Enter Paradise with Peace – Virtues of Qiyam Al-Layl (Part 2)

1. Qiyam al-Layl expels heedlessness from the heart of the believer.

 عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَمْرِو بْنِ الْعَاصِ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ “‏ مَنْ قَامَ بِعَشْرِ آيَاتٍ لَمْ يُكْتَبْ مِنَ الْغَافِلِينَ وَمَنْ قَامَ بِمِائَةِ آيَةٍ كُتِبَ مِنَ الْقَانِتِينَ وَمَنْ قَامَ بِأَلْفِ آيَةٍ كُتِبَ مِنَ الْمُقَنْطَرِينَ ‏“‏ ‏.

‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Amr ibn al-‘As (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: If anyone prays at night, regularly reciting ten verses, he will not be recorded among the negligent; if anyone prays at night and recites a hundred verses, he will be recorded among those who are obedient to Allaah; and if anyone prays at night reciting one thousand verses, he will be recorded among those who receive huge rewards.[Sunan Abu Dawoud no. 1398 and graded Sahih by Al-Albani]

 

عَنْ فَضَالَةَ بن عُبَيْدٍ، وَتَمِيمٍ الدَّارِيِّ، عن النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: مَنْ قَرَأَ عَشْرَ آيَاتٍ فِي لَيْلَةٍ كُتِبَ لَهُ قِنْطَارٌ، وَالْقِنْطَارُ خَيْرٌ مِنَ الدُّنْيَا وَمَا فِيهَا

 

Fadala ibn ‘Ubaid and Tamim ad-Dari (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhuma) narrated that the Messenger of Allaah (ﷺ) said: “The one who recites 10 verses in a night, (the reward of) a Qintar is written for him. And a Qintar is better than the world and whatever it contains.” [At-Tabaraani and graded Hasan by Al-Albani]

 

2.   It is a reason or cause for keeping the Qur’an firm in the heart (i.e. meaning the person will not forget it).

عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ‏.‏ بِمَعْنَى حَدِيثِ مَالِكٍ وَزَادَ فِي حَدِيثِ مُوسَى بْنِ عُقْبَةَ ‏ “‏ وَإِذَا قَامَ صَاحِبُ الْقُرْآنِ فَقَرَأَهُ بِاللَّيْلِ وَالنَّهَارِ ذَكَرَهُ وَإِذَا لَمْ يَقُمْ بِهِ نَسِيَهُ ‏“‏

This Hadeeth has been narrated by Ibn ‘Umar (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhuma) from the Messenger of Allaah (ﷺ), but in the Hadeeth transmitted by Musa ibn ‘Uqbah, this addition is made: “When the companion of the Qur’an (i.e. one who has committed the Qur’an to memory or who is familiar with it) gets up (for night prayer) and recites it night and day, it remains fresh in his mind, but if he does not get up (for prayer and does not recite it), he forgets it.” [Sahih Muslim no. 789b]

 

Reciting the Qur’an all the time has great merits, and the best is to recite the Qur’an in the Salaat. It is even more virtuous and superior to recite the Qur’an in Qiyam al-Layl. In this way, the Qur’an will not be forgotten.

The Qur’an will not be kept firm in the heart unless the person remains reciting it earnestly (and continuously). Whoever is truly seeking that noble high status with Allaah should stay awake at night for Qiyam al-Layl.

3.  It is a means of acceptance of Du’aa (supplication).

It is of the abundant and great gifts from Allaah that He bestows upon those who get up in the night to talk to Him and seek His counsel. Hoping that He will respond to their Du’aa.

حَدَّثَنِي عُبَادَةُ بْنُ الصَّامِتِ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ “‏ مَنْ تَعَارَّ مِنَ اللَّيْلِ فَقَالَ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَهُ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ، وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ، وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ‏.‏ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ، وَسُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ، وَلاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ، وَاللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، وَلاَ حَوْلَ وَلاَ قُوَّةَ إِلاَّ بِاللَّهِ‏.‏ ثُمَّ قَالَ اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي‏.‏ أَوْ دَعَا اسْتُجِيبَ، فَإِنْ تَوَضَّأَ وَصَلَّى قُبِلَتْ صَلاَتُهُ ‏“‏‏‏

‘Ubadah ibn as-Samit (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Whoever gets up at night and says: ‘La ilaha ill-Allaah Wahdahu la Sharika lahu. Lahul Mulk, wa lahul-Hamd wa huwa ‘ala kulli shai’in Qadir. Alhamdu lil-lahi. Wa Subhaan Allaahi. Wa la-ilaha ill-Allaah. Wa-Allaahu Akbar. Wa la hawla wa la Quwata illa-billah.’

 

(None has the right to be worshipped but Allaah. He is the Only One and has no partners. For Him is the Kingdom and all the praises are due (owed) to Him. He is Omnipotent. All the praises are for Allaah. All the glories are for Allaah. And none has the right to be worshipped but Allaah. And Allaah is Great. And there is neither Might nor Power except with Allaah). And then says: — Allaahumma, Ighfir li (O Allaah! Forgive me). Or invokes (Allaah), he will be responded to and if he performs ablution (and prays), his prayer will be accepted.”

