Sana Khalid 
This question is very common among many people, will I be able to pray Tahajjud without asleeping, and this is mostly in cases when people want to stay awake all night in order to worship or when their schedule does not permit them go to sleep and afterwards pray. One of the highly rewarding voluntary prayers is Tahajjud and Muslims are known to be always interested in understanding when, how and what. Although the most preferred option is to sleep after Isha and wake up subsequently, there are also Islamic teachings that enable people to pray during the night without necessarily sleeping. In this article, we describe the decision and also cover opinions of the scholars and also tell you how to do the prayer even when you are still awake.
Understanding the Ruling: Can I Pray Tahajjud Without Sleeping?
Can I pray Tahajjud without sleep is a question that most people tend to ask themselves as they seek to enhance their night prayers. As per Islamic teachings, you can do night prayers without having to sleep before, but the conventional Tahajjud bears a relation to waking up after sleep. When you keep awake after Isha, you have not lost your prayer and its reward, and some of the scholars call it Qiyam al-Layl, rather than Tahajjud. The thoughts, faith, and the time spent are of great importance in deciding on the merit of the prayer.
Difference Between Tahajjud and Qiyam al-Layl
In order to realize whether or not can I pray Tahajjud without sleeping is restricted, it is significant to learn the terms. Tahajjud is technically night prayer that is done after one wakes up after sleeping. Qiyam al-Layl on the other hand is a larger term which incorporates every night prayer, recitation, dua and worship performed after Isha- whether one is asleep or not. Thus, when you voluntarily pray at night, and do not sleep, it is said, as it is regarded by many, to be Qiyam al-Layl, though some still regard it as Tahajjud. The main thing is that you want to worship and are committed to it.
General Rule: Night Prayers After Isha Until Fajr
Islam does not have specificity on night worship. You can do voluntary night prayers either before or after Isha and before Fajr whether you are sleeping or not. It implies that when you make an inquiry, can I pray Tahajjud without sleep the easy reply is yes–you may make night prayers without sleeping, and they are not rejected in any way. Sleeping does not have a rigid rule preceding the offering of them.
Preferred Method and Best Time for Tahajjud
Although it is possible to pray without sleep, sleeping after Isha prayer and waking up on the last part of the night is the most recommended. Researchers underline that that makes it more rewarding since more work and discipline are involved. The ideal time would be during the third third of the night, when Allah is merciful and blessed. When you question yourself What shall I pray, Tahajjud, without going to sleep, bear in mind that I can, but it would go better with the Sunnah first to sleep.
Scholarly Opinions on the Requirement of Sleep
Most researchers elaborate that just as sleep predominantly determines the difference between Tahajjud and other night prayers. The strictest those who define Tahajjud say that it involves waking up after sleep. Other people declare that the name is inferior to the very act of worship. In any case, the two categories share the same view that praying at night; after getting up or going to sleep, is an extremely good act. So to be able to pray Tahajjud without sleeping is a terminological endeavor and not validity.
Practical Guidance for Those Who Stay Awake
When you are awake after Isha to either go to work or study or worship and ask a question, will I be able to pray Tahajjud without sleep, you are encouraged to pray whenever you are spiritually prepared. Cleanse yourself, find a secluded location, read Quran and do 2 or more rak’ahs and end with sincere dua. What matters are not the time in which you pray but consistency.
