Is It Valid to Pray Tahajjud (Night Vigil) Just Before Fajr Time Enters?

Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam

Question: Will it be acceptable pray Tahajjud at 03:30 am if Fajr time enters at 03:53 am?

Answer: Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah,

Yes, that would be acceptable.

Technically, night prayer (qiyam al-layl) is that which is prayed after `Isha and before Fajr. It is known specifically as the night vigil (tahajjud) when it is prayed after sleep.

Abu Hurayra (Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace be upon him, his family, and companions) was asked, “What prayer is most virtuous, after the obligatory prayers?” He said, “Prayer in the depths of the night.” [Muslim, Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi, Nasa i, Ibn Majah]

[Shurunbulali, Imdad al-Fattah bi Sharh Nur al-Idah (439)]

Please also see: Tahajjud Prayer: How To Pray it, When to Pray It and Its Merits

And Allah Most High alone knows best.

wassalam,
[Ustadh] Tabraze Azam

Checked & Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Ustadh Tabraze Azam was born and raised in Ipswich, England, a quiet town close to the east coast of England. His journey for seeking sacred knowledge began when he privately memorized the entire Qur’an in his hometown at the age of 16. He also had his first experience in leading the tarawih (nightly-Ramadan) prayers at his local mosque. Year after year he would continue this unique return to reciting the entire Quran in one blessed month both in his homeland, the UK, and also in the blessed lands of Shaam, where he now lives, studies and teaches.