5 Best Rewards for Performing Tahajjud prayers

Allah (SWT) created this magnificent universe and left signs for His creatures to ponder and worship Him for His majesty and magnificence. The Almighty Lord created human beings as the most eminent form of creations, also called, Ashraf’ul’makhlooqaat.’ Whereas, among humankind, He calls the Muslims towards the path of light and wisdom. He, The Almighty, guides Muslims to be among those who inspire towards righteousness and abstain from what is wrong and prohibited.

« You are the best community that has been raised for humanity: You enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong, and you believe in Allah. »

[Al Qur’an 3:110]

What is Tahajjud?

To establish an Islamic society, its members must act upon Islam’s basic teachings and principles. Those are the faithful men and women—the ones who bow down in the worship of their Lord and obey His commandments. However, the believing men and women in their quest to spread goodness require strength, steadfastness, and continuous motivation. To achieve this goal, they need a source, a light, or a power from which they can seek guidance and strength.

That power lies in worship. And ‘Tahajjud’ is the most significant among all.

5 Best Rewards for Performing Tahajjud prayers

How do we define Tahajjud?

The Tahajjud prayers, also called Qiyam-al-Layl, fall under the ‘Nafl’ category of prayers. It means that this prayer is not obligatory, and not praying it will not mark as a sin. Muslims are commanded to offer Tahajjud prayers after Isha (the obligatory night Salah) and before the Fajr time (the obligatory morning Salah) begins.

The words of Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) also clarify the significance of Tahajjud as he said, « The best prayer one can perform apart from the obligatory prayers is one performed at night. »

Although establishing Salah is the most compulsory act for which Allah and His Prophet (peace be upon him) have advised on numerous occasions, this specific Nafl prayer has its rewards and virtues. Tahajjud prayers require Muslims to leave their comfy beds and stand active in front of the Lord of the Universe for worship. Hence, Allah (SWT) also loved those regular followers performing their Tahajjud prayers and sacrificing deep slumber to seek his pleasure.

« You should pray qiyaam al-layl, for it is the custom of the righteous who came before you, and it brings you closer to your Lord, expiates sins, and prevents misdeeds. » [Tirmidhi]

Imagine how much Allah (SWT) loves His creatures that when the night gets darker and the world goes to sleep, Allah (SWT), The Exalted, descends to the lowest paradise in the last third of the night. We are blessed that Our Lord remembers us every night, asking us to seek His mercy and forgiveness! Allah (SWT) sends a reminder to His followers and asks if anyone is there who wants to get their wishes fulfilled, their prayers answered, and their sins forgiven.

His beloved Messenger (PBUH) said: « The Lord descends every night to the lowest heaven when one-third of the night remains and says: ‘Who will call upon Me, that I may answer Him? Who will ask of Me, that I may give him? Who will seek My forgiveness, that I may forgive him?' » [Bukhari, Muslim]

Significance of Tahajjud prayers

The importance of Tahajjud’s prayers is proven in the Quran and Sunnah. However, Tahajjud offers much higher rewards if a person devotedly makes it a regular part of his life. It’s a source of guidance and accomplishment and clarifies how to align our lives according to the commandments of Allah. Furthermore, the act of praying Tahajjud becomes a source of energy to refresh our soul and conscience. We can establish a unique relationship with Allah by sacrificing our night’s sleep and comfort. Gradually, we can draw closer to our Lord and witness the powerful effects of this miraculous prayer.

Benefits of Tahajjud

Personal

Among the numerous benefits that Tahajjud offers on a spiritual level, it benefits our personal development and well-being. In today’s time, when our lives are constantly occupied with new challenges and difficult circumstances, it acts as a ray of hope to end our misery and strengthen our physical and mental capabilities.

No wonder there is no better way to relieve our troubles than to seek Allah’s closeness through worship and prayers.

Spiritual

Do you want to develop a strong bond with Allah (SWT)? Pray Tahajjud. That’s what His beloved and faithful servants did. Islamic history reveals the names of countless servants of Allah who spent their lives seeking Allah’s closeness and made Tahajjud an integral part of their lives.

“They arise from [their] beds; they supplicate their Lord in fear and aspiration, and from what We have provided them, they spend. And no soul knows what has been hidden for them of comfort for eyes as reward for what they used to do.” [Quran 32-16:17]

We extract infinite energy through late-night prostrations only to stand more robust and firmer in our actions and belief. We aim to inculcate the noble qualities that make us the devoted and most beloved servants of Allah (SWT).

Societal

Indeed our most merciful Lord directs us to perform obligatory and voluntary prayers for our benefit. He (SWT) wants His servants to achieve significant accomplishments as individuals and productive members of the society.

