Ramadan Talk: Night Prayers of Taraweeh and Tahajjud

In the name of Allah most beneficent most merciful. Assalamu Alaikum! This week’s talk discusses the blessings (barakat) that one derives from the last ten days of Ramadan through the performance of the Qiyamul-lail (night voluntary prayers of Taraweeh and Tahajjud), particularly during the night of Lailatul Qadr. This idea was informed by the fact […]

In the name of Allah most beneficent most merciful. Assalamu Alaikum!

This week’s talk discusses the blessings (barakat) that one derives from the last ten days of Ramadan through the performance of the Qiyamul-lail (night voluntary prayers of Taraweeh and Tahajjud), particularly during the night of Lailatul Qadr. This idea was informed by the fact that we are already in the last ten days of Ramadan. 

Taraweeh and Tahajjud

It is instructive to state that the importance and blessings that Allah grants to those that stand to perform voluntary prayers (Taraweeh or Tahajjud) during the month of Ramadan cannot be overemphasised. On account of these prayers, one’s previous sins are forgiven, provided that in performing them one has complete and absolute faith in Allah’s reward. It is with these prayers and other forms of Ibada that the night of Lailatul Qadr (Night of Decree) is observed.

The supererogatory prayer or Ramadan Taraweeh or Tahajjud is eleven raka’at. A’isha (wife of the Prophet, pbuh) was reported by Bukhari and Muslim as saying that Allah’s messenger (pbuh) never offered more than 11 (voluntary) raka’at during Ramadan or any other month. Some scholars have sought to provide reasons for considering 13 raka’at as the maximum.

The Prophet (pbuh) is reported by Bukhari and Muslim in a hadith as saying: “He who prays during the night in Ramadan with faith and desire for his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven.” Therefore, Qiyamul-lail (praying in the night) should not be done for the purpose of merely showing off, but with intention of seeking Allah’s blessings and rewards.

Some Islamic scholars regard the above hadith as a conditional one that promises forgiveness only to those that have a sound Aqida (belief-creed) when they perform the voluntary prayers.

For supplications in Taraweeh and Tahajjud, please consult the booklet called Hisnul-Muslim. But the most common supplication especially in the last ten days of Ramadan is the one reported by A’isha (RA). 

“I asked the Prophet (pbuh),” A’isha said, “about the supplication to make if Allah bless me with His worship in the night of the Decree (Lailatul-Qadr), and he said I should be repeating on and on ‘Allahumma innaka afuwun tuhibbul afuwa fa’afu anni’ (Or Allah mercy is with you, and you love forgiveness, forgive me – all my sins.)

Qur’an Recitation in Qiyamul Lail

The Surahs (chapters of the Holy Qur’an) to be recited in the Taraweeh or Tahajjud depend on one’s ability to stand and one’s memorisation of the Holy Qur’an. But long recitation, especially in Tahajjud, is recommended for those who have the ability to do that. That according to the Prophet (pbuh) will increase one’s reward.

Long recitation is not all that matters in the supererogatory prayers of Taraweeh and Tahajjud. Dhikr (glorifying Allah), with prescribed recitations, is also recommended especially in Sujud (prostration) and Ruku’u (bowing) and all intervals of the prayers where dhikr is stipulated as sunnah.

In voluntary prayers like Taraweeh and Tahajjud one is allowed to look up the Qur’an while reciting especially for those who cannot memorise the Holy Qur’an.

A’isha (RA) said in a hadith reported by Bukhari and Muslim that Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) preoccupied himself during the last ten days of Ramadan with the worship of Allah, stayed awake at night, and woke up his entire family.

Lailatul Qadr (Night of Decree)

Narrated Aisha (RA), as reported by Bukhari, Allah’s messenger (pbuh) said, “search for the night of Qadr in the odd nights of the last ten nights of Ramadan”. Odd nights mean the nights of the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th and 29th. For example, when sunset on the 20th of Ramadan, the night is the night of 21st and it goes in that order. 

I’itikaf (Private Devotion)

A’isha (RA) is also reported in Bukhari and Muslim’s hadiths as saying that it was the habitual practice of the Prophet (pbuh) to carry out a private devotion (I’itikaf) in the last ten days of Ramadan. 

“The prophet used to engage in private devotion,” she said, “in the mosque during the last ten days of Ramadan until Allah, the Great and Glorious, took his soul and his wives followed his practice after his death.”

The aforementioned hadith suggests that this act of worship is recommended to both male and female believers. Some scholars have however said that the private devotion (I’itikaf), not Tahajjud, is only allowed in three mosques, namely, the holy Mosque of Mecca (Ka’aba), the Holy Mosque of the Prophet (pbuh) in Medina, and the Holy Mosque of Baitul-Muqaddas in Jerusalem. Tirmidhi reported that the Prophet (pbuh) only said I’itikaf (private devotion) is only performed in aforementioned three mosques.

I’itikaf simply means seclusion in a mosque, in a certain specified manner with the intention of worshiping Allah, and it is performed during the month of Ramadan, especially in the last ten days.  

A person should enter into a state of I’itikaf after observing the Subh (morning) prayer as narrated by Aisha (RA). She said “After Allah’s messenger (pbuh) had observed the Subh prayer he will enter his place of I’itikaf.” (Bukhari and Muslim). Prophet (pbuh) used to enter his place of I’itikaf at the dawn of the twentieth day of Ramadan after he prayed Subh prayer.

A person doing I’itikaf should engage himself with the recitation of the Noble Qur’an, remembrance of Allah (swt), voluntary prayers, etcetera. A person should abstain from backbiting, and other bad acts, which are tantamount to nullify his Ibadat (worships).

A person must remain in the mosque except for an unavoidable necessity like going to toilet, taking bath, or to eat if there is no one to bring him food inside the mosque. 

There is nothing wrong with visiting a person in I’itikaf, especially visits by his relatives like members of his family. It is shown clearly in the tradition of the prophet (pbuh) that his wives used to visit him and used to escort them up to the door of the mosque.

It is desirable for a person to engage in supplications especially in the nights where the occurrence of Lailatul Qadr is expected. The major aim of a person doing I’itikaf is to witness Lailatul Qadr (night of decree). I’itikaf ends immediately when the new moon of Shawwal (eid-ul-fitr) is sighted.

This brings our contribution on some rulings on the observances of the holy month of Ramadan, this year, to an end. We ask Allah to help us remember Him, thank Him properly, and earn His forgiveness with our Ramadan observances, that we may be saved from the hellfire and celebrate our Sallah peacefully with the fear of Allah. I also ask Allah to forgive the mistakes I made in the course of writing this column and in my other deeds. This column shall come your way next year, insha Allah.

For observations, corrections, suggestions and any other contribution, please contact 0803-8608418 or [email protected]