Lawal Ibraheem Olaniyi, Student, Federal University of Technology, Akure
In the stillness of the night, where tranquillity prevails and the beautiful cold blankets the earth, the mercy of the Most Gracious God resonates. It is a divine rendezvous, a whisper between a troubled soul and as-Salam (the Source of Peace). It is a moment of solace for the heart that seeks communion with the Almighty.
Perhaps in a world filled with noise and distractions, the Tahajjud prayer offers a sanctuary of peace and serenity – demanding on the body but soothing on the soul.
Allah says to the believer in the Holy Quran:
وَمِنَ الَّيۡلِ فَتَہَجَّدۡ بِہٖ نَافِلَةً لَّکَ ٭ۖ عَسٰۤي اَنۡ يَّبۡعَثَکَ رَبُّکَ مَقَامًا مَّحۡمُوۡدًا
“And wake up for it (the Quran) in [the latter part of] the night as a supererogatory service for thee. It may be that thy Lord will raise thee to an exalted station.” (Surah Bani Isra’il, Ch.17: V.80)
The word Tahajjud derived from hajjada, which means he remained awake or was sleepless in the night or awoke from sleep to pray. (Five Volume Commentary, Vol. 3, p. 1456)
Further in the Commentary, it is explained that the word naafilah used in the verse highlights that prayers are not a burden to weary the flesh but an opportunity to receive special favour from Allah the Almighty. (Ibid.)
In a hadith, narrated by Hazrat Abu Hurairahra, he reported Allah’s Messengersa as saying:
“The most excellent fast after Ramadan is God’s month al-Muharram, and the most excellent prayer after what is prescribed is prayer during the night.” (Sahih Muslim, Kitab as-siyam, Hadith 1163a)
The spiritual journey of Tahajjud
In the depths of the night, when the people of the world are lost in their slumber, the believer rises to take the special opportunity of meeting with his Lord in silence, casting off the heaviness of the night sleep. A special opportunity to ask for the “impossible,” whispering and crying over their grievances.
Waking up in the depths of the night to stand up for prayer is a task that requires much effort. On this, the Holy Quran commends the believer by saying:
تَتَجَافٰي جُنُوۡبُہُمۡ عَنِ الۡمَضَاجِعِ يَدۡعُوۡنَ رَبَّہُمۡ خَوۡفًا وَّطَمَعًا ۫ وَّمِمَّا رَزَقۡنٰہُمۡ يُنۡفِقُوۡنَ
“Their sides keep away from their beds; [and] they call on their Lord in fear and hope, and spend out of what We have bestowed on them.” (Surah as-Sajdah, Ch.32:V.17)
Becoming a true believer and finding solace in the eternal blessings of Allah the Almighty requires significant sacrifices, one of which is giving up sleep for the sake of worship. The Holy Quran emphasises this by stating:
لَنۡ تَنَالُوا الۡبِرَّ حَتّٰي تُنۡفِقُوۡا مِمَّا تُحِبُّوۡنَ ۬ؕ وَمَا تُنۡفِقُوۡا مِنۡ شَيۡءٍ فَاِنَّ اللّٰہَ بِہٖ عَلِيۡمٌ
“Never shall you attain to righteousness unless you spend out of that which you love; and whatever you spend, Allah surely knows it well.” (Surah Al-e-Imran, Ch.3: V93)
This means dedicating what we hold dear, including our time, effort and comfort (sleep), for the purpose of attaining true righteousness and the pleasure of Allah.
In the Five Volume Commentary, it is mentioned that nothing conduces the spiritual development of a man so much as the night prayer. It is important for anyone who wishes to acquire self-discipline and develop an effective character to stick to the habit of waking up for Tahajjud. (Five Volume Commentary, Vol .5 p. 2706)
Scientific insights into Tahajjud
Some researchers have explored potential physiological effects associated with the Tahajjud prayer. One study by Dr Fitri Faiza Rachmawati suggested there may be changes in brain wave activity when waking at night, potentially affecting alertness. The researcher hypothesised this could create favourable conditions for mental functioning, though more research may be needed to confirm this. (“THE BENEFITS OF TAHAJUD PRAYER ON BRAIN INTELLIGENCE”, fk.uii.ac.id)
Another preliminary study examined stress responses before and after Tahajjud prayer. The researchers reported observing decreased stress levels following the nighttime prayer ritual. They theorised that the practice may influence perception and hormone levels in ways that could affect wellbeing, but noted that further investigation would be required to establish any definitive effects. The physical movements involved were also speculated to potentially increase blood flow to the brain (“Night/Tahajjud Prayer | A Scientific Analysis”, www.subjecteducator.com/tahajjud/)
While these early studies offer intriguing possibilities, more rigorous research may be needed to draw firm conclusions.
Personal experiences on Tahajjud
From personal experience, I can say that after performing the Tahajjud prayer, it feels as though a heavy burden is lifted off my body. I feel incredibly refreshed as if I have been given a ‘tranquil pill’. On days when I offer the Tahajjud prayer, I feel more active and energised compared to the days I don’t. The serenity it brings and the indescribable peace it imparts are overwhelming.