“Remember that the believer’s honor is his praying at night and his pride in his being independent of people.” [Sahih Al Jaami, 73]

Apart from our challenges, our society extensively experiences Islamophobia, discrimination, and racism. When we bow down in front of our Creator and seek His help, we begin to earn wisdom, strength, and patience to fight the evils of society.

A key to Paradise

“Verily, the Muttaqoon (the pious) will be in the midst of Gardens and Springs (in the Paradise). Taking joy in the things which their Lord has given them. Verily, they were before this Muhsinoon (good-doers). They used to sleep but little by night [invoking their Lord (Allah) and praying, with fear and hope]”. 

[Al-Dhaariyaat 51:15-17]

The most pious among the servants of Allah (SWT) are those who establish night prayers. The above Quranic verse mentions such people as ‘Muttaqoon.” So, who wouldn’t want to get the key to His majestic Paradise?

Source to accomplish lawful wishes

One must work hard to accomplish worldly desires and then ask Allah to simplify the tasks. He is the One who grants permission to complete even small tasks to more significant challenges. Thus, with a firm belief that Allah (SWT) answers our sincerest prayers, we have Tahajjud prayers as the best time to speak our hearts out. Indeed, He blesses us more than we can imagine.

“And the servants of the Most Merciful [Allah] are those who walk upon the earth easily, and when the ignorant address them [harshly], they say [words of] peace, and devote [part of] the night to their Lord prostrating and standing [in prayer].” [Quran 25:63-64]

Grants strength and forbearance during difficulties

“And from [part of] the night, pray with it as additional [worship] for you; it is expected that your Lord will resurrect you to a praised station.” [Quran, 17: 79]

Life is full of challenges, difficult phases, grief, and trials, and when such circumstances happen, our heart begins to lose hope. Apart from striving hard to make things better, the only thing that keeps us emotionally and spiritually strong in prayer.

When a faithful servant of Allah leaves his bed in the middle of the night and talks to his Lord, He listens. He understands his pain and grants him the inner peace and fulfillment to face those challenges. Our tears and sincerest prayers reach His courtyard as soon as we devote ourselves to His worship and prostration.

Offers control over your conscience (Nafs)

Humankind is the best of the creations of Allah (SWT), and He directs us in Quran and through His Prophet (PBUH) towards the path of righteousness and holiness. However, humans are quick to sin; we can become Satan’s evil plans and commit wrong deeds.

When we feel over-burdened with sins and impermissible deeds, Tahajjud acts us as a shield, an eternal guide to relieve our hearts and soul. It helps us strengthen our conscience (Nafs) and fear Allah (SWT) in good and bad times.

Allah’s Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “You should pray qiyaam al-layl, for it is the habit of the righteous people who came before you, and it will bring you closer to your Lord, expiate for bad deeds, prevent sin, and expel disease from the body.” [Al-Tirmidhi & Ahmad].

How did the Prophet (PBUH) pray Tahajjud?

The beloved Messenger of Allah, Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH), used to initiate Tahajjud prayers with these words:

“O, Allah! Lord of Gabriel, Michael, and Raphael, Creator of the heavens and earth, Knower of the seen and unseen, You will judge between Your servants in what they used to differ. Guide me by Your Grace to the truth in what they differ about. Indeed, You guide whomever You please to a path that is straight.”

“I turn my face to the Creator of the heavens and earth upon the pure faith, and I am not from among the polytheists. Indeed my prayer, my sacrifice, my life, and my death are for Allah, the Lord of all the worlds, Who is without a partner. This is as I was commanded, and I am of those who submit. O, Allah! You are the King. There is no God but You. You are my Lord, and I am Your servant. I have been unjust to myself, and I confess my sins, so forgive me all of my sins, for indeed no one forgives sins but You. Guide me to the best conduct. No one guides to what is best except You. Keep me away from bad conduct, for no one can do this for me except You. Here I am. I heed Your Call, happy to serve You. All good is in Your Hands, and no evil belongs to You. I exist by Your Will and shall return to You. You are Blessed and Sublime. I seek Your Forgiveness and repent unto You.”

Food for thought

The benefits of offering Tahajjud are immense, and it’s a source of eternal guidance and forgiveness for Muslims. However, let’s take a moment and reassess ourselves. Do we avail this opportunity to seek Allah’s closeness and mercy by offering Tahajjud prayer regularly? How dutiful are we in fulfilling our obligatory and voluntary acts of worship?

Now is the time to prioritize our actions and strive our best to please Allah (SWT). Indeed, His doors of mercy and blessings are always open for his servants.