When the Prophet (ﷺ) got up at night to offer the Tahajjud prayer, he used to say: Allahumma lakal-hamd. Anta qaiyyimus-samawati wal-ard wa man fihinna. Walakal-hamd, Laka mulkus-samawati wal-ard wa man fihinna. Walakal-hamd, anta nurus-samawati wal-ard. Wa lakal-hamd, anta-l-haq wa wa'duka-lhaq, wa liqa'uka Haq, wa qauluka Haq, wal-jannatu Han wan-naru Haq wannabiyuna Haq. Wa Muhammadun, sallal-lahu'alaihi wasallam, Haq, was-sa'atu Haq. Allahumma aslamtu Laka wabika amantu, wa 'Alaika tawakkaltu, wa ilaika anabtu wa bika khasamtu, wa ilaika hakamtu faghfir li ma qaddamtu wama akh-khartu wama as-rartu wama'a lantu, anta-l-muqaddim wa anta-l-mu akh-khir, la ilaha illa anta (or la ilaha ghairuka). (O Allah! All the praises are for you, You are the Holder of the Heavens and the Earth, And whatever is in them. All the praises are for You; You have the possession of the Heavens and the Earth And whatever is in them. All the praises are for You; You are the Light of the Heavens and the Earth And all the praises are for You; You are the King of the Heavens and the Earth; And all the praises are for You; You are the Truth and Your Promise is the truth, And to meet You is true, Your Word is the truth And Paradise is true And Hell is true And all the Prophets (Peace be upon them) are true; And Muhammad is true, And the Day of Resurrection is true. O Allah ! I surrender (my will) to You; I believe in You and depend on You. And repent to You, And with Your help I argue (with my opponents, the non-believers) And I take You as a judge (to judge between us). Please forgive me my previous And future sins; And whatever I concealed or revealed And You are the One who make (some people) forward And (some) backward. There is none to be worshipped but you . Sufyan said that `Abdul Karim Abu Umaiya added to the above, 'Wala haula Wala quwata illa billah' (There is neither might nor power except with Allah).
Prayer at Night (Tahajjud)
Sahih al-Bukhari 1120
Opening Invocation of Tahajjud
This comprehensive du'a contains profound theological foundations. The Prophet (ﷺ) begins with "Allahumma lakal-hamd" - establishing that all praise exclusively belongs to Allah, the Sustainer of heavens and earth.
The repetition of "Walakal-hamd" emphasizes the completeness of divine praise, acknowledging Allah's sovereignty (mulk), divine light (nur), and absolute truth (haq). Each affirmation reinforces tawhid - the oneness of Allah.
Affirmation of Fundamental Beliefs
The Prophet (ﷺ) systematically affirms essential Islamic beliefs: Allah's truthfulness, the reality of the Hereafter, the truth of all Prophets, and the finality of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). This serves as a nightly renewal of iman.
By declaring "was-sa'atu Haq" (the Hour is true), the believer maintains consciousness of accountability, which is the spiritual foundation of night prayer.
Personal Submission and Repentance
"Allahumma aslamtu Laka" marks the transition from praise to personal commitment - total submission to Allah alone. The sequence of "amantu" (I believe), "tawakkaltu" (I depend), and "anabtu" (I repent) shows the comprehensive nature of worship.
The plea for forgiveness covers all temporal dimensions - past and future sins, both hidden and manifest - demonstrating the all-encompassing nature of divine mercy.
Divine Sovereignty and Power
"Anta-l-muqaddim wa anta-l-mu'akh-khir" acknowledges Allah's absolute control over all affairs - He advances whom He wills and holds back whom He wills. This cultivates perfect reliance (tawakkul) upon the Creator.
The concluding declaration "la ilaha illa anta" and the addition "wala haula wala quwwata illa billah" complete this spiritual preparation, affirming that all power and capability come solely from Allah.