Night salah

[Afsana]

Salam to all.  Is there a difference between Tahajjud salah, Salat al Leil and Qayam al Leil ?

[Zainab_M]

Walaikum Asl-Salaam.  There is no difference in that these are all night prayers after Isha.  However, Tahajjud is specifically night prayers offered after offering Isha and going to sleep, then waking up in the middle of the night to offer nafl salah. This is Tahajjud.  Salat al-leil and qaiyam al-leil are also offered at night as nafl night prayers soon after Isha or any time after Isha but before going to sleep. That is the only difference.

While Tahajjud can also be called salat al leil or qaiyam (because it is offered at night), salat al leil and qaiyam cannot be called Tahajjud (because these are offered before going to sleep).

Waking up from sleep in the middle of the night (Tahajjud) is certainly distinguished from the nafl night prayers offered prior to sleep because of the extra sacrifice involved of waking up and getting out of bed of offer salah. 

[Afsana]

JazekAllah khairan.  Understand.