How Many Rakat Tahajjud Prayer? The Explanation You're Looking For

How Many Rakat Tahajjud Prayer? ~ Whatever your reasons and goals for reading this article, we’ll try not to disappoint you. We’ll clarify many point about Rakats in Tahajjud prayer. We are very sure that the explanation of Rakat in Tahajjud prayer is the important thing that you’re looking now.

Rakats in Tahajjud prayer are an main part of the Tahajjud prayer. Why? The easiest answer is because Rakats are an main part of prayer in Islam. Rakat is among the parts of the prayer that defines standing, bowing (Rukuk), and prostration (Sujud).

Please note! “How Many Rakat Tahajjud Prayer?” is one of the integral features of Rakats in the Tahajjud prayer which we will describe in this article. Of course, we will not only discuss that. There are many thing about Rakats in the Tahajjud prayer which we will explain currently. So, we really hope that you read this article to the end so that you get a good understanding of the Rakats of the Tahajjud prayer after reading this article.”

The Meaning of Rakats in Tahajjud Prayer

Before we explain more about “How Many Rakat Tahajjud Prayer?”, firstly, we will explain the meaning of Rakats in Tahajjud prayer. Absolutely, you have to understand that first so you can understand everything about Rakats in the Tahajjud prayer which we’ll discuss in this article.

Before we discuss the meaning of Rakats in Tahajjud prayer, we very recommend that you understand the literal meaning of Rakats. That will help you to understand the meaning of Rakats in Tahajjud prayer which we are discussing today.

In easy terms, you can find an description of the meaning of Rakats in the sentences listed below:

رَكَعَاتُ الصَلَاةِ هِيَ : أَقْوَالٌ وَأَفْعَالٌ مَخْصُوْصَةٌ فِيْ الصَلَاةِ ، تَتَكَوَّنُ مِنْهَا ، وَكَيْفِيَتُهَا مُحَدَّدَةٌ بِاتِّبَاعِ الشَّرْعِ

Rakats of prayer are certain sayings and movements in prayer that are a component of prayer, and the manner of performing them is determined by following the Sharia.

If you understand the meaning of Rakats as we have quoted above, you can conclude that Rakats are the elements of prayer that consist of special sayings and movements in prayer. These sayings and movements are fixed in Islam. So, not all utterances may be uttered in prayer, equally as not all movements may be performed in prayer.

Currently, particularly, we will say that the Rakats in Tahajjud prayer are certain utterances and movements in the Tahajjud prayer.

Why is Rakat in Tahajjud Prayer Important?

Maybe now you’re wondering, “Why is Rakat in Tahajjud prayer important?”.

In the previous paragraphs, we have described that Rakats in Tahajjud prayer are certain utterances and movements in the Tahajjud prayer. So, Rakat is one of the significant components in the Tahajjud prayer

So, the answer to the question “why is Rakat in Tahajjud prayer important?” is because Rakats are among the necessary parts in the Tahajjud prayer. Without Rakats, our Tahajjud prayer are invalid.

Questions and Answers About the Number of Rakats in Tahajjud Prayer

The next essential aspect about “How Many Rakat Tahajjud Prayer?” that we’ll discuss currently are the questions and answers about the number of Rakats in Tahajjud prayer. We want you to understand every one of that because those are all common features of Rakats in Tahajjud prayer that Muslims must understand.

There are many main points about the number of Rakats in Tahajjud prayer which are asked by Muslims in various countries, such as in Pakistan, India, Philippines, United Arab Emirates, Nigeria, Mauritius, United Kingdom, South Africa, Maldives, US, and so on. That is one of the factors we created this article.

Listed below are some necessary questions about Rakats in Tahajjud prayer. We’ll discuss everything briefly. We’ll also quote related hadiths (if there are any hadiths that describe them all).

How Many Rakats in Tahajjud Prayer?

