Salaathuth Thahajjud
(THE LATE NIGHT PRAYERS)
This is an important Naf’l (optional) Salaah that brings in countless blessings. Foremost is the good news that our Duaa’yaen (prayers) to Allah are fulfilled soonest.
An hour or two before the Azaan of Salaathul Fajr, we wake up and make Wudu and we perform this Salaah in two to twelve Rakaah’s.
Those who cannot wake up and perform this Salaah at these hours, may perform it earlier, after the Salaathul Ishaa and earn sawaab.
It is masnoon (the Holy Prophet S.A.W.S.’s practice) to perform as many rakaah’s as we can, in pairs of two rakaah’s each.
They bring us immense rewards from Allah.
We recite longer Surath's in each Rakaah, like Surath's Ya'seen, Ar Rahmaan, Vaakhiyah, Al Saj’dah, Al Kahaf and so on, if we can recite them from memory.
It may appear difficult at first but once we get accustomed to it, we will be performing this Salaah with zest and real devotion. We will be spiritually and emotionally uplifted by this Salaah at an hour most auspicious for Duaa’yaen.
The Du’aa (invocation) made to Allah after this Salaah is granted as Allah's Rahmath is closest to us at this hour when we are in devout prayer to Our Creator, seeking His Pardon, His Compassion and the Blessings that only Allah awards.
We need limitless and ever increasing ney’maath, the bounties of inestimable value from Allahu Sub’hanahu va tha Aalaa. Let us then, offer limitless Salaah and good deeds and make heartrending Duaa’yaen to Allah and become worthy of these blessings.
When the entire city is in deep slumber, we are praying to Our Glorious Creator to pardon our sins and grant us fulfillment of our cherished aims and bless us and our near ones with the best of health and happiness and harmony in our family life.
The glory of this Salaah may be seen in the Hadith from Mishkaath: The Holy Prophet S.A.W.S. has informed us that:
In the last third of the night,
Allah welcomes those who pray to Him.
He asks, "Who is it who prays to Me? I will grant his prayer.
Who is it who seeks My favor? I will fulfill his need.
Who is it who seeks My pardon? I will forgive his sins.
Who is it who lends something to (Allah), the One Who has everything and is neither miserly nor harsh."
This drama of asking for, and being granted favors,
goes on and on till daybreak.
We conclude this Salaah and perform the Salaahul With’r al Wa’jib, the last prayer of the night.
Even if we had performed this Salaah earlier, with the Ishaa prayers, we may now perform it again and this will bring us greater sawaab.
