Allah Almighty says: {And wake up during the night and pray, as an additional prayer for you [O Prophet], so your Lord may raise you to a praised status [of Grand Intercession].} [Surat al-Isrā’: 79] He also says: {Their sides forsake beds} [Surat as-Sajdah: 16] He also says: {They used to sleep but little of the night} [Surat adh-Dhāriyāt: 17]
1) Allah Almighty cared about His Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) as He commanded him to offer Tahajjud (voluntary night prayer) so that he could attain the honor, merit, and the praised station on the Day of Judgment. That is the station of the greatest intercession for the people gathered for the beginning of the Reckoning.
2) They describe the condition of the believers, as they habitually perform Qiyām al-Layl, which grants them honor and dignity in this world and in the Hereafter.
3) He who loves to meet Allah Almighty will abandon physical comfort so as to gain the comfort of his heart.
4) They encourage us to taste the sweetness of closeness to Allah Almighty during the hours of the night. {Their sides forsake beds} in longing for Allah Almighty.
1160/1 - ‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported: The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) would perform Qiyām al-Layl so long that the skin of his feet would crack. I asked him: “Why are you doing this, O Messenger of Allah, while your past and future sins have been forgiven?” He said: “Should I not be a grateful servant?”
[Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim] Al-Mughīrah ibn Shu‘bah reported a similar Hadīth, also narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim.
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1) The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) honored the right of Allah Almighty upon him; as he was diligent in observing Qiyām al-Layl in gratitude to his Lord.
2) A wise person would show gratitude to Allah Almighty if He endows him with special merits.
3) True gratitude involves recognition within the heart and by the tongue and physical actions in obedience to the Bestower of blessings.
1161/2 - ‘Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) once visited him and Fātimah at night and said: “Will you not pray?” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim] --
1162/3 - Sālim ibn ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Umar ibn al-Khattāb (may Allah be pleased with them) reported from his father that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “What an excellent man ‘Abdullāh is, if only he prays in the night.” Sālim said: “‘Abdullāh would not sleep but little in the night ever since.” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim]
1163/4 - ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Amr ibn al-‘Ās (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “O ‘Abdullāh, do not be like so-and-so. He used to offer Qiyām al-Layl and then abandoned it.” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim]
1) They point out the merit of Qiyām al-Layl and that a man should urge the members of his household to perform it.
2) It is recommended to praise a good man if this would encourage him to perform more good deeds.
3) The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) would readily respond to the Prophet’s guidance. That is the attitude of believers: to hasten to obey the commands of Allah and His Prophet, for all goodness and success lie in obeying them.
4) They warn us against being like the lazy people and urge us to be like those with vigor and resolve in doing good deeds.
1164/5 - Ibn Mas‘ūd (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: Mention was made in the Prophet’s presence of a man who had slept all night long until it was the morning. Thereupon, he said: “That is a man in whose ears - or in whose ear - the devil urinated.” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim]
1165/6 - Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “When anyone of you goes to sleep, Satan ties three knots at the back of his head, and he seals each knot with the following words: ‘The night is long; so keep on sleeping.’ When he wakes up and remembers Allah, one knot is undone; when he makes ablution, the second knot is undone; and when he prays, all his knots are undone, and he gets up in the morning active and in good spirits; otherwise, he gets up in bad spirits and sluggish.” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim]
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1) We should completely believe in everything the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) informed us about, like his statement “Satan urinated”, as believers are required to believe in information related to the unseen even if they do not grasp its reality.
2) Qiyām al-Layl shields the one who performs it from Satan’s dominance over him.
3) Remembering Allah, ablution, and prayer are the most effective means for getting rid of the knots made by Satan. These are quite easy to do, with help and guidance from Allah.
4) Worship and activeness lead to relief of the heart, unlike sins and lethargy, which cause unease.
1166/7 - ‘Abdullāh ibn Salām (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “O people, spread the greeting of peace, feed others, and pray at night when people are asleep, and you will enter Paradise in peace.”
[Narrated by Al-Tirmidhi; he classified it as Hasan Sahīh (sound and authentic)]
“Spread the greeting of peace”: This is a command to give the greeting of peace a lot among Muslims, to those you know and those you do not know.
1) The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) was merciful towards his Ummah, as he guided them to the means whereby they can enter Paradise. So, a seeker of Paradise should adhere to those means, in terms of knowing them and applying them.
2) Fortunate believers would be keen to perform Qiyām al-Layl, as they stand before their Lord and supplicate Him in fear and hope.
1167/8 - Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “The most excellent fast after Ramadan is in Allah’s month 'Muharram', and the most excellent prayer after obligatory prayers is the night prayer.” [Narrated by Muslim]
1) Muharram is one of the best months for supererogatory fasting.
2) Supererogatory prayer in the night is better than supererogatory prayer during daytime, as the night is a time abounding with descending mercy, and supplications in it are readily answered.
1168/9 - Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Night prayers are to be offered in pairs, and if you fear dawn is near, observe Witr with one Rak‘ah.” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim]
1169/10 - He also reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) would pray in the night, two Rak‘ahs by two Rak‘ahs, and then observe Witr with one Rak‘ah. [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim]
1) The Prophet’s guidance regarding Qiyām al-Layl is to pray two Rak‘ahs by two Rak‘ahs.