If you ask us, “How many Rakats in Tahajjud prayer?”, the answer is, “There is no maximum limit for Rakats in Tahajjud prayer.” The reason is because Prophet Muhammad performed Tahajjud prayer with some number of Rakats. We can find this explanation in the following hadiths:

عَنْ مَسْرُوقٍ ، قَالَ : سَأَلْتُ عَائِشَةَ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهَا عَنْ صَلاَةِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ بِاللَّيْلِ‏ .‏ فَقَالَتْ : سَبْعٌ وَتِسْعٌ وَإِحْدَى عَشْرَةَ سِوَى رَكْعَتَىِ الْفَجْرِ‏‏

It was narrated from Masruq, he said, “I have asked Aisha radiyallahu anha about the prayer of Rasulullah (Prophet Muhammad) sallallahu alayhi wa sallam at night. She then said, “7 (Rakats), or nine (Rakats), or eleven (Rakats) apart from two Rakats in Fajr prayer.”

The hadith above explains that sometimes Prophet Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wa sallam prayed at evening up to seven Rakats, nine Rakats, or eleven Rakats. These Rakats are along with the two Rakats in Fajr prayer. So, we can presume that he performed 6 Rakats or 8 Rakats, or ten Rakats in Tahajjud prayer.

What is the Minimum Rakats for Tahajjud Prayer?

If you ask us, “what is the minimum Rakats for Tahajjud prayer?”, the answer is 2 Rakats. We can find this description in the hadith listed below:

قَالَ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ عُمَرَ رَضِىَ اللهُ عَنْهُمَا : إِنَّ رَجُلاً قَالَ : يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ، كَيْفَ صَلاَةُ اللَّيْلِ ؟ قَالَ :‏ مَثْنَى مَثْنَى، فَإِذَا خِفْتَ الصُّبْحَ فَأَوْتِرْ بِوَاحِدَةٍ ‏‏‏

Abdullah bin Umar radliyallahu anhuma said, “Someone asked Rasulullah (Prophet Muhammad), “How to do the night prayer?” He said, “two Rakats, two Rakats. If you are worried that you will not be able to perform the Fajr prayer (because of that), then do the Witr prayer with one Rakat.”

The above hadith explains that Tahajjud prayer is performed per 2 Rakats. We can also conclude that the minimum rakat in Tahajjud prayer is 2 Rakats.

How much Maximum Rakats for Tahajjud Prayer?

If you ask us, “what is the maximum Rakats for Tahajjud prayer?”, the answer is “There is no maximum limit for Rakats in Tahajjud prayer because there is no hadith that particularly describes the maximum limit for Rakats in Tahajjud prayer.” So, we can do any number of Rakats for the Tahajjud prayer.

But one vital feature that we want to say here is that we must not force ourselves to perform the Tahajjud prayer with many Rakats which can burden us. As normal human beings, we have numerous obligations that we must perform in the early morning. So, the Tahajjud prayer that we do should not be a factor for us refraining our obligations. Remember! Tahajjud prayer is sunnah. If we do that, we will be awarded. But if we don’t do that, we are innocent.

How Many Rakats Did the Prophet Pray for Tahajjud?

This is among the points that’s often asked by many Muslims: how many Rakats did the prophet pray for tahajjud? Before we clarify the response to this question, we’ll quote several hadiths that particularly clarify the Rakats did the prophet pray for tahajjud.

Some of the hadiths that especially discuss the Rakats did the prophet pray for tahajjud which we mean are as follows:

عَنْ عَائِشَةَ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهَا , قَالَتْ : كَانَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يُصَلِّي مِنَ اللَّيْلِ ثَلاَثَ عَشْرَةَ رَكْعَةً مِنْهَا الْوِتْرُ وَرَكْعَتَا الْفَجْرِ‏‏

It was narrated from Aisha radiyallahu anha, she said, “The Prophet (Muhammad) sallallahu alayhi wa sallam prayed at night as many as thirteen Rakats of which were Witr prayer and 2 Rakats in Fajr prayer.”

The above hadith explains that Prophet Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wa sallam prayed at evening up to thirteen Rakats which were one Rakat for the Witr prayer and two Rakats for Fajr prayer. So, we can assume that he performed 10 Rakats in Tahajjud prayer.

