How Many Rakats Did the Prophet Pray for Tahajjud? Tahajjud Prayer Insights

How Many Rakats Did the Prophet Pray for Tahajjud? ~ Whatever your reasons and goals for reading this article, we will do our best not to disappoint you. We will describe many features of the Rakats in the Tahajjud prayer. We are confident that the description of Rakats in the Tahajjud prayer is the main aspect you are looking for right now.

Rakats in the Tahajjud prayer are a vital part of this prayer. Why? The simplest answer is that Rakats are an essential part of prayer in Islam. A Rakat consists of the actions of standing, bowing (Rukuk), and prostration (Sujud).

The Meaning of Rakats in Tahajjud Prayer

Before we discuss "How Many Rakats Did the Prophet Pray for Tahajjud?", let’s first examine the meaning of Rakats in the Tahajjud prayer. Understanding this is crucial for grasping everything about Rakats in the Tahajjud prayer that we will describe in this article.

To fully appreciate the meaning of Rakats in the Tahajjud prayer, it’s essential to understand the literal meaning of Rakats. This understanding will aid you in comprehending the significance of Rakats in the Tahajjud prayer we are discussing now.

In simple terms, here is an explanation of the meaning of Rakats:

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

The Rakats of prayer are specific sayings and movements that are components of prayer, and their manner of performance is determined by following the Sharia.

If you understand the meaning of Rakats as described above, you can conclude that Rakats are the parts of prayer consisting of unique sayings and movements established in Islam. Thus, not all utterances can be spoken in prayer, just as not all movements can be performed in prayer.

Today, we specifically emphasize that the Rakats in the Tahajjud prayer consist of certain utterances and movements.

Why is Rakat in Tahajjud Prayer Important?

You may be wondering, "Why is Rakat in the Tahajjud prayer important?"

In the previous paragraphs, we discussed that Rakats in the Tahajjud prayer consist of specific utterances and movements. Therefore, Rakats are essential components of the Tahajjud prayer.

Read Also: How to Make Niyyat for Tahajjud Prayer

Thus, the answer to the question "Why is Rakat in the Tahajjud prayer important?" is that Rakats are one of the significant elements in the Tahajjud prayer. Without Rakats, our Tahajjud prayer is invalid.

Questions and Answers About the Number of Rakats in Tahajjud Prayer

The next significant aspect of "How Many Rakats Did the Prophet Pray for Tahajjud?" that we will discuss currently involves the questions and answers about the number of Rakats in the Tahajjud prayer. We want you to understand all of this because these are common concerns about Rakats in the Tahajjud prayer that Muslims must be aware of.

There are many essential points about the number of Rakats in the Tahajjud prayer that are frequently asked by Muslims in various countries, such as Pakistan, India, the Philippines, the United Arab Emirates, Nigeria, Mauritius, the United Kingdom, South Africa, the Maldives, the US, and so on. This is one of the reasons we wrote this article.

Below are some main questions about Rakats in the Tahajjud prayer. We'll explain them all briefly. We will also quote related hadiths (if there are any hadiths that explain them).

How Many Rakats in Tahajjud Prayer?

If you ask us, "How many Rakats are there in the Tahajjud prayer?", the answer is, "There is no maximum limit for Rakats in the Tahajjud prayer." The reason is that Prophet Muhammad performed the Tahajjud prayer with many 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, who said, "I asked Aisha radiyallahu anha about the prayer of Rasulullah (Prophet Muhammad) sallallahu alayhi wa sallam at night. She then said, 'Seven (Rakats), or nine (Rakats), or eleven (Rakats) apart from the two Rakats in Fajr prayer.'"

This hadith explains that sometimes Prophet Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wa sallam prayed at night up to seven Rakats, nine Rakats, or eleven Rakats. These Rakats are in addition to the two Rakats in Fajr prayer. Therefore, we can infer that he performed six Rakats, eight 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 the Tahajjud prayer?", the answer is two 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 do you perform the night prayer?' He said, 'Two Rakats, two Rakats. If you are concerned 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 the Tahajjud prayer is performed in sets of two Rakats. We can also conclude that the minimum Rakats in the Tahajjud prayer is two Rakats.

What is the 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 the Tahajjud prayer because there is no hadith that specifically states a maximum limit for Rakats in the Tahajjud prayer." Therefore, we can perform any number of Rakats for the Tahajjud prayer.

However, one essential point we want to emphasize is that we must not force ourselves to perform the Tahajjud prayer with many Rakats to the point of burdening ourselves. As normal individuals, we have several obligations to fulfill in the early morning. Thus, the Tahajjud prayer should not hinder us from fulfilling our responsibilities. Note! The Tahajjud prayer is sunnah. If we do it, we will be rewarded, but if we do not, we are not held accountable.

How Many Rakats Did the Prophet Pray for Tahajjud?