[Sahih Al-Bukhari no. 1154]

 

This Hadeeth consists of great reward and profitable commerce with Allaah, and we are unaware of it. How does a person who knows this great virtue prefer sleep over getting up to talk with Allaah, Al-Malik? Whoever hears this Hadeeth should take advantage of the nights to do this little good deed sincerely for Allaah so that Allaah will give him this great reward.

عَنْ جَابِرٍ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ “‏ إِنَّ مِنَ اللَّيْلِ سَاعَةً لاَ يُوَافِقُهَا عَبْدٌ مُسْلِمٌ يَسْأَلُ اللَّهَ خَيْرًا إِلاَّ أَعْطَاهُ إِيَّاهُ ‏“‏ ‏‏

Jabir (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) reported that he heard the Messenger of Allaah (ﷺ) say: “There is an hour during the night in which no Muslim will ask Allaah for good in this world and the next, but He will grant it to him.”

 [Sahih Muslim no. 757]

 

That hour is in all the hours of the night in all nights; we don’t know which hour it is. It is not particularized to its beginning, or its middle or its end. The same way Laylatul-Qadar is hidden and we don’t know exactly what night it is, this golden hour of the night is also hidden. So, the Muslim should spend his nights in Du’aa, remembrance, Salaat, recitation of Qur’an, etc. hoping to get that hour and invoke Allaah. Allaah will respond to him and grant him his request. Allaah never fails in keeping his promises to his servants.

عَنْ مُعَاذِ بْنِ جَبَلٍ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ “‏ مَا مِنْ مُسْلِمٍ يَبِيتُ عَلَى ذِكْرٍ طَاهِرًا فَيَتَعَارُّ مِنَ اللَّيْلِ فَيَسْأَلُ اللَّهَ خَيْرًا مِنَ الدُّنْيَا وَالآخِرَةِ إِلاَّ أَعْطَاهُ إِيَّاهُ ‏“‏ ‏.‏

Mu’adh ibn Jabal (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “If a Muslim sleeps while remembering Allaah, in the state of purification, is awakened from sleep at night, and asks Allaah for good in this world and in the Hereafter, He surely gives it to him”.

[Sunan Abu Dawoud no. 5042 and graded Sahih by Al-Albani]

 

4.  It is a means of attaining Allaah’s Mercy.

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ “‏ رَحِمَ اللَّهُ رَجُلاً قَامَ مِنَ اللَّيْلِ فَصَلَّى وَأَيْقَظَ امْرَأَتَهُ فَإِنْ أَبَتْ نَضَحَ فِي وَجْهِهَا الْمَاءَ رَحِمَ اللَّهُ امْرَأَةً قَامَتْ مِنَ اللَّيْلِ فَصَلَّتْ وَأَيْقَظَتْ زَوْجَهَا فَإِنْ أَبَى نَضَحَتْ فِي وَجْهِهِ الْمَاءَ ‏“‏ ‏.‏

Abu Hurairah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “May Allaah have mercy on a man who gets up at night and prays and awakens his wife. If she refuses, he should sprinkle water on her face. May Allaah have mercy on a woman who gets up at night and prays and awakens her husband. If he refuses, she should sprinkle water on his face.” [Sunan Abu Dawoud no. 1308 and graded Sahih by Al-Albani]

 

عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ، وَأَبِي، هُرَيْرَةَ قَالاَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ “‏ إِذَا أَيْقَظَ الرَّجُلُ أَهْلَهُ مِنَ اللَّيْلِ فَصَلَّيَا أَوْ صَلَّى رَكْعَتَيْنِ جَمِيعًا كُتِبَا فِي الذَّاكِرِينَ وَالذَّاكِرَاتِ ‏“‏ ‏.

 

Abu Sa’id and Abu Hurairah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhuma) narrated that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “If a man awakens his wife at night, and then both pray or both offer two Rak’ahs together, the (name of the) man will be recorded among those who remember Allaah, and the (name of the) woman will be recorded among those who remember Allaah.”

 [Sunan Abu Dawoud no. 1309 and graded Sahih by Al-Albani]

 

‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) used to get up at night and offer as much Salaat as Allaah willed for him. Then at the end of the night he would awaken his family by saying loudly: ‘Salaat, Salaat’ and quote the Ayah from the Qur’an:

 وَأْمُرْ أَهْلَكَ بِالصَّلَاةِ وَاصْطَبِرْ عَلَيْهَا ۖ لَا نَسْأَلُكَ رِزْقًا ۖ نَّحْنُ نَرْزُقُكَ ۗ وَالْعَاقِبَةُ لِلتَّقْوَىٰ -20:132

And enjoin prayer upon your family [and people] and be steadfast therein. We ask you not for provision; We provide for you, and the [best] outcome is for [those of] righteousness.

5.   It is a means of expiation of sins, erasing misdeeds, pardoning mistakes.

None of the sons of Adam are free of sin; we are always in need of expiation. Ibn Rajab (Rahimahullaah) says in “Lataa’if Al-Ma’aarif” that Qiyam al-Layl is one of the greatest Mukaffiraat– expiators of sins.

