Excellence of Tahajjud and its rules

Nafl is an extra deed of worship, which is over the Fardh and Sunnah worship.  There is reward on doing it and no punishment/chastisement on not doing it.  There are great benefits and excellences of it.  Allah Ta'ala says in Surah Baqarah, 182:

 

Translation: ..it is better for the person  who does more good.

 

This shows that offering Nafl earns reward and the proximity of Allah Ta'ala is also achieved.  The status of the person doing so is raised and the person who does this earns the approval of Allah Ta'ala.

 

Hadhrat Muhaddith-e-Deccan (May Allah shower His mercy on him) says about Tahajjud:

 

Translation: In Tahajjud, one may recite any of the long Surah in Tahajjud without fixing any particular Surah as such, so that the Raka'at are long.  This was the habit of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam).  The status of those who recite long Surah is greater than that of those who recite the short Surah.

 

Whichever saint got anything, he (or she) got it because of Tahajjud.  Thus, there is great excellence of Salaat Ul Tahajjud.

 

Translation of Hadith:  The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said:  The people of the night (those who offer Tahajjud) are the most beautiful of the people, because they have been intimate with Allah Ta'ala.  The radiance of Allah Ta'ala will envelop them.  Tomorrow when they come in Qiyamah, the will be as radiant as a lamp in the night.

 

The time for Tahajjud starts after the offering of Salaat Ul Isha and ends before Fajr.   If anyone offers Tahajjud without sleeping in this time, even then Tahajjud has been performed.   Durre Mukhtaar Vol.  1, Kitab Us Salaat, Pg no. 506 has a Hadith on the authority of Imam Tabarani.  In support of this Allama Shaami has said: But it is better to offer Tahajjud after getting up from sleep and in Radd Ul Muhtaar, it is mentioned on the same page and in Durre Mukhtaar: As, it is very taxing on the Nafs (Self) to get up from deep sleep, Allah Ta'ala says in Surah Muzammil:

 

Truly the rising by night is most potent for governing (the soul), and most suitable for (framing) the Word (of Prayer and Praise).  Surah Muzammil (73:6)

 

In worship, reward is based on the effort, so it is better to offer Tahajjud after rising from sleep.  If you offer it without sleeping, even then it is correct.

 

If one is certain of awakening in the night for Tahajjud, then Salaat Ul Witr can be offered along with Tahajjud.  If there is a chance that one may not get up for Tahajjud, then Witr should be offered after offering Salaat Ul Isha itself. 

 

If Witr is offered after Salaat Ul Isha itself and one does get up for Tahajjud before the time for Salaat Ul Fajr starts, then it is unnecessary to offer Salaat Ul Witr again.  Offering it once is enough.

 

It is Mustahab (commendable) to recite Surah Yaseen in Tahajjud.  Much excellence of reciting this Surah has been mentioned.  Whoever recites this Surah to gain the pleasure of Allah Ta'ala and to gain pardon of his/her sins, Allah Ta'ala will forgive the sins of that person.  There is a Hadith in Sahih Ibn Hibban:

 

Hadhrat Hasan Basri (May Allah Ta'ala be well pleased with him) narrates on the authority of Hadhrat Jundub (May Allah Ta'ala be well pleased with him), he says:  The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) has said:  Whoever recites Surah Yasin in the night desiring the pleasure of Allah Ta'ala, then Allah Ta'ala forgives the sins of that person.

 

If reciting Surah Yasin is difficult, then as per convenience any Surah can be recited.

 

If there are missed Salaat to be made up, then this should be done as early as possible.  Making up missed Salaat (Qaza Salaat) receives the first priority.  However, Salaat Ul Chaasht, Salaat Ut Tasbeeh, Tahajjud, etc about which the Hadith mention some specific Surah and/or Tasbeeh to be recited can be offered.  But apart from other Nafl, Qaza Salaat is important. 

 

As given in Fatawa A'alamgiri, Vol. 1, Kitab Us Salaat, Pg No. 125)