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TahajjudNight of Mercy

The best time to pray Tahajjud

The night is divided into halves and thirds. Understanding the last third — and why no single clock time is required.

Pending scholarly review · Last updated 9 August 2026

The window for night prayer runs from after Isha until the entry of Fajr. Within that window, the last third of the night carries a particular virtue.

The last third

The Prophet ﷺ said: "Our Lord descends every night to the lowest heaven when the last third of the night remains, and says: Who will call upon Me that I may answer him? Who will ask of Me that I may give him? Who will seek My forgiveness that I may forgive him?" (Sahih al-Bukhari 1145; Sahih Muslim 758)

How the times are worked out

The night, for this calculation, is the period between Maghrib and Fajr — not midnight on a clock. Its length changes with your latitude and the season. That is why the times shown in this app are calculated for your own location and today's date, and why they shift through the year.

These are calculated astronomical values. Please verify them against your local mosque or a trusted local authority.

An important note

Praying at any point in the night is good. If the last third is not realistic for you, pray before you sleep. The Prophet ﷺ said: "Whoever fears he will not rise at the end of the night, let him pray Witr at the beginning of it." (Sahih Muslim 755)

References

  • Sahih al-Bukhari — 1145hadith

    The descent in the last third of the night.

  • Sahih Muslim — 758hadith

    Parallel narration.

  • Sahih Muslim — 755hadith

    Praying Witr early for one who fears not waking.

Islamic educational content is provided with references. For personal religious rulings, please consult a qualified scholar.

Put this into practice tonight

See Isha, Islamic midnight, the last third and Fajr calculated for your own location.

Open tonight's times

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