Tahajjud is not reserved for the spiritually elite. It is a private invitation from Allah to every believer, especially those who feel distant, overwhelmed, or unsure where to begin. The night prayer was not prescribed as an obligation, but Allah praised those who stand in the quiet hours when the world sleeps. If you have never prayed Tahajjud before, Islam does not expect intensity or perfection. It expects sincerity, gentleness, and consistency.
How to Start Tahajjud When You’ve Never Done It Before?
1. Understand What Tahajjud Is
Tahajjud is a voluntary night prayer prayed after ʿIshāʾ and after sleeping, even if the sleep is short. It can be prayed at any point in the night, but the last third of the night is the most virtuous.
Allah says:
وَمِنَ ٱلَّيْلِ فَتَهَجَّدْ بِهِۦ نَافِلَةًۭ لَّكَ عَسَىٰٓ أَن يَبْعَثَكَ رَبُّكَ مَقَامًۭا مَّحْمُودًۭا
“And from the night, pray with it as extra worship for you; it may be that your Lord will raise you to a praised station.”
[Qur’an 17:79]
2. Release the Idea That Tahajjud Must Be Long
Many people never start because they believe Tahajjud requires long recitation or many rakʿahs. This is not true. Tahajjud can be two rakʿahs only.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
أَفْضَلُ الصَّلَاةِ بَعْدَ الْفَرِيضَةِ صَلَاةُ اللَّيْلِ
“The best prayer after the obligatory prayer is the night prayer.”
[Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 1163]
Excellence does not mean length. It means presence.
3. Start by Waking Up Earlier Than Fajr
If waking in the middle of the night feels impossible, begin by waking 10–15 minutes before Fajr. Pray two rakʿahs with calmness, then pray Fajr. This still counts as night prayer if it is before Fajr.
Islam encourages gradual growth, not shock to the body or soul.
4. Sleep With the Intention of Waking for Tahajjud
Even if you do not wake up, the intention matters. Sleeping with the sincere intention to pray night prayer is rewarded.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
مَنْ أَتَى فِرَاشَهُ وَهُوَ يَنْوِي أَنْ يَقُومَ يُصَلِّي مِنَ اللَّيْلِ فَغَلَبَتْهُ عَيْنَاهُ حَتَّى أَصْبَحَ كُتِبَ لَهُ مَا نَوَى وَكَانَ نَوْمُهُ صَدَقَةً عَلَيْهِ مِنْ رَبِّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ
“Whoever goes to his bed intending to get up and pray qiyam at night, then sleep overwhelms him until morning, will have recorded that which he intended and his sleep is a charity given to him by his Lord, the Mighty and Sublime.”
[Sunan al-Nasāʾī 1787 | Ṣaḥīḥ]
5. Keep the Prayer Simple at First
Pray two rakʿahs. Recite short sūrahs if that is all you can manage. Do not rush. Do not burden yourself.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
أَحَبُّ الْأَعْمَالِ إِلَى اللَّهِ أَدْوَمُهَا وَإِنْ قَلَّ
“The most beloved deeds to Allah are those done consistently, even if small.”
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 6464 | Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 783]
6. Make Duʿāʾ in Your Own Words After Prayer
After Tahajjud, speak to Allah honestly. This is a time when duʿāʾ is especially accepted.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
يَنْزِلُ رَبُّنَا تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَىٰ كُلَّ لَيْلَةٍ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ الدُّنْيَا حِينَ يَبْقَىٰ ثُلُثُ اللَّيْلِ الْآخِرُ
فَيَقُولُ: مَنْ يَدْعُونِي فَأَسْتَجِيبَ لَهُ، مَنْ يَسْأَلُنِي فَأُعْطِيَهُ، مَنْ يَسْتَغْفِرُنِي فَأَغْفِرَ لَهُ
“Our Lord descends every night to the lowest heaven when the last third of the night remains and says: Who is calling upon Me so I may respond to him? Who is asking Me so I may give him? Who is seeking My forgiveness so I may forgive him?”
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 1145 | Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 758]
7. Expect Difficulty at First
Your body and routine are not used to this yet. Struggle does not mean rejection. It means training. Shayṭān dislikes night prayer because it strengthens sincerity.
8. Do Not Turn Tahajjud Into a Measure of Worth
Missing a night does not mean failure. Tahajjud is a gift, not a test. Allah does not close the door because of inconsistency. He loves return.
9. Protect Tahajjud From Showing Off
Do not announce it. Do not measure yourself against others. Tahajjud is meant to remain between you and Allah.
The night prayer purifies intention because no one sees it but Him.
Tahajjud does not begin with long standing or tears.
It begins with showing up, even briefly.
Two rakʿahs prayed quietly, with sincerity, can change a heart more than hours of guilt.
Allah did not invite you to the night to burden you.
He invited you because He wants closeness.
Start small. Stay gentle. Keep returning.
