The ruling on gathering for the tahajjud prayer in other than Ramadan

The questioner:
May Allah reward you with good and do you good. One of the listening sisters says: Your sister in Allah, the sister of the martyr, says: We were a group of female students in the student dormitory, and we used to pray the tahajjud prayer in congregation. We would agree on a specific time at night, for example one o’clock, and gather. The reason for our gathering was to make it more active for us. Please guide us regarding this action. May Allah reward you with good.

The Shaykh:
It is not permissible to commit to this practice. It is not permissible to commit to gathering for the tahajjud prayer at night except in Ramadan. In Ramadan, there is no harm in that, because this is the sunnah (recommended practice) of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him). He used to pray with his Companions on nights of Ramadan. As for committing to this in other than Ramadan, it is considered a bid'ah (religious innovation), because this was not part of the practice of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)

The presenter:
O Allah, send blessings upon...

The Shaykh:
nor of the practice of his Companions or the best generations. However, if one does it some times without committing to it, there is no harm in that, because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to sometimes pray the voluntary prayer in congregation without committing to it or making it a habit. So if one does it some times, there is no harm. But making it a habit and taking it as a custom, that is not permissible. Yes.