How to Pray Salatul Layl (11 Rak’ats Structure)
Salatul Layl consists of eleven (11) Rak’ats and is performed in the following sequence:
✦ 1. Nawafilatul-Layl – 8 Rak’ats
- Pray 8 Rak’ats in 4 sets of 2 Rak’ats each, similar to Fajr prayer.
- Make niyyah (intention) of Nawafilatul-Layl.
Each pair (2 Rak’ats) is prayed as:
- Surah Al-Fatihah (Al-Hamd) – once
- Surah of your choice – once
- Rukū’ and Sujūd – as usual
✦ 2. Salatul Shaf’a – 2 Rak’ats
- After completing the 8 Rak’ats, offer 2 Rak’ats with the niyyah of Salatul Shaf’a.
- This is prayed like a normal prayer, reciting:
- Surah Al-Hamd – once
- Surah Al-Falaq in the first Rak’at
- Surah Al-Nas in the second Rak’at
✦ 3. Salatul Witr – 1 Rak’at (The Final Prayer)
- Make niyyah of Salatul Witr (1 Rak’at)
- After Takbiratul Ihram, recite the following:
In Salatul Witr:
- Surah Al-Hamd – once
- Surah Al-Ikhlas (Qul Huwallahu Ahad) – three times
- Surah Al-Falaq (Qul A’udhu bi Rabbil Falaq) – once
- Surah Al-Nas (Qul A’udhu bi Rabbin Nas) – once
Say Takbir and raise hands for Qunoot and You may recite any Dua or Rabbana or the following:
لآ اِلَهَ اِلاَّ اللّهُ الْحَلِيْمُ الْكَرِيْمُ
Laa ilaaha illallaahul Halimul Karim –
There is none worth worshipping but Allah Who is Forbearing and Generous
لآ اِلَهَ اِلاَّ اللّهُ الْعَلِيُّ الْعَظِيْمُ
Laa ilaaha illallaahul ‘Aliyyul ‘Azim –
There is none worth worshipping but Allah Who is Most High and Great
سُبْحَانَ اللّهِ رَبِّ السَّمَاوَاتِ السَّبْعِ
Subhaanallaahi Rabbis Samaawaatis Sab’ –
Glory be to Allah, Who is the Sustainer of the seven heavens
وَ رَبِّ الاَرْضِيْنَ السَّبْعِ
wa Rabbil ‘Arzinas Sab’ –
And Who is the Sustainer of all the things
وَ مَا فِيْهِنَّ وَ مَا بَيْنَهُنَّ وَ
wa maa fihinna wa maa baynahunna –
in them, and between them
رَبُّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيْمِ
wa Rabbul ‘Arshil ‘Azim –
And Who is the Lord of the great ‘Arsh
وَ الْحَمْدُ لِلّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِيْنَ
Wal Hamdul lillaahi Rabbil ‘Aalamin –
And all praise for Allah, the Sustainer of the worlds
Then, pray for forgiveness of forty [40] people who are either dead or living in the following manner:
…اَللّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ ل
Allaahummagh Firli… (Name) –
O Allah, forgive (Name)…
Continuing with the Qunoot, recite the Istighfar seventy [70] times:
اَسْتَغْفِرُ اللّهَ رَبِّي وَ اَتُوْبُ اِلَيْهِ
Astaghfirullah Rabbi wa Atuubu Ilayh –
I seek forgiveness of Allah my Lord and I turn to Him
Still continuing qunoot, recite the following Dua seven [7] times:
هذَا مَقَامُ الْعَآئِذِ بِكَ مِنَ النَّارِ
Haadhaa Maqaamul ‘Aaidhi Bika Minannaar –
This is the position of one who seeks refuge in You from the fire [of Hell]
Continuing qunoot yet further, recite three hundred [300] times:
اَلْعَفْوَ
Al-‘Afwa –
(I ask for) forgiveness
Finally, the following should be said once:
رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي وَ ارْحَمْنِي وَ تُبْ عَلَيَّ اِنَّكَ اَنْتَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِيْمُ
rabbighfirli warhamni wa tub alayya ,innaka antat-tawwabur-rahim –
Lord, forgive me and have mercy on me, and turn to me, Surely You are the Oft-returning, the Merciful
Complete the Rukuh and Sujood and end the prayer with Salaam
Post Salat:
– Recite Tasbih of Syeda Fatemah Zahra (peace be upon her);
34 times – Allahu Akbar, 33 times – Al-Hamdu Lillah, 33 times – Subhanallah
– Followed by Sajdah of Shukr (reciting 5 times):
سُبُّوحٌ قُدُّوسٌ رَبُّ الْمَلاَئِكَةِ وَالرُّوحِ
Subbohon, Qoddoson, Rabbul Mala’ekati Wal-Rooh –
All Glorious, All Holy, Lord of the Angels and the Spirit
– Next, recite Ayatul Kursi (2:255/6)
Finally, for the second time, perform Sajdah of Shukr reciting 5 times:
سُبُّوحٌ قُدُّوسٌ رَبُّ الْمَلاَئِكَةِ وَالرُّوحِ
Subbohon, Qoddoson, Rabbul Mala’ekati Wal-Rooh –
All Glorious, All Holy, Lord of the Angels and the Spirit
Tahajjud Prayer – Salatul Layl (Night Prayer After Midnight)
Salatul Layl, also known as Tahajjud Prayer, is a deeply spiritual and highly recommended night prayer in Islam, especially emphasised in Shia tradition. It is performed after midnight and before Fajr, and is known to bring immense closeness to Allah (SWT), forgiveness of sins, and spiritual enlightenment. Regular observance of this prayer is a sign of a believer’s deep devotion.
🌙 Why Pray Salatul Layl (Tahajjud)?
Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq (AS) has said, “The honour of a believer lies in his night prayer.” It is narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (SAWW) never abandoned this prayer, even in times of illness or travel. The rewards and benefits of Salatul Layl are beyond measure—bringing spiritual elevation, emotional peace, and divine mercy.