عَنْ مُعَاذِ بْنِ جَبَلٍ، قَالَ كُنْتُ مَعَ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِي سَفَرٍ فَأَصْبَحْتُ يَوْمًا قَرِيبًا مِنْهُ وَنَحْنُ نَسِيرُ فَقُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَخْبِرْنِي بِعَمَلٍ يُدْخِلُنِي الْجَنَّةَ وَيُبَاعِدُنِي مِنَ النَّارِ ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏“‏ لَقَدْ سَأَلْتَنِي عَنْ عَظِيمٍ وَإِنَّهُ لَيَسِيرٌ عَلَى مَنْ يَسَّرَهُ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ تَعْبُدُ اللَّهَ وَلاَ تُشْرِكُ بِهِ شَيْئًا وَتُقِيمُ الصَّلاَةَ وَتُؤْتِي الزَّكَاةَ وَتَصُومُ رَمَضَانَ وَتَحُجُّ الْبَيْتَ ‏“‏ ‏.‏ ثُمَّ قَالَ ‏“‏ أَلاَ أَدُلُّكَ عَلَى أَبْوَابِ الْخَيْرِ الصَّوْمُ جُنَّةٌ وَالصَّدَقَةُ تُطْفِئُ الْخَطِيئَةَ كَمَا يُطْفِئُ الْمَاءُ النَّارَ وَصَلاَةُ الرَّجُلِ مِنْ جَوْفِ اللَّيْلِ ‏“‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ ثُمَّ تَلاََ‏:‏ ‏(‏ تَتَجَافَى جُنُوبُهُمْ عَنِ الْمَضَاجِعِ ‏)‏ حَتَّى بَلَغَ‏:‏ ‏(‏يَعْمَلُونَ‏)‏ ثُمَّ قَالَ ‏“‏ أَلاَ أُخْبِرُكَ بِرَأْسِ الأَمْرِ كُلِّهِ وَعَمُودِهِ وَذِرْوَةِ سَنَامِهِ ‏“‏ ‏.‏ قُلْتُ بَلَى يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏“‏ رَأْسُ الأَمْرِ الإِسْلاَمُ وَعَمُودُهُ الصَّلاَةُ وَذِرْوَةُ سَنَامِهِ الْجِهَادُ ‏“‏ ‏.‏ ثُمَّ قَالَ ‏“‏ أَلاَ أُخْبِرُكَ بِمَلاَكِ ذَلِكَ كُلِّهِ ‏“‏ ‏.‏ قُلْتُ بَلَى يَا نَبِيَّ اللَّهِ قَالَ فَأَخَذَ بِلِسَانِهِ قَالَ ‏“‏ كُفَّ عَلَيْكَ هَذَا ‏“‏ ‏.‏ فَقُلْتُ يَا نَبِيَّ اللَّهِ وَإِنَّا لَمُؤَاخَذُونَ بِمَا نَتَكَلَّمُ بِهِ فَقَالَ ‏“‏ ثَكِلَتْكَ أُمُّكَ يَا مُعَاذُ وَهَلْ يَكُبُّ النَّاسَ فِي النَّارِ عَلَى وُجُوهِهِمْ أَوْ عَلَى مَنَاخِرِهِمْ إِلاَّ حَصَائِدُ أَلْسِنَتِهِمْ ‏“‏ ‏.

 

Mu’adh ibn Jabal (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated: “I accompanied the Prophet (ﷺ) on a journey. One day I was near him while we were moving so I said: ‘O Messenger of Allaah! Inform me about an action by which I will be admitted into Paradise, and which will keep me far from the Fire.’ He (ﷺ) said: ‘You have asked me about something great, but it is easy for whomever Allaah makes it easy. Worship Allaah and do not associate any partners with Him, establish the Salaat, give the Zakat, fast Ramadan and perform Hajj to the House.‘ Then he (ﷺ) said: ‘Shall I not guide you to the doors of good? Fasting is a shield, and charity extinguishes sins like water extinguishes fire – and a man’s praying in the depths of the night.’” He said: “Then he (ﷺ) recited: ‘Their sides forsake their beds to call upon their Lord.’ Until he reached: ‘What they used to do.‘ [32:16-17] Then he (ﷺ) said: ‘Shall I not inform you about the head of the entire matter, and its pillar, and its hump?‘ I said: ‘Of course O Messenger of Allaah! He said: ‘The head of the matter is Islam, and its pillar is the Salaat, and its hump is Jihaad.‘ Then he (ﷺ) said: ‘Shall I not inform you about what governs all of that?‘ I said: ‘Of course O Messenger of Allaah!'” So he grabbed his tongue. He (ﷺ) said: ‘Restrain this.’ I said: ‘O Prophet of Allaah! Will we be taken to account for what we say?’ He (ﷺ) said: ‘May your mother grieve your loss, O Mu’adh! Are the people tossed into the Fire upon their faces, or upon their noses, except because of what their tongues have wrought.‘” [Jami’ At-Tirmidhi no. 2616]

 

This is really something great. The prayer of a man at night will extinguish sins like water extinguishes fire. Not only does it expiate one’s sins, it elevates a person in degrees in Paradise bringing him closer to Allaah.