This is one of the frequently asked questions by many Muslims: how many Rakats did the Prophet pray for Tahajjud? Before we provide the answer to this question, we will quote several hadiths that specifically clarify the number of Rakats the Prophet prayed for Tahajjud.

Some of the hadiths that particularly clarify the Rakats the Prophet prayed for Tahajjud 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, who said, "The Prophet (Muhammad) sallallahu alayhi wa sallam prayed at night a total of thirteen Rakats, which included the Witr prayer and two Rakats in Fajr prayer."

The above hadith explains that Prophet Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wa sallam prayed up to thirteen Rakats at night, which consisted of one Rakats for the Witr prayer and two Rakats for Fajr prayer. Therefore, we can conclude that he performed ten 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, who said, "I asked Aisha radiyallahu anha about the prayer of Rasulullah (Prophet Muhammad) sallallahu alayhi wa sallam at night. She then said, 'Seven (Rakats), or nine (Rakats), or eleven (Rakats) apart from the two Rakats in Fajr prayer.'"

This hadith explains that sometimes Prophet Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wa sallam prayed at night up to seven Rakats, nine Rakats, or eleven Rakats. These Rakats are in addition to the two Rakats in Fajr prayer. Therefore, we can presume that he performed six Rakats, eight Rakats, or ten 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 emphasize that there is no maximum limit for Rakats in the Tahajjud prayer. This means that the Tahajjud prayer can be performed with any even number of Rakats (2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, and so forth). Two Rakats are the minimum number of Rakats for the 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 do you perform the night prayer?' He said, 'Two Rakats, two Rakats. If you are concerned 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 4 Rakats of Tahajjud?

In the previous paragraphs, I discussed that the Tahajjud prayer can be performed with 4 Rakats. So, if you ask us, "Can I pray 4 Rakats of Tahajjud?" the answer is, "Absolutely! You can pray 4 Rakats of Tahajjud." Don't be confused about that.

How Many Rakats Are Best for Tahajjud?

This is one of the most common questions regarding the Rakats in the Tahajjud prayer. Many Muslims ask: How many Rakats are best for Tahajjud?

Before we address this question, let's quote a couple of hadiths that specifically discuss the variety of Rakats that are best for Tahajjud. Some of the hadiths we mention 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 that he said, "Once the Prophet (Muhammad) sallallahu alaihi wa sallam entered the Mosque and saw a rope hanging between its two pillars. He asked, 'What is this rope?' The people said, 'This rope is for Zainab, who holds it when she feels tired 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 that she said, "A woman from the tribe of Bani Asad was sitting with me when Rasulullah (Prophet Muhammad) sallallahu alaihi wa sallam came to my house and asked, 'Who is this?' I replied, '(She is) So and so. She does not sleep at night because she is engaged in prayer.' The Prophet said disapprovingly, 'Do (good) deeds that are within your capacity, as Allah never gets tired of giving rewards until 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 that he heard Abdullah bin Amr bin al-Ash radliyallahu anhuma say, "Once Rasulullah (Prophet Muhammad) sallallahu alaihi wa sallam said to me, 'I have been informed that you offer Salat (prayer) all night and observe Saum (fast) during the day.' I replied, '(Yes) I do so.' He said, 'If you do so, your eyesight will become weak, and you will become weak. No doubt, your body has a right on you, and your family has a right on you, so observe Saum (for some days) and do not observe it (for some days), offer Salat (for some time), 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 that 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 2 Rakats at a time, and then 2, and then 2, and so on. If you are afraid of dawn (the approach of the time of the Fajr prayer), pray 1 Rakat, and that will count as the Witr for all the Rakats you have prayed."

From the hadiths above, we can conclude that the best Rakats for Tahajjud are those that do not burden us. We should not force ourselves to perform an excessive number of Rakats in the Tahajjud prayer if we are unable to do so.

How Many Rakats of Tahajjud Should I Pray?

In the previous paragraphs, we discussed the best Rakats for the Tahajjud prayer. We also mentioned that an ideal number of Rakats for the Tahajjud prayer is one that does not cause us any difficulty.

So, if you ask us, "How many Rakats of Tahajjud should I pray?" the answer is: "Pray the Rakats of Tahajjud that do not burden you. Choose Rakats of Tahajjud that do not interfere with your commitments after the Tahajjud prayer." Ultimately, only you know your own capacity in this regard.

Tahajjud Total Rakats: Important Conclusions

Today, we will summarize our conclusions about the Rakats of the Tahajjud prayer (we truly hope you understand all of it):

• The minimum Rakats in the Tahajjud prayer is 2 Rakats.
• There is no maximum limit for Rakats in the Tahajjud prayer.
• The best Rakats for the Tahajjud prayer are those that we can perform comfortably.

This is a brief description of "How Many Rakats Did the Prophet Pray for Tahajjud?" along with some essential aspects of it. We hope you find it useful. Ameen.