# Salat al-Layl (Tahajjud Prayer) - **Arabic title:** صلاة الليل - **Type:** Amal (acts of worship, step by step) - **When:** Every night, between midnight and dawn - **Time needed:** 30-60 minutes; longer with the optional duas - **Source:** duas.org, Salat al-Layl (Tahajjud Prayer); the dua after every two rak'at from Mikyal al-Makarim and Bihar al-Anwar, others from Sahifa al-Alawiyya, as noted on each dua - **Categories:** [Night](https://duasonline.org/category/night.md) - **Web page:** https://duasonline.org/amal/salat-al-layl ## About The night prayer, step by step: eleven rak'at, eight of Nafilat al-Layl in pairs, two of Salat al-Shaf' and one of Salat al-Witr, with the supplications recited between them, the qunoot of Witr, and what is recited after the prayer. Steps marked optional can be left out. ## Steps (19) ### 1. On Waking, Recite the Duas Before the Night Prayer *Dua, optional* On rising for the night prayer, the Holy Prophet (s) and the Imams (a) recited these supplications. Recite any of them before you begin. Read: [Duas Before Salat al-Layl](https://duasonline.org/dua/salat-al-layl-duas-before.md) ### 2. Pray Eight Rak'at of Nafilat al-Layl *Salat* Pray eight rak'at in pairs of two, each pair like the morning (Fajr) prayer, with the niyyah of Nafilat al-Layl. Salat al-Layl is eleven rak'at in all: these eight, then the two of Salat al-Shaf', then the one of Salat al-Witr. ### 3. After Every Two Rak'at, Pray for the Reappearance of the Imam (a) *Dua, optional* After the salam of each pair of rak'at, recite this supplication for the reappearance of the Imam of our time (a). Read: [Dua After Every Two Rak'at of Salat al-Layl](https://duasonline.org/dua/salat-al-layl-dua-after-every-two-rakat.md) ### 4. After the Fourth Rak'at, the Prostration of Thanks *Dua, optional* The book Adab Salat al-Layl says: after the fourth rak'at, in the prostration of thanks, say "Ma sha' Allah" one hundred times, then recite: فَ صَلّ عَل یٰ مُحَمّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمّدٍ، Transliteration: Fa salli ala Muhammadin wa ali Muhammad\ English: So bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, وَ اجْعَلْ لِىْ فِيْ مَا تَشَاءُ اَنْ تُعَجّلَ فَرَجَ آلِ مُحَمّدٍ صَلّی الُ عَلَيْْهِ وَ آلِهِ وَ سَلّمَ، Transliteration: Waj'al lee fee ma tasha'u an tu'ajjila faraja ali Muhammadin sallallahu alayhi wa alihi wa sallam\ English: and grant me, in what You will, that You hasten the relief of the family of Muhammad, Allah's blessings and peace be upon him and his family, وَ عَجّلْ فَرَجِىْ وَ فَرَجَ اِخْوَ انِىْ مَقْرُوْناً بِفَرَجِهِمْ، Transliteration: Wa 'ajjil farajee wa faraja ikhwanee maqroonan bi-farajihim\ English: and hasten my relief and the relief of my brothers, joined with their relief, وَ تَفْعَلَ بِىْ مَا اَنْتَ اَهْلُهُ. Transliteration: Wa taf'ala bee ma anta ahluh\ English: and do with me what befits You. ### 5. After the Eighth Rak'at, Recite Its Dua *Dua, optional* With the eight rak'at complete, say "Ya Allah" ten times, then recite this supplication. Read: [Dua After the Eighth Rak'at of Salat al-Layl](https://duasonline.org/dua/salat-al-layl-dua-after-eighth-rakat.md) ### 6. Pray Two Rak'at of Salat al-Shaf' *Salat* Pray two rak'at, like the morning (Fajr) prayer, with the niyyah of Salat al-Shaf'. ### 7. After Salat al-Shaf', Recite Its Dua *Dua, optional* After the salam of Salat al-Shaf', recite this supplication before you stand for Witr. Read: [Dua After Salat al-Shaf'](https://duasonline.org/dua/salat-al-layl-dua-after-shaf.md) ### 8. Pray the One Rak'at of Salat al-Witr *Salat* Make the niyyah of Salat al-Witr and say Takbirat al-Ihram, then recite: \- Surah al-Hamd, once\ \- Surah al-Ikhlas, three times\ \- Surah al-Falaq, once\ \- Surah al-Nas, once Then say takbir and raise your hands for the qunoot. You may recite any dua in the qunoot, or the qunoot given in the steps below. ### 9. Begin the Qunoot with the Praise of Allah *Dua* لآ اِلَهَ اِلاَّ اللّهُ الْحَلِيْمُ الْكَرِيْمُ Transliteration: Laa ilaaha illallaahul Halimul Karim\ English: There is none worth worshipping but Allah Who