03-07-2005, 05:38 AM
As-Salaamu-Alaikum
How is salatul-tahajjud performed? When is it performed? How many
raka'ats does it consist of? Ustadh Abdullah answers this question
from one of our members.
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Was-Salaam Khalil Muhsin
Question:
I have a problem on how to perform Salatul Tahajud. Could you please
explain to me how maby rakaas were recommended by the Prophet (SAW)
and the manner in which we should perfom ( if special ayahs of the
Holy Qur'an and/or special invocation of Allah's special names). May
bless you in every effort you take to answer our questions. Maa Salam
Ustadh Abdullah's response:
Salat al-Tahajjud is prayed after one wakes up from sleep between
the time after 'Isha and Subh (also called Fajr). The Prophet - may
Allah bless and grant him - when asked about how one should pray
Tahajjud, he said:
"Two (units) by two (units). Then when one of you fears (the
entrance of the) Subh (prayer), let him pray one (unit) that makes
what he prayed an odd number." (Sahih)
The Sunnah of the Prophet for Tahajjud as reported by his
wife, 'Aisha, in the soundest of reports is 11 rak'ats (units). That
is, he would pray 8 units. Then he'd pray 2 more refered to as
Shaf'. And then he'd pray 1 single rak'a known as Witr.
It has also been reported that his Sunnah was 13. And there are
other reports of other numbers.
As for what one shoud recite in these rak'ahs, one may recite
anything that comes easy for them of the Qur'an as Allah says,
((Recite what is easy from the Qur'an)) 73: 20.
As for the Shaf', it is an established Sunnah to recite Surat Al-
'Ala (87) in the first rak'a and Surat al-Kafirun (109) in the
second.
And in Witr, it is also Sunnah for one to recite the final three
Surahs (112, 113, and 114) termed by some as "The Three Quls."
Was Salam
Abdullah
Ustadh Abdullah bin Hamid Ali is the first American to attend and
graduate from the University of Al- Qarawiyeen's Faculty of Shariah
The focus of his study was the understanding of the science of fiqh,
Usool Al-Fiqh, and`Aqeedah. He has studied under some of the top
scholars of Islam including Dr Abdullah Ghaazeewee, Professor of
Usool Al-Fiqh, Sheikh Muhammad At-Ta'weel, Muftee, Scholar, and
Professor of Usool Al-Fiqh, Sheikh Muhammad Al-Ghaazee Husainee,
Grand Muftee of Morocco and Professor of Al-Fiqh Al-Muqaaran, Sheikh
Ahmad Zweetin, Professor of Fiqhul-Hadeeth and many others!
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