 

6.   Qiyam Al-Layl is the time of the descent of Ar-Rahmaan (the Most Beneficent)
7.    Allaah descends to the nearest heaven to respond to the invocation of His needy servants; to forgive them their sins and to give them what they want.

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ “‏ يَنْزِلُ رَبُّنَا تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى كُلَّ لَيْلَةٍ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ الدُّنْيَا حِينَ يَبْقَى ثُلُثُ اللَّيْلِ الآخِرُ يَقُولُ مَنْ يَدْعُونِي فَأَسْتَجِيبَ لَهُ مَنْ يَسْأَلُنِي فَأُعْطِيَهُ مَنْ يَسْتَغْفِرُنِي فَأَغْفِرَ لَهُ ‏“‏‏.

Abu Hurairah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that Allaah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said: “Our Lord, the Blessed, the Superior, comes down every night to the nearest heaven to us when the last third of the night remains, saying: “Is there anyone to invoke Me, so that I may respond to his invocation? Is there anyone to ask Me, so that I may grant him his request? Is there anyone seeking My forgiveness, so that I may forgive him?” [Sahih Al-Bukhari no. 1154]

 

Who is asking? Allaah is Al-Ghanniy, the One Who is free of all wants, Who is in no need of our worship. We are the ones who are in need and we are the ones sleeping at night unaware of His call.

Allaah says ‘who’, to create suspense للتشويق, encouraging and urging us.

Our Maula (Patron, Lord, etc.) is calling us and we don’t respond to Him. He is commanding us to return to Him and we are absent, heedless, sleeping. We should be taking advantage of the last third of the night which is the most noble time for remembering and invoking Allaah. Why aren’t we diligently seeking the high noble matters?

Allaah particularized the last third of the night by His descending to the nearest heaven. Although it is a very short time for the little good deed that you do during this time, you will be getting a multiple reward, more than any other time.

If one of us knew that he will get any mean (worthless) worldly gain in that time, he would get up for it, yet we sleep at the time of the descending of Ar-Rahmaan.

Ibn Al-Mulaqqin commented on the above-mentioned Hadeeth, saying that this time is a noble time and Allaah particularized it to come down to the nearest heaven. He confers upon His servants by accepting their Du’aa, and He (Ta’ala) responds to their Du’aa and gives them what they are asking. The reason that this time of night is really a time of Ghaflah– heedlessness -is because this is a time during which most of the people are enjoying a deep sleep. Leaving that deep sleep and one’s bed is very difficult for the worshipper. This is especially true during winter, and for the people living in luxury, and people who are very tired having worked the whole day. Naturally, they will retire to their beds and enjoy their sleep.

So whoever prefers to get up, prefers talking to Allaah, implores Allaah, repents and asks for His forgiveness; preferring all of this over his desires and what he loves, is an indication of his sincerity and the truthfulness of his desire for that which is with Allaah. Hence, Allaah guarantees to respond to one’s Du’aa whenever one gets up from sleep and invokes Allaah, when his Du’aa is joined with sincerity and truthful intentions, asking Allaah with a heedful heart. Surely Allaah will respond to his Du’aa because Allaah does not accept the Du’aa from the one with the heedless heart. 

 

8.   It is a means of attaining Al-Ghuraf (the high lofty chambers) in Paradise.

 

Allaah recompenses the Mutajjideen, (those who offer night prayer) with high lofty chambers in Paradise.

The word “Tahajjud” is derived from the word “Hajada.” The person who sleeps part of the night and gets up and offers the night prayer is called Mutahajjid.

عَنْ عَلِيٍّ، قَالَ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏“‏ إِنَّ فِي الْجَنَّةِ غُرَفًا تُرَى ظُهُورُهَا مِنْ بُطُونِهَا وَبُطُونُهَا مِنْ ظُهُورِهَا ‏“‏ ‏.‏ فَقَامَ أَعْرَابِيٌّ فَقَالَ لِمَنْ هِيَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قَالَ ‏“‏ لِمَنْ أَطَابَ الْكَلاَمَ وَأَطْعَمَ الطَّعَامَ وَأَدَامَ الصِّيَامَ وَصَلَّى لِلَّهِ بِاللَّيْلِ وَالنَّاسُ نِيَامٌ ‏“‏ ‏.‏

‘Ali (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that the Messenger of Allaah (ﷺ) said: “Indeed in Paradise there are chambers whose outside can be seen from their inside, and their inside can be seen from their outside.” A Bedouin stood and said: ‘Who are they for, O Messenger of Allaah?” He said: “For those who speak well, feed others, fast regularly, and perform Salaat [for Allaah] during the night while the people sleep.” [Jami’ At-Tirmidhi no. 1984]

 

It is a great character and a noble deed; this is the noble impact of the night prayer.

9.   It is one of the best acts of obedience to Allaah and a sublime means of nearness to Allaah after the obligatory prayers.