is Forbearing and Generous لآ اِلَهَ اِلاَّ اللّهُ الْعَلِيُّ الْعَظِيْمُ Transliteration: Laa ilaaha illallaahul ‘Aliyyul ‘Azim\ English: There is none worth worshipping but Allah Who is Most High and Great سُبْحَانَ اللّهِ رَبِّ السَّمَاوَاتِ السَّبْعِ Transliteration: Subhaanallaahi Rabbis Samaawaatis Sab'\ English: Glory be to Allah, Who is the Sustainer of the seven heavens and of the seven earth وَ رَبِّ الاَرْضِيْنَ السَّبْعِ Transliteration: wa Rabbil ‘Arzinas Sab'\ English: And Who is the Sustainer of all the things وَ مَا فِيْهِنَّ وَ مَا بَيْنَهُنَّ وَ Transliteration: wa maa fihinna wa maa baynahunna\ English: in them, and between them, رَبُّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيْمِ Transliteration: wa Rabbul 'Arshil ‘Azim\ English: And Who is the Lord of the great ‘Arsh (Divine Center of Authority & Power) وَ الْحَمْدُ لِلّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِيْنَ Transliteration: Wal Hamdul lillaahi Rabbil 'Aalamin\ English: And all praise for Allah, the Sustainer of the worlds. ### 10. Ask Forgiveness for Forty Believers *Dua* Pray for the forgiveness of forty believers, living or dead, naming each one: ..اَللّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ ل Transliteration: Allaahummagh Firli… (Name 40 people)\ English: O Allah, forgive (Name 40 people)… ### 11. Seek Forgiveness Seventy Times *Dhikr, repeat 70 times* اَسْتَغْفِرُ اللّهَ رَبِّي وَ اَتُوْبُ اِلَيْهِ Transliteration: Astaghfirullah Rabbi wa Atuubu Ilayh\ English: I seek forgiveness of Allah my Lord and I turn to Him ### 12. Seek Refuge from the Fire Seven Times *Dhikr, repeat 7 times* هذَا مَقَامُ الْعَآئِذِ بِكَ مِنَ النَّارِ Transliteration: Haadhaa Maqaamul 'Aaidhi Bika Minannaar\ English: This is the position of one who seeks refuge in You from the fire \[of Hell\] ### 13. Ask for Pardon Three Hundred Times *Dhikr, repeat 300 times* اَلْعَفْوَ Transliteration: Al-'Afwa\ English: (I ask for) forgiveness ### 14. Further Duas for the Qunoot *Dua, optional* You may add these supplications to the qunoot of Witr. Read: [Duas for the Qunoot of Witr](https://duasonline.org/dua/salat-al-layl-witr-qunoot-duas.md) ### 15. Close the Qunoot and Complete the Prayer *Dua* Say once: رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي وَ ارْحَمْنِي وَ تُبْ عَلَيَّ اِنَّكَ اَنْتَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِيْمُ Transliteration: rabbighfirli warhamni wa tub alayya ,innaka antat-tawwabur-rahim\ English: Lord, forgive me and have mercy on me, and turn to me, Surely You are the Oft-returning, the Merciful Then complete the ruku' and sujud, and end the prayer with the salam. ### 16. After the Salam, the Tasbih of Lady Fatima al-Zahra (a) and the Prostration of Thanks *Dhikr* Recite the Tasbih of Lady Fatima al-Zahra (a): \- Allahu Akbar, 34 times\ \- Al-hamdu li-Llah, 33 times\ \- Subhana-Llah, 33 times Then go into the prostration of thanks and say five times: سُبُّوحٌ قُدُّوسٌ رَبُّ الْمَلاَئِكَةِ وَالرُّوحِ Transliteration: Subbohon, Qoddoson, Rabbul Mala’ekati Wal-Rooh\ English: All Glorious, All Holy, Lord of the Angels and the Spirit. ### 17. Recite Ayat al-Kursi, Then Prostrate in Thanks Again *Quran* Recite Ayat al-Kursi. Then, for the second time, go into the prostration of thanks and say five times: سُبُّوحٌ قُدُّوسٌ رَبُّ الْمَلاَئِكَةِ وَالرُّوحِ Transliteration: Subbohon, Qoddoson, Rabbul Mala’ekati Wal-Rooh\ English: All Glorious, All Holy, Lord of the Angels and the Spirit. ### 18. Recite Dua Hazeen *Dua, optional* The supplication of the grieving, recited after the night prayer. Read: [Dua Hazeen](https://duasonline.org/dua/dua-hazeen.md) ### 19. To Remove Worries, the Dua of Imam al-Kazim (a) *Dua, optional* According to Imam Musa al-Kazim (a), recite this after the night prayer to remove worries: سُبْحَانَ اللهِ الْعَظِيْمِ وَ بِحَمْدِهِ اَسْتَغْفِرُ اللهَ وَاَسْألَهُ مِنْ فَضْلِهِ Transliteration: Subhana-Llahi al-'azimi wa bi-hamdihi, astaghfiru-Llaha wa as'aluhu min fadlih\ English: Glory be to Allah, the Mighty, and praise be to Him. I seek the forgiveness of Allah and ask Him of His bounty.