The power of invocation in Tahajjud
The Holy Prophet Muhammadsa is narrated to have said:
“Our Lord, the Blessed, the Superior, comes every night down on the nearest Heaven to us when the last third of the night remains, saying, ‘Is there anyone to invoke Me, so that I may respond to invocation? Is there anyone to ask Me, so that I may grant him his request? Is there anyone seeking My forgiveness, so that I may forgive him?’” (Sahih Bukhari, Kitab at-tahajjud, Hadith 1145)
The Tahajjud prayer is a secret to getting your prayers answered. It brings one closer to Allah, increases their trust in Allah, and helps strengthen their faith. Its inherent beauty lies in its ability to unlock divine doors of mercy. It is a time to ask for the impossible from Allah the Almighty – a time when the gates of the heavenly realm are open to the people of the earth.
An exhortation to pray Tahajjud
In a hadith, narrated by Hazrat Abu Hurairahra,we learn that the Messengersa of Allahsaid:
“May Allah have mercy upon a man who wakes up at night and prays, and awakens his wife. If she refuses, he sprinkles water on her face. May Allah have mercy upon a woman who wakes up at night and prays, and awakens her husband. If he refuses, she sprinkles water on his face.” (Sunan An-Nasa’i, Kitab qiyami l-layli wa tatawwu’i n-nahaar, Hadith 1610)
In this hadith, the Holy Prophetsa emphasised the importance of the night prayer. He deemed it essential for the husband to wake up the wife for the prayer, knowing how hard it might be to get up for the prayer.
The Promised Messiahas has said:
“If our entire lives are spent in worldly engagements, what will we have accumulated for the hereafter? Make a special effort to wake up for Tahajjud and offer it with fervour and joy.” (Malfuzat, Vol. 1, p. 5)
Implementing Tahajjud into daily routine: Practical strategies
Incorporating Tahajjud into one’s routine requires discipline and determination. It’s not merely about waking up physically but hearkening the soul towards the spiritual success it craves. The Holy Quran acknowledges this by saying:
اِنَّ نَاشِئَةَ الَّيۡلِ ہِيَ اَشَدُّ وَطۡاً وَّاَقۡوَمُ قِيۡلًا
“Verily, getting up at night is the most potent means of subduing [the self] and most effective in respect of words [of prayer].” (Surah al-Muzammil, Ch.73: V.7)
Furthermore, according to a hadith reported by Hazrat Abu Hurairara, Allah’s Messengersa said:
“Satan puts three knots at the back of the head of any of you if he is asleep. On every knot he reads and exhales the following words, ‘The night is long, so stay asleep.’ When one wakes up and remembers Allah, one knot is undone, and when one performs ablution, the second knot is undone, and when one prays, the third knot is undone and one gets up energetic with a good heart in the morning; otherwise, one gets up lazy and with a mischievous heart.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab at-tahajjud Hadith 1142)
Nowadays, many stay awake through the night, sometimes on necessary matters and other times on trivial activities, until the time of the Tahajjud prayer. However, in reference to the earlier mentioned hadith, it is important to recognise that the discipline of the Tahajjud prayer involves first sleeping, and then waking up from the comfort of sleep to perform the prayer.
Nevertheless, if for some exceptional reason, one cannot sleep and desires to observe the Tahajjud prayer, then there is no restriction on such a person under Islamic jurisdiction.
Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra, in his book, Remembrance of Allah, highlights several methods on how to wake up for the Tahajjud prayer. One of the best ways to get up for the Tahajjud prayer is to have a strong determination. (Remembrance of Allah, pp. 63-73) This is a proven method from personal experiences and it explains the notion that a strong resolve and sincere intention towards getting up would propel the inertia of sleep and hasten one towards spiritual success.
In a narration from Hazrat Abu Umamahra, he relates that the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa said:
“Make a practice of getting up at night, for it was the custom of the pious before you, is a means of bringing you near to your lord, an atonement for evil deeds and a preventative of sin.” (Mishkat al-Masabih, Kitab as-salat, Hadith 1227)
This beautiful tradition of our beloved Prophetsa re-echoes the significance of waking in the depths of the night when other people are asleep to draw near to Allah, and ask forgiveness for the past and future misdeeds.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the benefit of waking up for the Tahajjud prayer cannot be accented enough. Make an effort to stay consistent in the habit of praying Tahajjud and watch how your path is illuminated and the doors of God’s mercy unfold unto you as the rain pours over dry land.
Establishing a strong connection with Allah the Almighty transcends a mere verbal expression of faith but requires greater effort and dedication.
Perhaps tonight is the night one’s prayeris accepted. If you pray with greater fervour, utmost sincerity, and deep conviction, it may be that God is waiting to answer your prayers. Those two raka’ahs might transform your entire existence in this world. Maybe tonight is your night.