Transliteration:( Wa minal laili fatahajjad bihee naafilatal laka 'asaaa any yab'asaka Rabbuka Maqaamam Mahmoodaa )
"And during a part of the night, wake up for Tahajjud [172], an additional prayer for you [173]. It is likely that your Lord will raise you to a praised station [174]." [79]
This means: give up your sleep. The word HUJOOD in Arabic implies abandoning or giving up, and TAHAJJUD refers to giving up sleep. From this we learn that Tahajjud Salaah can only be performed at night. One cannot pray Tahajjud after waking up from an afternoon nap, as the phrase used is "from the night".
We also learn that a short sleep before performing Tahajjud is a condition—without sleep, it cannot be termed Tahajjud. A short nap after praying Tahajjud is also Sunnah.
The most suitable time for this Salaah is the last sixth portion of the night. Anyone who wakes up without having performed Esha Salaah cannot pray Tahajjud. The minimum number of rak’ahs is two, and the maximum is twelve. The Holy Prophet ﷺ would usually perform eight rak’ahs.
The reality is that Tahajjud Salaah was obligatory (Fard) upon the Holy Prophet ﷺ, whereas for the followers it is Sunnat-e-Mu’akkidah ‘Alal Kifayah—that is, if even one person in the locality offers it, the obligation is lifted from the rest. But if no one performs it, then the whole community is held accountable for neglecting a Sunnah.
The "Praised Station" refers to a rank admired by both the Creator and creation. It is from this station that the Holy Prophet ﷺ will begin the Grand Intercession on the Day of Judgement. This unique rank is specifically reserved for the Holy Prophet ﷺ, and all other Prophets and creations will admire it.
From this we understand that those of higher spiritual rank should engage in greater worship. The true title of the Prophet, "Muhammad – the Praised One", will be fully realised at the Station of Praise (Maqam-e-Mahmood), for on that day he will be the object of praise of both Allah and His entire creation.
The tafsir of Surah Al-Isra verse 79 by Ibn Kathir is unavailable here.
Please refer to Surah Isra ayat 78 which provides the complete commentary from verse 78 through 79.
(17:79) And rise from sleep during the night[96] as well- this is an additional Prayer for you.[97] Possibly your Lord will raise you to an honoured position.[98]
96. The literal meaning of tahajjud is to rise up by breaking sleep. Therefore, it means: Rise up from sleep after the passing of a part of night and then offer your prayer.
97. Nafl literally means: Something done in addition to an obligatory duty. This shows that the tahajjud prayer is in addition to the five prescribed prayers.
98. “Will raise you to an honored position”. You may attain such a high position in this world and in the next world that people from everywhere may be full of praise for you, and you may become a praiseworthy personality. This is, as if to say: Now your opponents are engaged in calling you names and are trying to defame you throughout the country, and have raised a storm of false accusations against you but that time is not far when the world will ring with the echoes of your praise and in the Hereafter you will become worthy of praise by all creatures. The exaltation of the Prophet (peace be upon him) to the high position of intercession on the Day of Resurrection is also a part of that honored position.
[769]- Literally, "arise from sleep for prayer." [770]- This is a promise from Allāh (subḥānahu wa taʿālā) to Prophet Muḥammad (ﷺ). [771]- The position of intercession by permission of Allāh and the highest degree in Paradise.
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