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، – رضى الله عنه – قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ “‏ أَفْضَلُ الصِّيَامِ بَعْدَ رَمَضَانَ شَهْرُ اللَّهِ الْمُحَرَّمُ وَأَفْضَلُ الصَّلاَةِ بَعْدَ الْفَرِيضَةِ صَلاَةُ اللَّيْلِ ‏“‏ ‏.‏

Abu Hurairah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) reported Allaah’s Messenger (ﷺ) as saying:

“The most excellent fast after Ramadan is God’s month, Al-Muharram, and the most excellent prayer after what is prescribed is prayer during the night.” [Sahih Muslim no. 1163]

 

 

Reasons Qiyam Al-Layl is preferred over daytime voluntary prayers:

1.                  It is more secret, and the person will be more sincere.
2. Unseen voluntary prayers are more excellent than the ones that are performed in front of people.

In a Hadeeth narrated by Abu Ya’la and graded Sahih by Al-Albani in Sahih Al-Jamie’, he (ﷺ) said: “Offering voluntary prayers in which the people do not see one praying, is 25 times more excellent than the prayer that occurs where people can see.”

The reason for this is because Qiyam al-Layl is more difficult on the souls. It is the time for sleep and rest from the tiredness of the day, and it requires a lot of Jihaad to get up in the middle of the night to offer prayer.

3. Recitation during Qiyam al-Layl helps a person more with Tadabbur, because all the occupations are cut off and the heart is more attentive. The heart and the tongue will be in harmony as the heart understands what one is reciting in his Salaat.

إِنَّ نَاشِئَةَ اللَّيْلِ هِيَ أَشَدُّ وَطْئًا وَأَقْوَمُ قِيلًا – 73:6

Indeed, the hours of the night are more effective for concurrence [of heart and tongue] and more suitable for words.

10.  It is the way and the practice of the righteous people who came before us.

عَنْ أَبِي أُمَامَةَ عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَنَّهُ قَالَ ‏“‏ عَلَيْكُمْ بِقِيَامِ اللَّيْلِ فَإِنَّهُ دَأْبُ الصَّالِحِينَ قَبْلَكُمْ وَهُوَ قُرْبَةٌ إِلَى رَبِّكُمْ وَمَكْفَرَةٌ لِلسَّيِّئَاتِ وَمَنْهَاةٌ لِلإِثْمِ ‏“‏ ‏.

Abu Umamah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that the Messenger of Allaah (ﷺ) said: “Hold fast to Qiyam al-Layl, for it is the practice of the righteous before you, and indeed Qiyam al-Layl is a means of nearness to Allaah, a means of prevention from sin, an expiation for bad deeds, and a barrier for the body against disease.”

[Jami’ At-Tirmidhi no. 3549 and graded Sahih Li Ghairihi by Al-Albani]

 

So, Qiyam al-Layl is an ancient act of worship that the perfect and the foremost people perseveringly offered to attain its virtue.

He (ﷺ) mentioned that Qiyam al-Layl is the practice of the righteous people and it is one of their habits that they continuously perform, steadfastly guarding it. He (ﷺ) is drawing attention to the fact that we are the ones who should be doing this act of worship because we are the best of nations.

Even if you only offer just 2 Rak’at at night you will attain these great rewards, and you will be among the righteous people. Qiyam al-Layl prevents a person from sin, so if you have a sin that is hard for you to quit, offering Qiyam al-Layl can be a help for you quit the sin.

 

11.  The night is the time for journeying to Allaah

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ “‏ إِنَّ الدِّينَ يُسْرٌ، وَلَنْ يُشَادَّ الدِّينَ أَحَدٌ إِلاَّ غَلَبَهُ، فَسَدِّدُوا وَقَارِبُوا وَأَبْشِرُوا، وَاسْتَعِينُوا بِالْغَدْوَةِ وَالرَّوْحَةِ وَشَىْءٍ مِنَ الدُّلْجَةِ ‏“‏‏.‏

Abu Hurairah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Religion is very easy and whoever overburdens himself in his religion will not be able to continue in that way. So, you should not be extremists, but try to be near to perfection and receive the good tidings that you will be rewarded; and gain strength by worshipping in the mornings and afternoons, and during the last hours of the nights.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari no. 39]

 

الدلجة means to work at the end of the night, and this is the time when Allaah descends and requests His slaves to ask Him for their needs, etc. So, getting up at night to pray helps and strengthens one in his worship.

In his book فوائد الفوائد, Ibn Al-Qayyim (Rahimahullaah) compares (resembles) a person in this Dunya praying Qiyam al-Layl, to a traveller who travels by night to reach his destination. By steadfastly adhering to the night prayer, the ‘traveller’ will reach his destination (i.e. Paradise). How will a traveller who is sleeping all night reach his destination and attain his goal?

عَنْ أَنَسٍ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ “‏ عَلَيْكُمْ بِالدُّلْجَةِ فَإِنَّ الأَرْضَ تُطْوَى بِاللَّيْلِ ‏“‏ ‏‏

Anas (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) reported the Messenger of Allaah (ﷺ) as saying: “Keep to travelling by night, for the earth is traversed (more easily) by night.”