عَنْ مَسْرُوقٍ ، قَالَ : سَأَلْتُ عَائِشَةَ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهَا عَنْ صَلاَةِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ بِاللَّيْلِ‏ .‏ فَقَالَتْ : سَبْعٌ وَتِسْعٌ وَإِحْدَى عَشْرَةَ سِوَى رَكْعَتَىِ الْفَجْرِ‏‏

It was narrated from Masruq, he said, “I have asked Aisha radiyallahu anha about the prayer of Rasulullah (Prophet Muhammad) sallallahu alayhi wa sallam at night. She then said, “7 (Rakats), or 9 (Rakats), or 11 (Rakats) apart from 2 Rakats in Fajr prayer.”

The hadith over explains that sometimes Prophet Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wa sallam prayed at evening up to 7 Rakats, 9 Rakats, or 11 Rakats. These Rakats are along with the two Rakats in Fajr prayer. So, we can think that he performed six Rakats or 8 Rakats, or 10 Rakats in Tahajjud prayer.

Is Tahajjud 2 Rakats?

This is one of the basic questions about Rakats in the Tahajjud prayer: is Tahajjud 2 Rakats?

Once again, I would like to say that there is no maximum limit for Rakats in Tahajjud prayer. The meaning is that the Tahajjud prayer may be performed with any even variety of Rakats (2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, and more). 2 Rakats are the minimum variety of Rakats for Tahajjud prayer.

You can find this description in the hadith listed below:

قَالَ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ عُمَرَ رَضِىَ اللهُ عَنْهُمَا : إِنَّ رَجُلاً قَالَ : يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ، كَيْفَ صَلاَةُ اللَّيْلِ ؟ قَالَ :‏ مَثْنَى مَثْنَى، فَإِذَا خِفْتَ الصُّبْحَ فَأَوْتِرْ بِوَاحِدَةٍ ‏‏‏

Abdullah bin Umar radliyallahu anhuma said, “Someone asked Rasulullah (Prophet Muhammad), “How to do the night prayer?” He said, “two Rakats, 2 Rakats. If you are worried that you will not be able to perform the Fajr prayer (because of that), then do the Witr prayer with one Rakat.”

Can I pray 6 Rakats of Tahajjud?

In the previous few paragraphs, I have described that the Tahajjud prayer can be carried out in 4 Rakats. So, if you ask us, “Can I pray 6 Rakats of Tahajjud?”, the answer is “Absolutely. You can pray 6 Rakats of Tahajjud.” Don’t be confused about that.

How Many Rakats Are Best for Tahajjud?

This is among the popular questions of the Rakats in Tahajjud prayer. Many Muslims inquire about this: how many rakats are best for Tahajjud?

Before we discuss the answer this question, we will quote number of hadiths that especially describe the variety of Rakats that best for Tahajjud. Some of the hadiths we imply are as follows:

عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ : دَخَلَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فَإِذَا حَبْلٌ مَمْدُودٌ بَيْنَ السَّارِيَتَيْنِ فَقَالَ :‏ مَا هَذَا الْحَبْلُ ؟‏ قَالُوا هَذَا حَبْلٌ لِزَيْنَبَ فَإِذَا فَتَرَتْ تَعَلَّقَتْ‏.‏ فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ ‏:‏ لاَ ، حُلُّوهُ ، لِيُصَلِّ أَحَدُكُمْ نَشَاطَهُ ، فَإِذَا فَتَرَ فَلْيَقْعُدْ ‏‏

It was narrated from Anas bin Malik radliyallahu anhu, he said, “Once the Prophet (Muhammad) sallallahu alaihi wa sallam entered the Mosque and saw a rope hanging in between its two pillars. He said, “What is this rope?” The people said, “This rope is for Zainab who, when she feels tired, holds it (to keep standing for the prayer.)” The Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam said, “Don’t use it. Remove the rope. You should pray as long as you feel active, and when you get tired, sit down.”

