Qiyam al-layl: what it is, why and how to pray it

Qiyam al-layl is the voluntary night prayer: it is prayed between Isha and Fajr, two rak'as at a time, and ends with Witr.

What is Qiyam al-layl?

« Qiyam al-layl » means « standing at night » in prayer. It is also called Tahajjud, especially when one gets up to pray after sleeping. It is not an obligation, but it is the best of the voluntary prayers.

Why pray it?

• Allah says: « And during part of the night, pray as an extra for yourself. It may be that your Lord will raise you to a praised station. » (Al-Isrâ', 17:79)
• The Prophet ﷺ said: « The best prayer after the obligatory prayer is the night prayer. » (Sahih Muslim 1163)
• Every night, during the last third, Allah descends to the nearest heaven and says: « Who is calling upon Me, that I may answer him? Who is asking of Me, that I may give him? Who is seeking My forgiveness, that I may forgive him? » (Sahih al-Bukhari 1145, Sahih Muslim 758)

When to pray it?

• The time: after the Isha prayer until Fajr time.
• The best time: the last third of the night.
• If you fear you will not wake up, pray Witr before sleeping. The Prophet ﷺ said: « Whoever fears he will not get up at the end of the night, let him pray Witr at the beginning of the night. And whoever hopes to get up at the end of the night, let him pray it at the end of the night, for the prayer at the end of the night is witnessed, and that is better. » (Sahih Muslim 755)

How to pray it?

1. Two rak'as at a time: pray two rak'as, say the salam, then start again. The Prophet ﷺ said: « The night prayer is two by two. » (Sahih al-Bukhari 990, Sahih Muslim 749)
2. As much as you can: two rak'as are enough to start. The Prophet ﷺ did not exceed eleven rak'as, in Ramadan or outside it (Sahih al-Bukhari 1147, Sahih Muslim 738).
3. End with Witr, an odd rak'a. The Prophet ﷺ said: « Make Witr your last prayer of the night. » (Sahih al-Bukhari 998, Sahih Muslim 751). Witr can be prayed as a single rak'a (Sahih Muslim 752).
4. The surahs: recite what you know, short surahs or long passages. In Witr, the Prophet ﷺ recited Al-A'lâ, Al-Kâfirûn and Al-Ikhlâs (Sunan Abî Dâwûd 1423).

Remember

Qiyam al-layl is prayed after Isha and before Fajr, preferably in the last third of the night, two rak'as at a time, and ends with Witr. On L'Imam Virtuel, you can try it for free, guided step by step, at limamvirtuel.com/qiyam.

The religious texts in this article come from the Quran and authentic hadiths, with their references. For a personal question, ask a person of knowledge.