2) When dawn breaks, the time of Witr ends, and the minimum for Witr is one Rak‘ah.
1170/11 - Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: “The Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) used to leave fasting in a month (other than Ramadan) until we would think that he has not fasted at all that month; and he also used to fast in that month until we would think he has not stopped fasting at all in it. If one wished to see him praying at night, one could see him (in that state), and if one wished to see him sleeping at night, one could see him (in that state) too.” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri]
1) It is part of the Prophet’s guidance that he used to perform good deeds on a persistent basis. Indeed, the dearest deed to Allah Almighty is the one that is done regularly, even if it is small.
2) It shows the Prophet’s guidance with regard to moderation in worship. A person should do what is better and more heedful of his Lord and also what is easier and less burdensome to his body.
3) Diversifying worship and not making things hard and boring for ourselves is the perfect guidance with regards to worship.
1171/12 - ‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported: “The Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) used to offer eleven Rak‘ahs – meaning his voluntary night prayer. He would prostrate himself for as long as one of you would recite fifty verses before he would raise his head. He would also offer two Rak‘ahs before the Fajr prayer, after which he would lie on his right side till the Muezzin came to him for prayer.” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri]
1) The recommended number of Rak‘ahs of Qiyām al-Layl is 11, during Ramadan or outside it.
2) It is recommended to prolong prostration in Qiyām al-Layl with Dhikr and supplication, for a person is closest to his Lord when he is prostrating himself.
3) It shows the Prophet’s complete humility before his Lord, as he would prostrate himself for as long as 50 verses are recited.
4) According to the Sunnah, the Imām should only go out to the mosque at the time of Iqāmah.
1172/13 - She also reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) would not offer more than 11 Rak‘ahs (in night prayer), whether in Ramadan or outside it. He would pray four Rak‘ahs; do not ask about how excellent and long they were. Then, he would pray another four; do not ask about how excellent and long they were. Then, he would pray three. I asked: “O Messenger of Allah, will you sleep before observing Witr?” He said: “O ‘Ā’ishah, my eyes sleep, but my heart does not.” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim]
1) It demonstrates the Prophet’s guidance in Qiyām al-Layl. He would offer four Rak‘ahs, making Taslīm after every two Rak‘ahs. Then, he would rest for a while after the four Rak‘ahs.
2) It points out the special trait of the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him), whose heart would not stop remembering Allah, even when his eyes slept.
3) It was part of the Prophet’s guidance to prolong Qiyām al-Layl and perform it perfectly.
1173/14 - And she reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) used to sleep at the beginning of the night and rise at its end to offer prayer. [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim]
1) The best time for Qiyām al-Layl is the last third of the night.
2) It was the Prophet’s guidance to give the body its share of rest at the beginning of the night, so as to be active in worship.
1174/15 - Ibn Mas‘ūd (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: “I prayed with the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) one night. He kept standing for so long that I intended to do something bad.” He was asked: “What did you intend to do?” He said: “To sit down and leave him.” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim]
1175/16 - Hudhayfah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: “I once prayed with the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) one night and he started reciting Sūrat Al-Baqarah. I thought that he would bow at the end of one hundred verses, but he continued. I thought that he would probably recite it in one Rak‘ah, but he continued. I thought he would perhaps bow on completing (this Sūrah). He then started reciting Sūrat An-Nisā’ and read it all, and then he started reciting Sūrat Āl ‘Imrān and read it all. He recited slowly and when he came across a verse of Tasbīh (glorifying Allah), he would glorify Him; when he came across a verse asking Allah (for something), he would ask it from Him; and when he came across a verse seeking refuge (with Allah), he would seek refuge (with Him). He then bowed and said: Subāna Rabbi al-‘Azhhīm (Glory be to my Lord, the Magnificent). His bowing lasted about the same length of time as his standing. Upon rising from Rukū‘, he said: Sami‘ Allahu liman hamidah. Rabbana laka al-hamd (Allah hears him who praises Him. Praise be to You, Our Lord). He then remained standing about the same length of time as he had spent in bowing. He then prostrated and said: Subhāna Rabbi al-A‘la (Glory be to my Lord, the Most High), and his prostration lasted nearly the same length of time as his standing.” [Narrated by Muslim]
1) They show the Prophet’s great status, as he used to worship Allah Almighty in the most perfect manner and would prolong Qiyām al-Layl. When a person knows Allah more, he becomes more fearful and heedful of Him.
2) The senior Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) would not bear what the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) could bear of worship. Nonetheless, they strove to follow him and emulate his performance of worship.
3) The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) used to offer prayer in a proportionate manner. In other words, if he prolonged his recitation and standing, he would also make his bowing and prostration long.
