Tahajjud time

When to pray it

Tahajjud is prayed after Isha and before Fajr, after some sleep. The best time is the last third of the night, which SalaahDaily shows: from the start of the last third of the time between Maghrib and Fajr, until Fajr. In the Jafari school, Salat al-Layl is prayed from midnight until Fajr.

How many rak‘ahs

At least 2 rak‘ahs, in pairs. The Prophet ﷺ usually prayed 11 rak‘ahs including Witr, sometimes 13. In the Jafari school, 11 rak‘ahs: 8, then 2 (shaf‘), then 1 (witr).

Quran and Hadith

• Quran 17:79 And in part of the night, pray Tahajjud as an extra prayer for you.
• Quran 73:1-4, 73:20 Stand in prayer at night, half of it or a little less or more, and recite the Quran slowly.
• Quran 51:17-18 They used to sleep little of the night, and before dawn they asked forgiveness.
• Sahih al-Bukhari 1145, Sahih Muslim 758 Our Lord descends to the lowest heaven when the last third of the night remains, and says: who will call on Me, that I may answer him?
• Sahih Muslim 1163 The best prayer after the obligatory prayers is the prayer at night.
• Sahih al-Bukhari 1147, Sahih Muslim 738 Aisha: he did not pray more than eleven rak‘ahs at night, in Ramadan or at other times.
• Sahih al-Bukhari 990, Sahih Muslim 749 The night prayer is two by two, and when you fear dawn, pray one rak‘ah of Witr.
• Man La Yahduruhu al-Faqih, chapter on the time of the night prayer The Prophet ﷺ prayed nothing after Isha until midnight; the night prayer is from midnight until dawn (Jafari).

• Ishraq time
• Chasht (Duha) time
• Rak‘ahs
• Quran & Hadith

Last updated: Tuesday, 6 October 2026