[Sunan Abu Dawoud no. 2571 and graded Sahih by Al-Albani]

 

Travel in this Dunya is not traversed by feet, rather it is traversed by the hearts, so one must have a high resolution to attain Allaah’s precious good (Paradise).

قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا هُرَيْرَةَ، يَقُولُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ “‏ مَنْ خَافَ أَدْلَجَ وَمَنْ أَدْلَجَ بَلَغَ الْمَنْزِلَ أَلاَ إِنَّ سِلْعَةَ اللَّهِ غَالِيَةٌ أَلاَ إِنَّ سِلْعَةَ اللَّهِ الْجَنَّةُ ‏“‏ ‏.

Abu Hurairah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that the Messenger of Allaah (ﷺ) said: “Whoever fears travelling at night – and whoever travels at night reaches his destination – Allaah provides him with the most precious of goods, and indeed Allaah’s goods are but Paradise.” [Jami’ At-Tirmidhi no. 2450 and graded Hasan Li Ghairihi]

 

This means that whoever really fears the fire, the trials of the grave and those of the Day of Judgment must be diligent in his actions; whoever is diligent will reach Paradise.

Here the Prophet (ﷺ) has compared and resembled the one who fears the Fire to the traveller who fears that he will not reach his destination. Therefore, he is diligent, travelling by night to reach his destination (i.e. Paradise).

It is so sublime and high that one cannot reach it by being lazy and slow in his movement, enjoying and sleeping all night; this is not the way one will attain the high grades in Paradise, which is a precious goodness of Allaah. Its dwellers never die, never become old, their bodies never change, and their beauty only increases. On top of all that, they will be able to gaze upon the glorious face of Allaah all the time.  

 

12.  It attests for the righteousness of the servant

 

عَنْ سَالِمٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ كَانَ الرَّجُلُ فِي حَيَاةِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم إِذَا رَأَى رُؤْيَا قَصَّهَا عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَتَمَنَّيْتُ أَنْ أَرَى رُؤْيَا فَأَقُصَّهَا عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَكُنْتُ غُلاَمًا شَابًّا، وَكُنْتُ أَنَامُ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ عَلَى عَهْدِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَرَأَيْتُ فِي النَّوْمِ كَأَنَّ مَلَكَيْنِ أَخَذَانِي فَذَهَبَا بِي إِلَى النَّارِ فَإِذَا هِيَ مَطْوِيَّةٌ كَطَىِّ الْبِئْرِ، وَإِذَا لَهَا قَرْنَانِ، وَإِذَا فِيهَا أُنَاسٌ قَدْ عَرَفْتُهُمْ فَجَعَلْتُ أَقُولُ أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ النَّارِ ـ قَالَ ـ فَلَقِيَنَا مَلَكٌ آخَرُ فَقَالَ لِي لَمْ تُرَعْ‏.‏
فَقَصَصْتُهَا عَلَى حَفْصَةَ فَقَصَّتْهَا حَفْصَةُ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَ ‏ “‏ نِعْمَ الرَّجُلُ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ، لَوْ كَانَ يُصَلِّي مِنَ اللَّيْلِ ‏“‏‏.‏ فَكَانَ بَعْدُ لاَ يَنَامُ مِنَ اللَّيْلِ إِلاَّ قَلِيلاً‏.‏

 

Salim’s father (‘Abdullaah Ibn ‘Umar) narrated: In the lifetime of the Prophet (ﷺ), whosoever saw a dream would narrate it to Allaah’s Messenger (ﷺ). I had a wish of seeing a dream to narrate it to Allaah’s Messenger (ﷺ). I was a grown-up boy and used to sleep in the mosque in the lifetime of the Prophet. I saw in the dream that two angels caught hold of me and took me to the Fire which was built all round like a built well and had two poles in it and the people in it were known to me. I started saying: “I seek refuge with Allaah from the Fire.” Then I met another angel who told me not to be afraid. I narrated the dream to Hafsa who told it to Allaah’s Messenger (ﷺ). The Prophet said: “’Abdullaah is a good man. I wish he prayed Tahajjud.” After that `Abdullaah (i.e. Salim’s father) used to sleep but a little at night.

[Sahih Al-Bukhari no. 1122]

 

This Hadeeth indicates that whoever prays at night will be attributed with being from among the righteous ones, the best man from among the people.