عَنْ عَائِشَةَ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهَا قَالَتْ : كَانَتْ عِنْدِي امْرَأَةٌ مِنْ بَنِي أَسَدٍ فَدَخَلَ عَلَىَّ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فَقَالَ ‏:‏ مَنْ هَذِهِ ؟‏ قُلْتُ فُلاَنَةُ لاَ تَنَامُ بِاللَّيْلِ‏.‏ فَذُكِرَ مِنْ صَلاَتِهَا. فَقَالَ : مَهْ عَلَيْكُمْ مَا تُطِيقُونَ مِنَ الأَعْمَالِ ، فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ لاَ يَمَلُّ حَتَّى تَمَلُّوا ‏‏

It was narrated from Aisha radliyallahu anha, she said, “A woman from the tribe of Bani Asad was sitting with me and Rasulullah (Prophet Muhammad) sallallahu alaihi wa sallam came to my house and said, “Who is this?” I said, “(She is) So and so. She does not sleep at night because she is engaged in prayer.” The Prophet said disapprovingly: Do (good) deeds which is within your capacity as Allah never gets tired of giving rewards till you get tired of doing good deeds.”

عَنْ أَبِي الْعَبَّاسِ ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ عَمْرٍو رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُمَا ـ قَالَ لِيْ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ :‏ أَلَمْ أُخْبَرْ أَنَّكَ تَقُومُ اللَّيْلَ وَتَصُومُ النَّهَارَ ‏؟ قُلْتُ : إِنِّي أَفْعَلُ ذَلِكَ‏.‏ قَالَ : فَإِنَّكَ إِذَا فَعَلْتَ ذَلِكَ هَجَمَتْ عَيْنُكَ وَنَفِهَتْ نَفْسُكَ ، وَإِنَّ لِنَفْسِكَ حَقٌّ ، وَلأَهْلِكَ حَقٌّ ، فَصُمْ وَأَفْطِرْ ، وَقُمْ وَنَمْ ‏‏

It was narrated from Abu al-Abbas, he said, “I’ve heard Abdullah bin Amr bin al-Ash radiyallahu anhuma say, “Once Rasulullah (Prophet Muhammad) sallallahu alaihi wa sallam said to me, “I have been informed that you offer Salat (prayer) all the night and observe Saum (fast) during the day.” I said, “(Yes) I do so.” He said, “If you do so, your eye sight will become weak and you will become weak. No doubt, your body has right on you, and your family has right on you, so observe Saum (for some days) and do not observe it (for some days), offer Salat (for sometime) and then sleep.”

عَنْ ابْنِ عُمَر رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُمَا : أَنَّ رَجُلاً جَاءَ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ وَهُوَ يَخْطُبُ ، فَقَالَ : كَيْفَ صَلَاةُ اللَّيْلِ ؟ فَقَالَ : مَثْنَى مَثْنَى، فَإِذَا خَشِيتَ الصُّبْحَ فَأَوْتِرْ بِوَاحِدَةٍ ، تُوتِرُ لَكَ مَا قَدْ صَلَّيْتَ

It was narrated from Ibn Umar radliyallahu anhuma, “A man came to the Prophet (Muhammad) sallallahu alaihi wa sallam while he was delivering the sermon and asked him how to offer the night prayers. The Prophet replied, “Pray two Rakats at a time and then two and then two and so on and if you are afraid of dawn (the approach of the time of the Fajr prayer) pray 1 Rakat and that will be the with for all the Rakats which you have prayed.”

If we understand some of the hadiths above, we can conclude that best Rakats for Tahajjud are Rakats that doesn’t burden us. We should not force ourselves to do a lot of Rakats in Tahajjud prayer even though we are not able to do everything.

How Many Rakats of Tahajjud Should I Pray?

In the previous couple of paragraphs, we have clarified about the best Rakats for the Tahajjud prayer. We have also said that an excellent Rakats for the Tahajjud prayer is one that doesn’t worry us.

So, if you ask us, “how many Rakats of tahajjud should i pray?”, the answer is “Rakats Tahajjud that do not burden you. Rakats Tahajjud which aren’t the cause for you not being able to do your obligations after the Tahajjud prayer.” So, just you know about it especially.

Tahajjud Total Rakats: Important Conclusions

Today we’ll make some conclusions about the Rakats of the Tahajjud prayer (we actually hope you understand it all):

• The minimum Rakats in the Tahajjud prayer is 2 Rakats.
• There is no maximum limit for Rakats in the Tahajjud prayer.
• Best Rakats of Tahajjud prayer are Rakats that we can do.

That is a quick explanation of “How Many Rakat Tahajjud Prayer?” and some important points about it. Hope it is useful. Amen.