If you wish to open the door to mercy and blessings for yourself, you must know What Time Is The Last Third Of The Night. At this time, Allah the Almighty descends to the lowest heaven, and breezes of mercy spread, and all supplications are answered. In this article, we will explore together the importance of the last third of the night, how to calculate it, and general tips for attaining its blessings.
What Time Is The Last Third Of The Night
The last third of the night is the period following the Isha prayer and preceding the Fajr prayer
What does the last third of the night mean?
What Time Is The Last Third Of The Night? The time which begins after Isha and lasts until Fajr is divided into three parts; the last third is the portion of the night remaining before dawn. For Muslims, this time holds great religious and spiritual significance.
Why is the last third of the night special?
This time holds great significance for Muslims, as:
- Allah the Almighty descends to the lowest heaven and says: ‘Is there anyone calling upon Me, that I may answer him? Is there anyone seeking forgiveness, that I may forgive him? Is there anyone asking that I may grant him his request?’
- This time is known as the ‘ sahar’, and Allah the Almighty has commanded us to seek forgiveness during it “ وَالمُسْتَغْفِرِينَ بِالأَسْحَار”.
- Worship at this time is particularly pleasing to Him, as it is done in private whilst most people are asleep.
- At this time of day, a sense of mercy, peace, and tranquillity descends, compared to the rest of the day.
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How to calculate the last third of the night?
Calculating What Time Is The Last Third Of The Night at which the tahajjud prayer is performed is very easy
A simple formula from Isha to Fajr
It is calculated in a very simple way by adding up the number of hours from Isha to Fajr, then dividing by 3; the result represents the number of hours for each of the three parts
Example: how to know your last third tonight
Let us explain this example to clarify:
- If Isha is at 8 pm and Fajr is at 5 am, then the night lasts for 9 hours.
- We divide 9 by 3, so each part lasts for 3 hours.
- The last third of the night corresponds to the final 3 hours, which run from 2 am to 5 am.
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Book Your Free Trial SessionTahajjud Timing and Tahajjud Namaz Time
There is no fixed time for tahajjud throughout the year; rather, it varies according to the times of Fajr and Isha’
When does Tahajjud start?
The time for tahajjud begins immediately after the completion of the Isha prayer, and it is permissible to perform it at that time if one is unable to rise before Fajr.
When does Tahajjud end?
The Tahajjud ends with the call to Fajr, which heralds the end of the night and the beginning of sunrise
Is the last third the best time for Tahajjud?
- Yes, because it is a time of greater reverence, when most people are asleep.
- It is a time when God Almighty descends, making it a blessed time.
- One of the times when prayers are answered, and forgiveness is granted by God Almighty.
Can I Still Pray Tahajjud at 3 am?
Yes, you may perform the tahajjud prayer at 3 a.m., provided that the call to Fajr has not yet been made; in fact, praying at this time is highly recommended and carries great reward, as it takes place during the last hours of the night.
Is 3 am always in the last third?
Whether 3 a.m. falls within the last third of the night depends on our actual definition of nighttime, which begins after the Isha prayer and ends with the Fajr prayer; consequently, this timing is not always fixed but varies from country to country throughout the year.
What if Fajr is earlier or later?
A change in the time of the Fajr prayer means a change in the time of the Isha prayer, and consequently a change in the timing of the last third of the night and the Tahajjud prayer, which may therefore be performed earlier or later.
Can I Pray Tahajjud Without Sleeping?
Tahajjud prayer is ideally performed after sleeping at night and before Fajr.
The difference between Tahajjud and the general night prayer
| Tahajjud prayer | general night prayer | |
| Prayer times | The time for prayer is during the last third of the night. | At any time during the night, from after Isha prayer until Fajr prayer |
| Type of worship | It primarily involves prayer, and any other form of worship may be performed after the prayer has been completed | This includes any form of worship, such as prayer, reciting the Qur’an and remembrance of God |
| The requirement to sleep before prayer | It is a requirement to wake up from sleep before performing the prayer | It is not necessary to wake up from sleep in order to perform the prayer |
How Many Rakats in Tahajjud?
There is no fixed number of rak’ahs that must be observed in the Witr prayer, as this depends on the individual’s ability
What is the minimum number?
The minimum number of rak’ahs is two, followed by the Witr prayer, which consists of an odd number of rak’ahs- either one or three, in accordance with the Sunnah- or more, up to a total of five.
What is the Sunnah number?