13.  It is a means for a person to attain high grades in Paradise.

عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ “‏ أَتَانِي اللَّيْلَةَ رَبِّي تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى فِي أَحْسَنِ صُورَةٍ قَالَ أَحْسَبُهُ قَالَ فِي الْمَنَامِ فَقَالَ يَا مُحَمَّدُ هَلْ تَدْرِي فِيمَ يَخْتَصِمُ الْمَلأُ الأَعْلَى قَالَ قُلْتُ لاَ ‏.‏ قَالَ فَوَضَعَ يَدَهُ بَيْنَ كَتِفَىَّ حَتَّى وَجَدْتُ بَرْدَهَا بَيْنَ ثَدْيَىَّ أَوْ قَالَ فِي نَحْرِي فَعَلِمْتُ مَا فِي السَّمَوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الأَرْضِ قَالَ يَا مُحَمَّدُ هَلْ تَدْرِي فِيمَ يَخْتَصِمُ الْمَلأُ الأَعْلَى قُلْتُ نَعَمْ ‏.‏ قَالَ فِي الْكَفَّارَاتِ ‏.‏ وَالْكَفَّارَاتُ الْمُكْثُ فِي الْمَسَاجِدِ بَعْدَ الصَّلَوَاتِ وَالْمَشْىُ عَلَى الأَقْدَامِ إِلَى الْجَمَاعَاتِ وَإِسْبَاغُ الْوُضُوءِ فِي الْمَكَارِهِ وَمَنْ فَعَلَ ذَلِكَ عَاشَ بِخَيْرٍ وَمَاتَ بِخَيْرٍ وَكَانَ مِنْ خَطِيئَتِهِ كَيَوْمَ وَلَدَتْهُ أُمُّهُ وَقَالَ يَا مُحَمَّدُ إِذَا صَلَّيْتَ فَقُلِ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ فِعْلَ الْخَيْرَاتِ وَتَرْكَ الْمُنْكَرَاتِ وَحُبَّ الْمَسَاكِينِ وَإِذَا أَرَدْتَ بِعِبَادِكَ فِتْنَةً فَاقْبِضْنِي إِلَيْكَ غَيْرَ مَفْتُونٍ قَالَ وَالدَّرَجَاتُ إِفْشَاءُ السَّلاَمِ وَإِطْعَامُ الطَّعَامِ وَالصَّلاَةُ بِاللَّيْلِ وَالنَّاسُ نِيَامٌ ‏“‏ ‏.‏

Abu Qilabah narrated from Ibn ‘Abbaas (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhuma) that the Messenger of Allaah (ﷺ) said: “During the night, my Lord, Blessed is He and Most High, came to me in the best of appearances.” He (one of the narrators) said – I think he said it was during a dream – “So He said: ‘O Muhammad! Do you know in what the most exalted group busy themselves with?'” He said: “I said: ‘No.'” He said: “Then He placed His Hand between my shoulders, until I sensed its coolness between my breast.” – or he said: “on my throat, so I knew what was in the heavens, and what was in the earth. Then He said: ‘O Muhammad! Do you know in what the most exalted group busy themselves with?’ I said: ‘Yes, in the acts that atone and the acts that atone are lingering in the Masjid after the Salaat, walking on the feet to the congregation, Isbagh Al-Wudu’, in difficulty. And whoever does that, lives in goodness and dies upon goodness, and his wrongs shall be like that of the day his mother bore him.’ He said: ‘O Muhammad! When you have performed Salaat then say: ‘O Allaah! Indeed, I ask of You, the doing of good deeds, avoiding evil deeds, and loving the poor. And when you have willed Fitnah for your slave, then take me to You without making me suffer from Fitnah.'” He [the Prophet (ﷺ)] said: “And the acts that raise ranks are spreading the Salaam, feeding others, and Salaat during the night, while the people are sleeping.”

[Jami’ At-Tirmidhi no. 3233]

 

It is an indication that Qiyam Al-Layl is one of the things that raises a person’s rank in Paradise.

 

14.  Offering it is following the example of the Messenger of Allaah (ﷺ).

 

عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ أَبِي قَيْسٍ، يَقُولُ قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ رضى الله عنها لاَ تَدَعْ قِيَامَ اللَّيْلِ فَإِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه

وسلم كَانَ لاَ يَدَعُهُ وَكَانَ إِذَا مَرِضَ أَوْ كَسِلَ صَلَّى قَاعِدًا ‏.‏

 

‘Aishah, Ummul Mu’minin (Radia-Allaahu ‘anha) narrated: “Do not give up prayer at night, for the Messenger of Allaah (ﷺ) would not leave it. Whenever he fell ill or lethargic, he would offer it sitting.” [Sunan Abu Dawoud no. 1307 and graded Sahih by Al Albani]

 

Even though his past and future sins have been forgiven, the Messenger of Allaah (ﷺ) used to offer the night prayer until his feet were swollen. Therefore, we should take more care to offer Qiyam al-Layl because of all our sins, which could be the cause of our destruction.

عَنْ عَائِشَةَ ـ رضى الله عنها ـ أَنَّ نَبِيَّ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم كَانَ يَقُومُ مِنَ اللَّيْلِ حَتَّى تَتَفَطَّرَ قَدَمَاهُ فَقَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ لِمَ تَصْنَعُ هَذَا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَقَدْ غَفَرَ اللَّهُ لَكَ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِكَ وَمَا تَأَخَّرَ قَالَ ‏ “‏ أَفَلاَ أُحِبُّ أَنْ أَكُونَ عَبْدًا شَكُورًا ‏“‏‏.‏ فَلَمَّا كَثُرَ لَحْمُهُ صَلَّى جَالِسًا فَإِذَا أَرَادَ أَنْ يَرْكَعَ قَامَ، فَقَرَأَ ثُمَّ رَكَعَ‏.‏

