A man said, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! How is the prayer of the night?" He said, "Two rak`at followed by two rak`at and so on, and when you apprehend the approaching dawn, offer one rak`a as witr."
The Excellence of Night Prayer (Tahajjud)
The Prophet (ﷺ) instructed that the night prayer should be performed in units of two rak'at each, demonstrating its recommended format as pairs rather than single units. This pattern reflects the sunnah method of performing voluntary prayers throughout the night.
Methodology of Performance
The instruction "two rak'at followed by two rak'at" indicates that each pair should be completed with the tasleem (salutation of peace), then another pair begun. This allows for natural breaks and prevents physical strain during lengthy worship sessions.
Scholars note that while performing more than two rak'at continuously is permissible, the Prophet's guidance to perform them in pairs represents the optimal method that combines both reward and ease for the worshipper.
The Witr Prayer
The instruction to conclude with one rak'a as witr when dawn approaches serves as the seal for the night prayers. Witr literally means "odd" and thus the night prayers should conclude with an odd number.
Classical scholars differ on whether witr must be one rak'a or can be three or more (while remaining odd), but all agree it should be the final prayer before Fajr. The Prophet's mention of one rak'a here demonstrates the minimum requirement and simplest form.
Timing Considerations
"When you apprehend the approaching dawn" refers to the time when one fears missing the night prayer due to the imminent arrival of Fajr. This shows the flexibility in timing - one may pray Tahajjud anytime after Isha, but the preferred time is the last third of the night.
The wisdom behind this timing is that it is when Allah descends to the lowest heaven and asks: "Who is asking Me so that I may give him?" - making supplications more likely to be accepted during these blessed hours.