Tahajjud Prayer-Salatul layl -Night Prayer

TIME (WAQT) The time for praying Salatul-Layl is from midnight (midnight is reckoned as the time which is exactly half the time between sunset and the actual dawn) to the time of Adhan for Fajr prayers. However, it can be prayed at anytime after Isha prayers but it is better to pray during the last part of the night near to the time of Fajr prayers. If it is not possible to pray after midnight or before Fajr, then it can be prayed in the morning or any part of the day with the niyyah (intention) of Qadha. It is better to pray with the niyyah of Qadha during the day time than to pray in the early part of the night. Note:

According to Ayatullah Seestani, the time for Salatul-Layl is from midnight to the Adhan time for Fajr prayers. However, it is better to pray near the time of Fajr prayers. Anyone who finds it difficult to pray Salatul-Layl after midnight can pray before midnight.

METHOD

Salatul-Layl is made up of eleven Rak’ats.

The first eight Rak’ats are prayed as normal in pairs of two Rak’ats each with the niyyah of Nawafilatul-Layl.

The next two Rak’ats are prayed with the Niyyah of Salatul Shaf’a.

The remaining one Rak’at is prayed with the Niyyah of Salatul Witr.

In the last one Rak’at, Qunoot is recited before Rukuu and the Salat is completed as usual with Tashahud and Salaam.

The last one Rak’at is prayed as follows: Hold Tasbih in the right hand if required, for keeping count of the dhikr mentioned below to be recited. Make Niyyah and say Takbiratul Ihram.

Recite: Surah Al-Hamd;

Surah Qul Huwallahu Ahad - three times

Surah Qul-Audhubi Rabbil Falaq - once

Surah Qul-Audhubi Rabbin Naas - once.

Note: If one does not know the last two Surahs mentioned above, then it is sufficient to recite Surah Qul Huwallahu Ahad, three times.

Say Takbir and raise both hands for Qunoot.:-

You may recite any Dua. However, it is recommended to recite the following Dua

Then, while holding the Tasbih in the right hand, raise the left hand and pray for forgiveness of forty <40> or more Mu’mineen/Mu’minaat who are either dead or living in the following manner:

Continuing with the Qunoot, while still raising the left hand, recite the following Istighfar seventy <70> times:

Still continuing further while raising the left hand, recite the following Dua seven <7> times

Continuing yet further while still raising the left hand, recite three hundred <300> times

Following this, the following should be said once: " Rabbigfirli warhamni wa tubalaiyyi,Innaka tawwaburrahim"

Finally, complete the Salat in the normal way by going to Rukuu’ followed by Sajdah, Tashahud and Salaam, ending Salatul-Layl.