In the name of Allah the most Beneficent, the most Merciful

Answer

We will Insha’Allah explain your question in different parts.

1.   The Correct time for Tahajjud:

In the Quran Allah talks about the word ‘Tahajjud’:

وَمِنَ اللَّيلِ فَتَهَجَّد بِهِ نافِلَةً لَكَ عسى أَن يَبعَثَكَ رَبُّكَ مَقامًا مَحمودًا

And keep vigil for a part of the night, as a supererogatory [devotion] for you. It may be that your Lord will raise you to a praiseworthy station.[1]

The following commentary has been written in the regards to the above verse:

The literal meaning of the word Tahajjud is to leave one’s sleep after a while.[2]

We can find the following statement in ‘Fatawa Mahmoodiyyah’:

“Tahajjud is that when half of the night passes by, a person wakes up from his sleep and performs some Salaah with the intention of Tahajjud”.[3]

The following statement and narration has been found in ‘Raddul Muhtar’:

“It will be counted for one of you if a person stood up to pray at night until dawn as Tahajjud. A person’s Tahajjud will be when after laying down he has performed some extra optional prayers”.[4]

In Anwarul Bayan, there is a narration: “Sayyidina Thaubanرضي الله عنهnarrates from the Holy Prophet ﷺthat remaining awake is undoubtedly difficult and hard to the soul. Therefore, a person should try to perform two rakaats after the witr when this is performed at the beginning of the night. It will be best if the person woke up later to perform Salaah. However, if he could not, the two rakaats (after the witr) will count as Tahajjud.[5]

From the above we have understood that, the best way for Tahajjud is to wake up at the later part of the night and then perform the Tahajjud Salaah. But, if someone is unable to do so, it is permissible to perform Tahajjud Salaah after Eisha or just before going to sleep.

2.   Joining Tahajjud with Salaatut Tasbeeh

It is permissible to join the intention in a Nafil (optional) prayers.

Its written in ‘Ahsanul Fatawa’ (nearest meaning):

“ The combining of two intentions in one Salaah is permissible, but it shouldn’t be don’t so the full reward can be gain”.[6]

3.   What to recite in Ishraaq

There is no fixed verses, surah or Juz that needs to be recited in Ishraaq. A person can recite whatever he wants and its convenient for him.[7]

Only Allah knows best.

Written by Maulana Javed ibn Nazir Kachhalia

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham