One of the most cherished aspects of Tahajjud is the art of making Dua or supplications, a powerful means of expressing desires, seeking forgiveness, and seeking Allah’s guidance. In this blog post, we will delve into the significance of Dua in Tahajjud prayers and provide a comprehensive guide on how to invoke blessings, guidance, and forgiveness during these precious moments.
Understanding Tahajjud:
Tahajjud, derived from the Arabic word “hajada,” meaning to wake up for voluntary night prayers, holds a distinct place in Islamic worship. It is a sunnat that the Holy Prophet (pbuh) would follow very religiously, and would very rarely miss out on. The act of Tahajjud has also been heavily recommended by the Prophet and carries great reward.
Although it is not mandatory to wake up to pray Tahajjud (you may pray any time after Isha), performing it after waking up is preferred (but must be performed before the start of Fajr time). This point is slightly disputed, however, with some believing that it is mandatory to sleep, and then wake up for the offering of Tahajjud.
Abu Umamah narrated:
“It was said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, which supplication is most likely to be listened to?’ He said: ‘(During) the last part of the night, and at the end of the obligatory prayers.’
~ Jami` at-Tirmidhi 3499
Importance of Dua in Tahajjud
Technically speaking, “Dua” has nothing to do with Tahajjud prayers. Both the Tahajjud prayers and Dua are two separate events, which happen to be carried out at similar times during the night. Due to their time proximity, however, both events are often correlated with each other, or combined into a single activity (e.g. doing dua after finishing Tahajjud prayers).
The real question here is, “How to ask Dua around the Tahajjud Time” or “How to ask Dua during the later parts of the night”.
The following Hadith (and the previous one) both emphasize on the importance of dua during the third part of the night. This is one of the best times to be making duas.
Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) as saying:
Our Lord, the Blessed and the Exalted, descends every night to the lowest heaven when one-third of the latter part of the night is left, and says: Who supplicates Me so that I may answer him? Who asks Me so that I may give to him? Who asks Me forgiveness so that I may forgive him?
~ Sahih Muslim 758a
You can calculate when the third portion of the night starts and ends, by taking the whole duration of the night (from the start of Maghrib to the end of Fajr) and dividing it into three portions.
How to make Dua in Tahajjud Time (Third part of Night)
You are not required to recite any kind of special dua during this period. The best duas are those which are sincere and come from the heart. You may make any dua related to your circumstance and challenges faced in your personal life (e.g. making important decisions, marriage, repentance).
If you are having trouble with what duas to make, here are some recommendations.
The Prophet would make this dua after waking up for Tahajjud prayer:
للَّهُمَّ لَكَ الْحَمْدُ أَنْتَ نُورُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ وَمَنْ فِيهِنَّ، وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ أَنْتَ قَيِّمُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ وَمَنْ فِيهِنَّ، وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ أَنْتَ الْحَقُّ، وَوَعْدُكَ الْحَقُّ، وَقَوْلُكَ الْحَقُّ، وَلِقَاؤُكَ حَقٌّ، وَالْجَنَّةُ حَقٌّ، وَالنَّارُ حَقٌّ، وَالسَّاعَةُ حَقٌّ، وَالنَّبِيُّونَ حَقٌّ، وَمُحَمَّدٌ حَقٌّ، اللَّهُمَّ لَكَ أَسْلَمْتُ، وَعَلَيْكَ تَوَكَّلْتُ، وَبِكَ آمَنْتُ، وَإِلَيْكَ أَنَبْتُ، وَبِكَ خَاصَمْتُ، وَإِلَيْكَ حَاكَمْتُ، فَاغْفِرْ لِي مَا قَدَّمْتُ وَمَا أَخَّرْتُ، وَمَا أَسْرَرْتُ وَمَا أَعْلَنْتُ أَنْتَ الْمُقَدِّمُ وَأَنْتَ الْمُؤَخِّرُ لا إِلَهَ إِلا أَنْتَ وَلا إِلَهَ غَيْرُكَ
“O Allah, to You be praise, You are the light of the heavens and the earth, and everyone therein. To You be praise; You are the holder of the heavens and the earth, and everyone therein. To You be praise; You are True; Your promise is true; Paradise is true; Hell is true; the Hour is true; the Prophets are true and Muhammad is true. To You have I submitted; in You I put my trust and in You I have believed. To You I turn in repentance; by Your help I argue; to You I refer my case; so, forgive me for my past and future sins, what I have done in secret and what I have done openly. You are the One Who brings forward and puts back. None has the right to be worshipped but You, and there is none who has the right to be worshipped other than You.” (Tirmidhi, Daawat 29; see Bukhari, Tahajjud, 1)
O Allāh! I ask You of that goodness which is beyond my understanding and intention, and which I did not even ask. However, You promised this to anyone of Your creation or any goodness which You want to give to any of Your slaves. I desire this and ask You for it by Your Mercy, O Sustainer of the universe!
“Allahumma atina fi dunya hasanatan wa fil akhirati hasanatan wa qina ‘adhaba annar“
“O Allah, grant us the good in this world and the good in the Hereafter and save us from the torment of Hell-Fire.” (Muslim)
“Allahumma inni a’oodhu bika min-al-bukhl wa a’oodhu bika min-al jubn, wa a’oodhu bika min an noradda ila ardhali al omr, wa a’oodhu bika min fitnati dunya, wa ‘adhabi-l Qabr.”
“O Allah! I seek refuge with You from miserliness, and seek refuge with You from cowardice, and seek refuge with You from being brought back to (senile) geriatric old age, and seek refuge with You from the affliction of the world and from the punishment in the Hereafter.” (Bukhari)
Allahumma ighfirli dhambi kullahu diqqahu wa jillahu wa awwalahu wa akhirahu wa ‘alaniyatahu wa sirrahu.
“O Allah! Forgive all my sins, whether few or more, the first and the last, the apparent and the hidden.” (Muslim)
May your halal duas be fulfilled.