Introduction

Namaz-e-Shab (Salat al-Layl — Night Prayer) is one of the most exalted and virtuous acts of worship. It is strongly emphasised in the Quran:

"And from the night, rise to pray as an additional act — your Lord may raise you to a praised station." (Surah al-Isra, 17:79)

Imam Ali (AS) is reported to have said: "Night prayer brightens the face, pleases the Lord, fills one with mercy, and is the conduct of the righteous."

It consists of 11 rak'at performed in the last third of the night — ideally in the final hour before Fajr.

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Structure

The prayer is divided into three parts:

| Part | Rak'at | Name | |------|--------|------| | Night prayer (Nafilah al-Layl) | 8 rak'at (4 × 2) | Tahajjud | | Salat al-Shaf' | 2 rak'at | Shaf' | | Salat al-Witr | 1 rak'at | Witr | | Total | 11 rak'at | |

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The 8 Rak'at (Nafilah al-Layl)

Perform four separate two-rak'at prayers. In each two-rak'at prayer:

1. Recite Niyyah: "I am praying two rak'at Nafilah al-Layl, for the nearness of Allah."
2. Rak'at 1: Surah al-Fatiha + any surah (recommended: Surah al-Ikhlas or longer surahs)
3. Rak'at 2: Surah al-Fatiha + any surah
4. Tashahhud, Salam

Recommended surahs for the 8 rak'at include Surah al-Ikhlas, Surah al-Kafirun, Surah al-Mulk, Surah al-Sajdah, and others.

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Salat al-Shaf' (2 Rak'at)

After completing the 8 rak'at:

1. Niyyah: "I am praying two rak'at Salat al-Shaf', for the nearness of Allah."
2. Rak'at 1: Surah al-Fatiha + Surah al-Nas
3. Rak'at 2: Surah al-Fatiha + Surah al-Falaq
4. In the Qunut of Rak'at 2, recite:

رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي وَارْحَمْنِي وَتُبْ عَلَيَّ إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِيمُ

Rabb-ighfir lī wa-rḥamnī wa-tub ʿalayya innaka anta-t-tawwābu-r-raḥīm

Translation: Lord, forgive me, have mercy on me, and accept my repentance — You are the Acceptor of repentance, the Most Merciful.

5. Tashahhud, Salam

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Salat al-Witr (1 Rak'at)

The Witr is the final and most important part of Namaz-e-Shab.

1. Niyyah: "I am praying one rak'at Salat al-Witr, for the nearness of Allah."
2. Recite Surah al-Fatiha + Surah al-Ikhlas
3. After Surah al-Ikhlas, recite:

قُلِ اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتِ ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ

(Recommended: Surah al-Ikhlas × 3, Surah al-Falaq × 1, Surah al-Nas × 1)

4. Raise hands in long Qunut:

The Witr Qunut

Recite the following supplication:

هَذَا مَقَامُ الْعَائِذِ بِكَ مِنَ النَّارِ
اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَآلِ مُحَمَّدٍ

Hādhā maqāmu-l-ʿāʾidhi bika mina-n-nār. Allāhumma ṣalli ʿalā Muḥammadin wa āli Muḥammad.

Translation: This is the position of the one who seeks refuge in You from the Fire. O Allah, send blessings on Muhammad and the family of Muhammad.

Then say 70 times:

أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ رَبِّي وَأَتُوبُ إِلَيْهِ

Astaghfiru-llāha rabbī wa atūbu ilayh

Translation: I seek forgiveness from Allah my Lord and I repent to Him.

Then say 7 times:

هَذَا مَقَامُ الْعَائِذِ بِكَ مِنَ النَّارِ

Hādhā maqāmu-l-ʿāʾidhi bika mina-n-nār

Translation: This is the position of the one who seeks refuge in You from the Fire.

Then say 300 times:

الْعَفْوَ

Al-ʿafwa — Translation: Pardon.

5. Finish: Ruku', Sujud, Tashahhud, Salam.

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Recommended Practice

• Perform this prayer in a state of ritual purity
• It is best to wake in the last third of the night
• Begin with two very light rak'at to ease into wakefulness (some scholars recommend beginning whilst seated if necessary)
• The prayer can be shortened to 3 rak'at (Shaf' + Witr) when pressed for time

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Attribution

Source: Duas.org — Tahajjud / Salat al-Shab

Full Arabic text, audio, and extended narrations available at Duas.org