How is 8 rakat Tahajjud prayed in Hanafi fiqh?

Question

There are many videos in youtube and articles in the Net about Tahajjud salah in Hanafi fiqh and they make different confusing statements. Here are some of them:

In Hanafi fiqh Tajahhud is 8 rakats

In Hanafi fiqh Tajahhud is 8 rakats by 2

In Hanafi fiqh Tajahhud is 8 rakats by 2 with one Salam

In Hanafi fiqh Tajahhud is 8 rakats with one Salam

And I understand them like this (in 3 ways),

1st WAY

 [Beginning of Salah]
 - Niyyah (for 8 rakats), Takbeer, Sana, Ta-'awwuz
 1 Tasmiyah, Fatiha, Sura, Ruku', Sajda
 2 Tasmiyah, Fatiha, Sura, Ruku', Sajda
 3 Tasmiyah, Fatiha, Sura, Ruku', Sajda
 4 Tasmiyah, Fatiha, Sura, Ruku', Sajda
 5 Tasmiyah, Fatiha, Sura, Ruku', Sajda
 6 Tasmiyah, Fatiha, Sura, Ruku', Sajda
 7 Tasmiyah, Fatiha, Sura, Ruku', Sajda
 8 Tasmiyah, Fatiha, Sura, Ruku', Sajda
 - Tashahhud
 - Salawat, Dua, Salam
 [End of Salah]

2nd WAY

 [Beginning of Salah]
 - Niyyah (for 8 rakats), Takbeer, Sana, Ta-'awwuz
 1 Tasmiyah, Fatiha, Sura, Ruku', Sajda
 2 Tasmiyah, Fatiha, Sura, Ruku', Sajda
 - Tashahhud
 3 Tasmiyah, Fatiha, Sura, Ruku', Sajda
 4 Tasmiyah, Fatiha, Sura, Ruku', Sajda
 - Tashahhud
 5 Tasmiyah, Fatiha, Sura, Ruku', Sajda
 6 Tasmiyah, Fatiha, Sura, Ruku', Sajda
 - Tashahhud
 7 Tasmiyah, Fatiha, Sura, Ruku', Sajda
 8 Tasmiyah, Fatiha, Sura, Ruku', Sajda
 - Tashahhud
 - Salawat, Dua, Salam
 [End of Salah]

3rd WAY

 [Beginning of Salah]
 - Niyyah (for 2 rakats), Takbeer, Sana, Ta-'awwuz
 1 Tasmiyah, Fatiha, Sura, Ruku', Sajda
 2 Tasmiyah, Fatiha, Sura, Ruku', Sajda
 - Tashahhud
 - Salawat, Dua, Salam
 [End of Salah]

 [Beginning of Salah]
 - Niyyah (for 2 rakats), Takbeer, Sana, Ta-'awwuz
 1 Tasmiyah, Fatiha, Sura, Ruku', Sajda
 2 Tasmiyah, Fatiha, Sura, Ruku', Sajda
 - Tashahhud
 - Salawat, Dua, Salam
 [End of Salah]

 [Beginning of Salah]
 - Niyyah (for 2 rakats), Takbeer, Sana, Ta-'awwuz
 1 Tasmiyah, Fatiha, Sura, Ruku', Sajda
 2 Tasmiyah, Fatiha, Sura, Ruku', Sajda
 - Tashahhud
 - Salawat, Dua, Salam
 [End of Salah]

 [Beginning of Salah]
 - Niyyah (for 2 rakats), Takbeer, Sana, Ta-'awwuz
 1 Tasmiyah, Fatiha, Sura, Ruku', Sajda
 2 Tasmiyah, Fatiha, Sura, Ruku', Sajda
 - Tashahhud
 - Salawat, Dua, Salam
 [End of Salah]

Which way is correct in Hanafi fiqh?

Answer 1

The chosen position of the Hanafi school and the position of the two companions of Abu Hanifah (RA) is that the best way to perform them is with sets of 2 rakahs each set ending in Salam.

It is written in Ad-Darr Al-Mukhtar the well-known Hanafi book of fiqh:

وتُكْرَهُ الزِّيادَةُ عَلى أرْبَعٍ فِي نَفْلِ النَّهارِ، وعَلى ثَمانٍ لَيْلًا بِتَسْلِيمَةٍ لِأنَّهُ لَمْ يَرِدْ (والأفْضَلُ فِيهِما الرُّباعُ بِتَسْلِيمَةٍ) وقالا: فِي اللَّيْلِ المَثْنى أفْضَلُ، قِيلَ وبِهِ يُفْتى

It is disliked to increase over 4 rakahs in Nafl during the day and over 8 rakahs at night with one Salam because it has not been received (from the Prophet).

And the best during both (day and night) is 4 rakahs with one Salam. And the two (companions of Abu Hanifah) said: In the night, pairs are better; And this is the chosen opinion.

This means the 3rd method mentioned in your question is the chosen opinion of the Hanafi school as the best way to do it. Although, as the quote demonstrates, it is allowed without being disliked to the Hanafis to pray all 8 rakahs together, it is not the best choice.

Praying in pairs is also the position of the other 3 schools, and the Hanbalis said it is the only allowed way to do it.

Their evidence is much, but one of the ahadith is:

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Salat during the night should consist of pairs of but if you fear that morning is near, then pray one Rak'ah as Witr." (Bukhari and Muslim)

As for how to pray the 8 rakahs together, that would be like your second method because the position of the Hanafi school is that the Tashahhud is wajib at the end of every two rakahs even during Nafl prayers.

I don't know who would recommend the first method as ideal. Probably, you misunderstood.