Tahajjud (Arabic: تهجد ) , Also known as night prayers or Qiyamul Lail, is an optional worship for followers of Islam. It does not include the obligatory five daily prayers. The Prophet of Islam, Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) used to offer regular Tahajjud prayers and encourage his Companions to perform it. "They spend a small part of the night asleep, and in the last hours of the night they apologize." (Surah Az-Zariyat , verses 16-17). It is mentioned in Surah Al-Muzammil of Al-Quran that "Of course waking up at night is very effective in suppressing the mind and reciting Qur'an or dhikr of that time is absolutely correct." Verse 64 of Surah Al-Furqan says: "Beloved servants of Allah are those who prostrate themselves before their **** and spend the night standing." "They were steadfast in the ordeal , steadfast , truthful , faithful . They devoted their wealth to the cause of God, and at the last watch of the night they begged God for forgiveness." (Surat al-Imran: 18) Narrated Abu Horairah: He said: I heard the Messenger of Allah , may Allah bless him and grant him peace, say: In another hadith narrated from Hazrat Abu Horairah, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, ' Allah descends to the nearest heaven every night when the last third of the night remains. He kept saying - who are you to call me , and I will answer his call ? Who will ask me for something , and I will give it to him ? Who is there to ask forgiveness from me and I will forgive him ? ( Bukhari and Muslim)