Question Summary:
What is the correct time for Tahajjud Salāh?

Question Detail:

I offer my Tahajjud Salāh just 10 min. before the Fajr Salāh. Is this permissible and accepted? 
Is it necessary for a person to sleep and wake up to offer Tahajjud Salāh or even if he is awake till 1 or 2 at night he can offer Tahajjud and sleep? 
I am 24 years old and still not married though my parents are trying hard to find me a groom.  But nothing is working out.  I offer all 5 Salāts and also Tahajjud.  I read
“Sallallāhu Alaihi Wa Sallam” 500 times after my A’sr Salāh and “Aghithni Aghithni Aghithni Yā Mughīthu” 500 times after I’shā Salāh.  Is this O.K. to get married to the desired person soon or are there any other Du’ās which I can read to get married soon and not be a burden on my parents.  Please help me and answer my questions and if possible explain how to perform Tahajjud Salāh and what is the best time to perform it? 

Answer :

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
The time for Tahajjud remains until al-Subh al-Sādiq (break of dawn).  This is when the time for Fajr sets in and not necessarily the time when Fajr Salāh is performed in the Masjid.
The actual time for Tahajjud Salāh is after one wakes up from his/her sleep and the most virtuous time is towards the latter portion of the night. [1] However if one is not able to awaken for the performance of Tahajjud Salāh, then he/she may perform Nafl Salāh before sleeping.
The method of performing Tahajjud Salāh is the same as performing any other Salāh.  One may perform only two Raka’āt and may increase as time permits.  One should keep in mind that the Du’ās are accepted at Tahajjud time.  Rasūlullāh Sallallāhu Alaihi Wa Sallam has said:
إِذَا مَضَى شَطْرُ اللَّيْلِ، أَوْ ثُلُثَاهُ، يَنْزِلُ اللهُ تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى إِلَى السَّمَاءِ الدُّنْيَا، فَيَقُولُ: هَلْ مِنْ سَائِلٍ يُعْطَى؟ هَلْ مِنْ دَاعٍ يُسْتَجَابُ لَهُ؟ هَلْ مِنْ مُسْتَغْفِرٍ يُغْفَرُ لَهُ؟ حَتَّى يَنْفَجِرَ الصُّبْحُ (صحيح مسلم، ج 1، ص 522،  دار إحياء التراث العربي – بيروت)
When half the night or one third of the night passes, Allāh Ta’ālā proclaims: “Is there anyone who begs from me so I may grant him? Is there anybody who makes Du’ā to me so that his Du’ā will be accepted?  Is there anyone seeking forgiveness so that he may be pardoned?”  This proclamation continues till the dawn of Fajr.
(Sahīh Muslim)
 
On another occasion, Nabī Sallallāhu Alaihi Wa Sallam said:
 
قيل: يا رسول الله أي الدعاء أسمع؟ قال: «جوف الليل الآخر ودبر الصلوات المكتوبات (سنن الترمذي، ج 6، ص 104-105، الرسالة العالمية)
Nabī Sallallāhu Alaihi Wa Sallam was asked: “Which Du’ā is most accepted?”  He replied: “The Du’ā made in the last part of the night and the Du’ā made after the obligatory prayers.”
(Sunan al-Tirmidhi)
 
You may continue with the Adhkār that you have mentioned in the query.  Also recite abundantly the Du’ā made by Mūsā Alaihissalām when he went away to Madyan.  After reciting the Du’ā, Allāh Ta’āla immediately made arrangements for Musā Alaihissalām’s needs and also got him married shortly thereafter.  The Du’ā is as follows:
 
رَبِّ إِنِّي لِمَا أَنْزَلْتَ إِلَيَّ مِنْ خَيْرٍ فَقِيرٌ (سورة القصص، رقم الاية 24)

(Mūsā Alaihissalām said) O My Sustainer, I am a beggar towards whatever good you will send down for me.
(Qurān 28:24)
Have trust in Allāh Ta’ālā and be patient.  We ask Allāh Ta’ālā to make your difficulties easy. Amīn.
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Mawlana Abdul Azīm bin Abdur Rahman,
Student Darul Iftaa
US
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.
www.daruliftaa.net