Islamic Center of Southern California

The late night prayer (Quiyam Ul Layle-Tahajjud)

1. Its merit and excellence:

"And rise from thy sleep and pray during part of the night (as well) as a free offering from thee, and thy sustainer may well raise thee to a glorious station (in the life to come)". The Quran: 17:79

For (true) servants of the Most Gracious are (only) they who walk gently on earth, and who, whenever the foolish address them, reply with (words of) peace; and who remember their Lord far into the night, prostrating themselves and standing. The Quran: 25:63-64

2. Its time is after the night (Isha) prayer but its preferred time is the last third of the night before dawn.

3. One should be fully awake and starts out by praying two short rak`as and then follow with as many rak`as as he wishes. He should stop when he feels sleepy.

4. May be performed in sets of two or four rak`as and concluded by one Witr rak`a.

Islamic Center of Southern California