It is the prayer offered in accordance with the Sunnah that has good impact on a person’s character and piety. It comprises long standing and complete bowing and prostration, as well as supplications and Dhikr. So, a person combines in his prayer the Qur’an, supplication, and various forms of praising Allah Almighty. Thus, he tastes the sweetness of private communication with his Lord. That is the true prayer. {Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing} ‘Abdullāh ibn Mas‘ūd (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “As long as you are in prayer, you are thus knocking on the door of the King, and he who knocks on a door persistently will surely enter it.”
1176/17 - Jābir (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) was asked: “Which part of the prayer is best?” He replied: “Long Qunūt.” [Narrated by Muslim]
Qunūt here means standing.
1) Long standing is one of the best acts in prayer, for those who are able to do it.
2) It is preferable to offer the prayer in a proportionate manner. In other words, if we prolong the standing, we should also prolong other pillars of the prayer.
1177/18 - ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Amr ibn al-‘Ās (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “The best prayer in the sight of Allah is the prayer of Dāwūd (Prophet David), and the best fast in the sight of Allah is the fast of Dāwūd. He used to sleep half of the night and rise up to pray one third of it, and then sleep one sixth of it; and he used to fast on alternate days.” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim]
1) In worship, a person is best advised to give rights to all those to whom they are due. He worships the Almighty Lord and does not forget his own right and the right of his family.
2) The prophets (peace be upon them) adopted an approach of moderation and blessing in worship. A Muslim should be keen to abide by the prophetic guidance.
1178/19 - Jābir (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) say: “There is an hour at night that no Muslim happens to be asking Allah in it for any good of this world or the Hereafter except that He will give it to him. This occurs every night.” [Narrated by Muslim]
1) The hour is not specified for a wise purpose, which is to get people to make effort in pursuit of it.
2) Allah Almighty is vastly merciful towards His servants, as He provides them with opportunities every night for having their supplications answered.
1179/20 - Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “When any of you gets up at night to pray, let him start with two short Rak‘ahs.” [Narrated by Muslim]
This Hadīth is not authentically reported to have been said by the Prophet; rather, it is the speech of the Companion Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him). However, the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) is authentically reported to have regularly performed such two short Rak‘ahs, as reported by ‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) in the following Hadīth:
1180/21 - ‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported: “Whenever the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) got up to pray at night, he would start with two short Rak‘ahs.” [Narrated by Muslim]
1) Starting Qiyām al-Layl with two short Rak‘ahs is meant to boost a person’s energy and get him ready for the prayers to come.
2) The Shariah takes human nature into consideration, as it has prescribed such things that help people get active and energetic.
1181/22 - ‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported: “When the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) missed prayer at night because of sickness or otherwise, he would pray twelve Rak‘ahs during the daytime.” [Narrated by Muslim]
1182/23 - ‘Umar ibn al-Khattāb (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Whoever sleeps and fails to recite his nightly portion, or part of it, and then recites it between the Fajr prayer and the Dhuhr prayer, it will be recorded for him as if he recited it during the night.” [Narrated by Muslim]
Nightly portion: the specified amount of recitation in prayer or outside it.
1) It is legitimate to make up for the missed Qiyām al-Layl during daytime, but without observing Witr, for it is only meant to conclude prayers in the night.
2) The time in which we can make up for prayers missed in the night extends from sunrise till before the decline of the sun from its zenith at noon (time for the Zhuhr prayer).
3) Allah is merciful towards His servants, as He has opened to them the gates of mercy during the night and day and does not deprive from the reward the one with excuse.
1183/24 - Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “May Allah have mercy upon a man who wakes up at night and offers prayer, and awakens his wife. If she refuses, he sprinkles water on her face. And may Allah have mercy upon a woman who wakes up at night and offers prayer, and awakens her husband. If he refuses, she sprinkles water on his face.” [Narrated by Abu Dāwūd, with an authentic Isnād]
1184/25 - He and Abu Sa‘īd (may Allah be pleased with both of them) reported: The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “If a man awakens his wife during the night and they pray - or he prays - two Rak‘ahs together, they will be recorded among those men and women who (constantly) make remembrance of Allah.” [Narrated by Abu Dāwūd, with an authentic Isnād]
1) Mercy descends upon husband and wife who cooperate in worship and obedience to Allah Almighty. They do not wake up and leave sleep, which is dear to everyone’s heart, except for the sake of something dearer, and that is private communication with the Almighty Lord.
2) It is legitimate to urge one another to observe Qiyām al-Layl. Thus, we get active in the performance of worship.
3) The houses where Allah Almighty is worshiped and obeyed are blessed and blissful. So, do we now know the path to family happiness?
1185/26 - ‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “If anyone of you gets sleepy in prayer, let him lie down till sleepiness goes away, for if he prays while sleepy, he may intend to ask forgiveness but he will curse himself instead.” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim]
1186/27 - Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “When one of you stands to pray at night and finds it difficult to recite the Qur’an correctly (out of sleepiness), and he is unaware of what he is reciting, he should lie down.” [Narrated by Muslim]
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1) The Prophet’s guidance in worship is to give everything its due right. So, if a person feels sleepy, he should sleep and not tire himself.
2) It shows the tolerance and ease of the Shariah, as it cares about people’s various rights, and it does not burden us with things beyond our capacity. Indeed, Allah is more merciful to His servants than they are to themselves.