Namaz -e- shab ( tahajjud )

TIME (WAQT) The time for praying Salatul-Layl is from midnight (midnight is reckoned as the time which is exactly half the time between sunset and the actual dawn) to the time of Adhan for Fajr prayers. However, it can be prayed at anytime after Isha prayers but it is better to pray during the last part of the night near to the time of Fajr prayers. If it is not possible to pray after midnight or before Fajr, then it can be prayed in the morning or any part of the day with the niyyah (intention) of Qadha. It is better to pray with the niyyah of Qadha during the day time than to pray in the early part of the night. 



Salatul-Layl is made up of Eleven Rak’ats.
 
Ø      The first eight Rak’ats are prayed as normal in pairs of two Rak’ats each with the niyyah of Nawafilatul-Layl.
 
Ø      The next two Rak’ats are prayed with the Niyyah of 'Salatul Shaf’a'.
' 
Ø      The remaining one Rak’at is prayed with the Niyyah of 'Salatul Witr.'
 


In the last one Rak’at, Qunoot is recited before Rukuu and the Salat is completed as usual with Tashahud and Salaam.
 
The last one Rak’at is prayed as follows:
 
Hold Tasbih in the right hand if required ,for keeping count of the dhikr mentioned below to be recited. 

Make Niyyah and say Takbiratul Ihram.
Recite:        
Surah Al-Hamd;
Surah Qul Huwallahu Ahad - three times;
Surah Qul-Audhubi Rabbil Falaq - once;
Surah Qul-Audhubi Rabbin Naas - once.
 
Note: If one does not know the last two Surahs mentioned above, then it is sufficient to recite Surah Qul Huwallahu Ahad, three times.

 

Say Takbir and raise both hands for Qunoot.:-
You may recite any Dua. However, it is recommended to recite the following Dua :-

Laa ilaaha illallaahul Halimul Karim
لآ اِلَهَ اِلاَّ اللّهُ الْحَلِيْمُ الْكَرِيْمُ

 
Laa ilaaha illallaahul ‘Aliyyul ‘Azim
لآ اِلَهَ اِلاَّ اللّهُ الْعَلِيُّ الْعَظِيْمُ

 
Subhaanallaahi Rabbis Samaawaatis Sab'
سُبْحَانَ اللّهِ رَبِّ السَّمَاوَاتِ السَّبْعِ

 
wa Rabbil ‘Arzinas Sab'
وَ رَبِّ الاَرْضِيْنَ السَّبْعِ

 
wa maa fihinna wa maa baynahunna
وَ مَا فِيْهِنَّ وَ مَا بَيْنَهُنَّ وَ

 
wa Rabbul 'Arshil ‘Azim
رَبُّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيْمِ

 
Wal Hamdul lillaahi Rabbil 'Aalamin
وَ الْحَمْدُ لِلّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِيْنَ

There is none worth worshipping but Allah Who is Forbearing and Generous
There is none worth worshipping but Allah Who is Most High and Great
Glory be to Allah, Who is the Sustainer of the seven heavens and of the seven earth
And Who is the Sustainer of all the things in them, and between them,
And Who is the Lord of the great ‘Arsh (Divine Center of Authority & Power)
And all praise for Allah, the Sustainer of the worlds.


 
 Then, while holding the Tasbih in the right hand, raise the left hand and pray for forgiveness of forty [40] or
more Mu’mineen/Mu’minaat who are either dead or living in the following manner:
 
Allaahummagh Firli… (Name)

اَللّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ ل...

O Allah, forgive … giving the names of Mu’mineen/Mu’minaat.     (In each case saying, Allahummagh Firli …….) U may include Ulamaa names



Continuing with the Qunoot, while still raising the left hand, recite the following Istighfar seventy [70] times:
 
Astaghfirullah Rabbi wa Atuubu Ilayh
اَسْتَغْفِرُ اللّهَ رَبِّي وَ اَتُوْبُ اِلَيْهِ

I seek forgiveness of Allah my Lord and I turn to Him




Still continuing further while raising the left hand, recite the following Dua seven [7] times:

Haadhaa Maqaamul 'Aaidhi Bika Minannaar

هذَا مَقَامُ الْعَآئِذِ بِكَ مِنَ النَّارِ

This is the position of one who seeks refuge in You from the fire [of Hell]



 
Continuing yet further while still raising the left hand, recite three hundred [300] times:  - 
Al-'Afwa (I ask for) forgiveness اَلْعَفْوَ
 


Following this, the following should be said once:-

" Rabbigfirli warhamni wa tubalaiyyi,Innaka tawwaburrahim"
“Lord, please forgive me and have mercy upon me and turn back towards me. Verily You are the Oft-Turning back, Most Merciful”


Finally, complete the Salat in the normal way by going to Rukuu’ followed by Sajdah, Tashahud and Salaam, ending Salatul-Layl.
 





As a 'Ta’kibaat' after the Salat, recite:-
 
Ø Tasbih of Syeda Fatemah Zahra (a.s.),   34 times Allahu Akbar; 33 times Al-Hamdu Lillah 33 times Subhanallah,      
Ø followed by Sajdah of Shukr. (reciting 5 times 'Subbuhun quddusun Rabil Malaekatil wa ruhi')
Ø Next, recite Ayatul Kursi.
Ø Finally, for the second time, perform Sajdah of Shukr (reciting 5 times Subbuhun quddusun Rabil Malaekatil wa ruhi), completing the Salat.
Ø Dua Hazeen /grief