ هُوَ قَانِتٌ آنَاءَ اللَّيْلِ سَاجِدًا وَقَائِمًا...﴾
(Az-Zumar: 9)
"Is one who is devoutly obedient during the hours of the night, prostrating and standing [in prayer], fearing the Hereafter and hoping for the mercy of his Lord [like one who does not]? Say: Are those who know equal to those who do not know? Only those of understanding will remember."

❖ A Special Honor for the Believer​

Sayyiduna Jabir رضي الله عنه narrated:
"There is a moment in the night, which if a Muslim attains while asking Allah for any good of this world or the Hereafter, He surely grants it—and this occurs every night."
Saheeh Muslim, Book of Travelers’ Prayer, Hadith: 757

The Prophet ﷺ also said:
"Jibril came to me and said: O Muhammad, live as long as you wish, for you will die. Love whomever you wish, for you will be separated. Do what you wish, for you will be recompensed. And know that the honor of the believer lies in his night prayer, and his dignity lies in being independent of people."
Mustadrak al-Hakim: 4/324–325

❖ One of the Most Effective Paths to Paradise​

Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn Salam رضي الله عنه narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said:
"O people! Spread peace, feed others, uphold ties of kinship, and pray at night when people are asleep—you will enter Paradise in peace."
Sunan al-Tirmidhi: 2485 – Sunan Ibn Majah: 3251

❖ A Reminder of Death​

"One day, O believers, you will surely die.
So continue offering your prayers—this is the saying of the Messenger ﷺ."

❖ Health and Spiritual Benefits​

Imam Ibn Qayyim رحمه الله said:
"Tahajjud prayer is among the most beneficial causes for maintaining health, preventing chronic illness, and energizing the body, soul, and heart."
Zad al-Ma‘ad: 4/248

❖ Number of Rak‘ahs in Tahajjud​

The Prophet ﷺ offered different numbers of rak‘ahs on various occasions:

➊ Thirteen Rak‘ahs
Saheeh Muslim, Book of Travelers’ Prayer, Hadith: 1723

➋ Eleven Rak‘ahs
Saheeh Bukhari: 2013 – Saheeh Muslim: 1723

➌ Nine Rak‘ahs
Saheeh Bukhari, Book of Tahajjud, Hadith: 1139

➍ Seven Rak‘ahs
Saheeh Bukhari, Book of Tahajjud, Hadith: 1139

❖ Key Rulings and Etiquette​

① Night prayer is to be performed two rak‘ahs at a time.
Saheeh Bukhari: 1137 – Saheeh Muslim: 1748

② It is preferred to recite long portions of the Qur’an in the night prayer.
Saheeh Muslim: 1768