The Sunnah for the Tahajjud prayer is to perform 11 rak’ahs, comprising 10 rak’ahs of Tahajjud followed by one rak’ah of Witr, or 13 rak’ahs, in which case the Witr consists of 3 rak’ahs. The evidence for this is the statement of Umm al-Mu’minin ‘A’ishah:”
مَا كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَزِيدُ فِي رَمَضَانِ أَوْ غَيْرِه عَنْ إِحْدَى عَشْرَةَ رَكْعَة ”
The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, never performed more than eleven rak’ahs in the tahajjud prayer
Can I pray only 2 rakats and Witr?
Yes, of course, and the prayer will be valid and accepted, God willing.
- Find out more about the life of the Prophet (peace be upon him) in the Seerah course.
How to Pray Tahajjud and Witr
The tahajjud prayer is voluntary, but it carries a very great reward; therefore, Muslims should strive to perform it to the best of their ability.
How to pray Tahajjud step by step
- It begins by waking up in the last third of the night, preferably just before the Fajr prayer.
- After that, perform Wudu properly.
- The intention and its place in the heart when performing the tahajjud prayer.
- Begin praying as much as one is able, dividing it into two rak’ahs at a time, followed by the Tashahhud and the Tasleem, and then begin the next rak’ah.
- Once the required number of rak’ahs has been completed, the prayer is concluded with the Witr prayer, which consists of one or three rak’ahs, depending on one’s ability.
Read about: Forbidden times of Salah
Should Witr be prayed before or after Tahajjud?
The Witr prayer is performed after completing the number of rak’ahs one is able to perform in the Tahajjud prayer; the number of rak’ahs in the Witr prayer is an odd number- one, three, or more, depending on the Sunnah.
- Join our Fiqh Islamic Jurisprudence course to learn how to perform acts of worship correctly
What Surahs to Read in Tahajjud
Any surah from the Holy Quran may be recited during the tahajjud prayer
Are there specific Surahs for Tahajjud?
Tahajjud prayer is not tied to the recitation of any specific surah, but there are certain surahs that are recommended because of the blessings and ease they bring, and also because of their length; they are neither too short nor too long, so they are not difficult to recite.
- Surah Al-Mulk, which protects from the torment of the grave.
- Surah Al-Waqi’ah, which brings sustenance and blessings.
- The final verses of Surah Al-Baqarah, which protect from jinn and envy.
- Surahs Al-Muzzammil and Al-Muddaththir.
Read about: Dua Khatam Al Quran
What can beginners read?
Beginners are advised to start with short surahs such as Al-Samad, An-Nas, Al-Falaq, and Al-Kawthar to build their confidence; as they continue, they can gradually increase the length of the surahs they recite.
Why the Last Third of the Night Is the Perfect Time for Dua
Praying during the last third of the night is considered one of the blessed times when prayers are answered
Why do many Muslims make dua at this time?
It is a blessed time when Allah’s mercy descends, and supplications are answered. Whoever seeks forgiveness, Allah will forgive them; and whoever seeks anything- whether for the Hereafter or for this world- Allah, the Exalted, will grant them whatever is good.
How to make the most of Tahajjud time
- Go to bed early and set an alarm to wake up.
- Proper ablution with the intention.
- Prepare the surahs you wish to recite and choose those whose meanings you understand, to ensure greater devotion.
- Make a list of the prayers you want to say so that you don’t forget any of them.
- Above all, we must place our trust in God, for everything is in His hands.
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conclusion
Ultimately, understanding What Time Is The Last Third Of The Night remains a great treasure that brings peace of mind, closeness to God, and the fulfilment of one’s wishes. Through commitment and perseverance in seeking the blessings of that time, your life can be transformed into bliss in an instant; therefore, your ideal plan is to join Al-Waleed Academy to learn more about how to perform this prayer and reap its rewards.
FAQs
Is it permissible to read the Qur’an from a mobile phone whilst performing the tahajjud prayer?
Yes, it is permissible to read the Qur’an from a mobile phone, especially for beginners, provided that it does not distract you from maintaining a state of reverence during prayer.
Is it permissible to perform the tahajjud prayer in congregation?
The Tahajjud prayer is traditionally performed individually, but there is no problem with performing it in congregation, especially at the beginning, as a form of encouragement.
Is it necessary to perform the tahajjud prayer at a specific time every night?
There is no requirement to perform the tahajjud prayer at a specific time; it may be performed at any time during the night, though the last third of the night is preferable.
Is the last third of the night before Fajr?
Yes, the last third of the night is the period right before Fajr.
Can I pray Tahajjud if I do not know the exact last third time?
Yes, you can still pray during the night, but knowing the last third helps you choose a more special time.
Can I use an app to know the last third of the night?
Yes, many Islamic prayer apps can help estimate it based on your local Maghrib and Fajr times.
