solat tahajjud

The Best time for Tahajjud

The best time to perform it at the last third portion of the night as Abu Hurairah (radiallāhu`anhu) quoted that the Messenger of Allāh (Sallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam), as saying: "Our Lord descends to the lowest heaven during the last third of the night, inquiring: 'Who will call on Me so that I may respond to him? Who is asking something of Me so I may give it to him? Who is asking for My forgiveness so I may forgive him?" [Narrated by Ahmad, al-Bukhāri, and an-Nasā'ie]

‘Amr ibn Abasah (radiallāhu`anhu) reported that he heard the Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) saying: "The closest that a slave comes to his Lord is during the middle of the latter portion of the night. If you can be among those who remember Allāh, the Exalted One, at that time then does so." [Narrated by Ahmad, al-Bukhari, and an-Nasā'ie]

Abdullāh ibn 'Amr (radiallāhu’anhu) reported Rasūlullāh (Sallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam)  as saying: With Allāh the best fasting is that of Dawud and the best prayer is that of Dawud (‘alaihissalam) for he slept half of the night and stood for prayer for the third of it and (then) slept the sixth part of it and he observed fast one day and broke on the other. [Narrated by Muslim (2595)]

The number of raka`at to be performed during Tahajjud

Solāt Tahajjud does not entail a specific number of raka`at which must be performed nor is there any maximum limit which has to be performed. Aishah (radiallāhu`anha) narrated that the number of raka’at  was not fixed by Rasūlullāh (sallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam) but rather a changeable according to the situation of his health, or whether it was done in standing or sitting form. 

Aishah (radiallāhu`anha) narrated Rasūlullāh (Sallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam) (sallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam) used to perform eleven raka’at, in form of an extended two four-raka’at [eight raka’at of Tahajjud], then perform three-raka’at [of Solat Witir.] [Bukhari, Muwatta, Muslim], and in some narrations, he used to perform it in the raka’at-of-twos, which is mustahab way, as Ibn 'Umar (radiallāhu`anhu) reported that a companion asked the Messenger of Allāh (Sallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam) about the night prayer. The Messenger of Allāh (Sallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam) said: "In sets of two, in sets of two. Then when one of you fears the coming of morning, he prays one (raka'ah) that will serve as a Solat Witir (i.e. make the number odd) of what he has prayed." [Al-Bukhari no. 990 and Muslim no. 749] Many narrations, Rasūlullāh (sallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam) would begin the tahajjud with a two short raka’at [Muslim, Abu Dawud]. And in some narrations, Tahajjud Prayer is mentioned only as a two raka’at [Bakhari]. And it is narrated that this number lessened to 9 and 7 as his age progressed [Bukhari, Muslim, and Abu Dawud]

source

http://al-hussaini.blogspot.com/2011/09/tahajjud-virtues-and-way-of-performance.html

kun fayakun

Solat Tahajjud : Make an intention before sleep. WHY?

Upon going to sleep, one should make the intention to perform Tahajjud. Abu ad-Darda'(radiallāhu‘anhu) quoted the Prophet (Sallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam) as saying: "Whoever goes to his bed with the intention of getting up and praying during the night, but, being overcome by sleep, fails to do that, he will have recorded for him what he has intended, and his sleep will be reckoned as a charity (an act of mercy) for him from his Lord." [Narrated by an-Nasā'ie and Ibn Majah: Sahih]

Tranquility was one of the attributes of the Prophet and The Prophet, , said: “That was tranquility, which descended as a result of the recitation of the Quran.”[Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

The Prophet, , said: “That was tranquility, which descended as a result of the recitation of the Quran.”[Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

Tranquility was one of the attributes of the Prophet, , that were mentioned in the previous scriptures, such as where it is stated: “I [Allaah The Almighty] will send an illiterate messenger; he will be neither impolite, rough nor noisy in the markets. He will not be obscene or vulgar. I will make him tranquil and good.”


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Assurance of the heart and consoling those who are distressed

 

Tranquility is a delicate feeling created by Allaah The Almighty. It descended upon the heart of the Prophet, , and the hearts of the believers. Tranquility implies spirit and power; hence, it reassures those who are frightened and consoles those who are distressed. Ibn ‘Abbaas  said, “We would say that tranquility was materialized in ‘Umar’s tongue [speech] and heart.”

 

Ibn Mas‘ood  said, “Tranquility is gain, and forsaking it is loss.”

 

Ibn ‘Abbaas  said, “Every occurrence of the word Sakeenah in the Quran refers to tranquility, except the one that is in Soorat Al-Baqarah.” He was referring to the Quranic verse where Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {And their prophet said to them, “Indeed, a sign of his kingship is that the chest will come to you in which is Sakeenah [assurance] from your Lord and a remnant of what the family of Moosa [Moses] and the family of Haaroon [Aaron] had left, carried by the angels. Indeed in that is a sign for you, if you are believers.”}[Quran 2:248]

 

Sharee‘ah texts enjoin us to adopt tranquility

 

-      In a Hadeeth on the authority of Abu Hurayrah  he said, “Iheard the Prophet  saying: ‘When the Iqaamah is pronounced, do not go to prayer running; you should walk calmly with tranquility. Pray what you catch in congregation and complete what you miss.”[Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

-      The Prophet, , also said:“When the Iqaamah is pronounced, do not get up until you see me. Then get up with tranquility.”[Al-Bukhaari]

-      The Prophet, , also said: “Make things easy for people, and do not make things difficult for them, and make them tranquil [with glad tidings] and do not repulse [them].”[Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

-      The Prophet, , said to the people on the evening of ‘Arafah during the Farewell Pilgrimage: “O people! Proceed with tranquility.”

-      Tranquility is from Allaah The Almighty, and like all the blessings of Allaah The Almighty, it can never be obtained except though our obedience to Him. Supplication is one the greatest causes of being endowed with tranquility. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means):

·        {But Allaah sent down His tranquility upon His Messenger and upon the believers and imposed upon them the word of righteousness, and they were more deserving of it and worthy of it. And ever is Allaah, of all things, Knowing.}[Quran 48:26]

·        {It is He who sent down tranquility into the hearts of the believers that they would increase in faith along with their [present] faith. And to Allaah belong the soldiers of the heavens and the earth, and ever is Allaah Knowing and Wise.}[Quran 48:4]

-      The Prophet, , said: “That was tranquility, which descended as a result of the recitation of the Quran.”[Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

-      The Prophet, , also said: “Any group of people who assemble in one of the Houses of Allaah to recite and study the Quran, tranquility will descend upon them, mercy will overwhelm them, angels will surround them, and Allaah will make mention of them [to the angels].”[Muslim]

-      In a Hadeeth on the authority of Abu Hurayrah  the Prophet, , said: “Pride and arrogance are the characteristics of camel owners, whereas, tranquility and dignity are characteristics of sheep owners.” [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

source

http://www.islamweb.net/emainpage/index.php?page=articles&id=160711