(Series on Nafl Salaahs #2 – Tahajjud Salaah)

When a person is in love, then his greatest yearning and desire is to meet and spend time in the company of his beloved. If he has arranged to meet his beloved at a certain time, then he will excitedly await the moment when he will be united with his love, and with every passing moment, he will find his eagerness increasing.

For a believer, whose goal is the true love of Allah Ta‘ala, one of the special moments when he will connect with his beloved Rabb are the moments of tahajjud. Hence, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) mentioned in the blessed hadeeth that the time when Allah Ta‘ala is closest to his slaves, and directs His special mercy and blessings towards them, is during the last third of the night before subah saadiq. (Saheeh Bukhaari #1145 & Sunan Tirmizi #3579) Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) further mentioned, “If you are able to be from among those who engage in the remembrance of Allah Ta‘ala at this time, then do so.” (Sunan Tirmizi #3579)

At different places in the Quraan Majeed, Allah Ta‘ala describes the qualities of the believers who have true and perfect imaan. In Surah Sajdah, Allah Ta‘ala describes them saying, “(They are) those whose sides remain apart from their beds (i.e. they spend a portion of the night awake, engaged in Tahajjud Salaah). They call to their Rabb (in du‘aa), out of fear (of His displeasure and punishment) and hope (of His mercy…” (Surah Sajdah v16)

In one hadeeth, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) mentioned, “Hold firmly onto Tahajjud Salaah, for it was the way and habit of the pious people before you. Indeed, Tahajjud Salaah is a means of acquiring the special proximity of Allah Ta‘ala, it prevents one from engaging in sins, it is a means of expiating one’s sins, and it repels sickness from the body.” (Sunan Tirmizi #3549) Hence, if one wishes to acquire the special proximity of Allah Ta‘ala and achieve these other great benefits, then he should strive to awaken for Tahajjud Salaah.

In Surah Muzzammil, Allah Ta‘ala mentions that one of the special benefits of regularly performing the Tahajjud Salaah is that it assists one in suppressing the evil desires of his nafs (carnal self). Allah Ta‘ala says, “Indeed, awakening at night (to perform Tahajjud Salaah), is the most effective way to subdue (one’s nafs)…” (Surah Muzzammil v6)

In regard to the effect of Tahajjud Salaah in assisting a person to adopt taqwa and refrain from sins, it is reported that on one occasion, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was informed of a certain person who would perform Tahajjud Salaah at night, but when the morning would arrive, he would steal from people. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “That which you have explained (i.e. his punctuality on Tahajjud Salaah) will soon prevent him (from stealing).” (Musnad Ahmad #9778)

The people who are steadfast and punctual on performing Tahajjud Salaah enjoy a special position in the sight of Allah Ta‘ala. On account of them sacrificing their sleep and awaking in the dead of night to worship Allah Ta‘ala, Allah Ta‘ala will grant them special honour on the Day of Qiyaamah, and bestow upon them special rewards that will be exclusive to them.

Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “On the Day of Qiyaamah, all the people will be gathered on one plain. An announcer will then call out and say, ‘Where are the people whose sides would remain apart from their beds (due to performing Tahajjud Salaah at night)?’ These people will then stand – and they will be few in number – and they will enter Jannah without reckoning. Thereafter, the command will be given that the remaining people be taken for reckoning.” (Shu‘abul Imaan #2974)

We should thus make an effort and try our best to commence and continue performing the Tahajjud Salaah with punctuality. It was the general practice of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) to perform eight rakaats of Tahajjud Salaah (Saheeh Bukhaari #1147). At the very least, even if we perform just two rakaats, we will reap immense rewards, as these two rakaats are more valuable than the entire world and all its contents. (Az-Zuhd – Ibnul Mubaarak #1289)

The month of Ramadhaan is the ideal opportunity for us to commence performing Tahajjud Salaah, as we already awaken at the time of tahajjud to partake of sehri. Let us ensure that we awaken a little earlier so that we can also perform a few rakaats of Tahajjud Salaah and cry to Allah Ta‘ala in du‘aa, placing our needs and worries before Him.

May Allah Ta‘ala bless us all to become punctual upon the Tahajjud Salaah, and may He bless us with the special sweetness of placing our heads on the floor before Him in sajdah, aameen.