‘Aishah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anha) narrated: “The Prophet (ﷺ) used to offer prayer at night (for such a long time) that his feet used to crack. I said: ‘O Allaah’s Messenger (ﷺ)! Why do you do it since Allaah has forgiven you your faults of the past and those to follow?’ He said: ‘Shouldn’t I love to be a thankful slave (of Allaah)?‘ When he became old, he prayed while sitting, but if he wanted to perform a bowing, he would get up, recite (some other verses) and then perform the bowing.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari no. 4837]

 

عَنْ مُعَاذِ بْنِ جَبَلٍ،…………….ثُمَّ قَالَ ‏“‏ أَلاَ أَدُلُّكَ عَلَى أَبْوَابِ الْخَيْرِ الصَّوْمُ جُنَّةٌ وَالصَّدَقَةُ تُطْفِئُ الْخَطِيئَةَ كَمَا يُطْفِئُ الْمَاءُ النَّارَ وَصَلاَةُ الرَّجُلِ مِنْ جَوْفِ اللَّيْلِ ‏“‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ ثُمَّ تَلاََ‏:‏ تَتَجَافَى جُنُوبُهُمْ عَنِ الْمَضَاجِعِ ‏

حتى بَلَغَ‏:‏ ‏(‏يَعْمَلُونَ‏)‏

Mu’adh ibn Jabal (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated: “……………Then he said: ‘Shall I not guide you to the doors of good? Fasting is a shield, and charity extinguishes sins like water extinguishes fire – and a man’s praying in the depths of the night.’” He said: “Then he recited: ‘Their sides forsake their beds to call upon their Lord.’ Until he reached: ‘What they used to do.‘” [32:16-17] [Jami’ At-Tirmidhi no. 2616]

 

15.  It is one of the characteristics of Al-Abraar– the pious people

 

Anas (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that whenever the Prophet (ﷺ) used to pray or invoke for someone, he would say: “Oh Allaah, make him to offer the Salaat of the Abraar people, the prayer of the pious people. They establish the night with prayer, they fast during the day, they are not sinners, nor wicked.” [Reported by ‘Abd ibn Humaid and authenticated by Al-Albani]

 

The Prophet (ﷺ) was invoking for someone that Allaah would grant him to offer the prayer of the pious people.

The first description of al-Abraar is that they get up for the night prayer.

Shaikh As-Sa’di (Rahimahullaah) said in his Tafseer: who are al-Abraar? “The ones whose hearts are pure because of what they contain of love and knowledge of Allaah and because of their good manners and having purified themselves physically by using their faculties in doing righteous deeds.” [Tayseer Al-Kareem]

 

 

16.  It is one of Al-Abwab al-Khair – gates of goodness.

 

*See Hadeeth by Mu’adh ibn Jabal (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) in point 17.

 

Ibn ‘Umar (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhuma) reported that the Messenger of Allaah (ﷺ) said: “Purify these bodies, and Allaah will purify you. There is not a slave who spends his night in a state of purification except that an angel spends the night with him (in his garment). And whenever the slave turns over during the night, the angel says: ‘O Allaah, forgive Your slave, for he went to sleep in a state of purification.’”

[At-Tabarani, Al-Mu`jam Al-Kabir and graded Hasan by Al-Albani]

 

عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، قَالَتْ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ “‏ مَنْ كَانَتْ لَهُ صَلاَةٌ صَلاَّهَا مِنَ اللَّيْلِ فَنَامَ عَنْهَا كَانَ ذَلِكَ صَدَقَةً تَصَدَّقَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ عَلَيْهِ وَكَتَبَ لَهُ أَجْرَ صَلاَتِهِ ‏“‏ ‏.

‘Aishah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anha) said: “The Messenger of Allaah (ﷺ) said: ‘Whoever has the habit of praying at night but he sleeps and misses it, that is a charity that Allaah (Ta’ala) has given to him, and the reward of his prayer will be recorded for him.‘” [Sunan An-Nasai’ no. 1786]

 

Before you sleep, have the intention that you want to or intend to get up for the night prayer, so that in case you don’t get up you will have the reward for your intention and your sleep will be like a Sadaqah for you from your Lord.

Also, the Prophet (ﷺ) used to advise people to pray the Witr prayer before the Fajr prayer.

عَنْ جَابِرٍ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ “‏ مَنْ خَافَ أَنْ لاَ يَقُومَ مِنْ آخِرِ اللَّيْلِ فَلْيُوتِرْ أَوَّلَهُ وَمَنْ طَمِعَ أَنْ يَقُومَ آخِرَهُ فَلْيُوتِرْ آخِرَ اللَّيْلِ فَإِنَّ صَلاَةَ آخِرِ اللَّيْلِ مَشْهُودَةٌ وَذَلِكَ أَفْضَلُ ‏“‏ ‏.

Jabir (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) reported Allaah’s Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: “If anyone is afraid that he may not get up in the latter part of the night, he should observe Witr in the first part of it; and if anyone is eager to get up in the last part of it, he should observe Witr at the end of the night, for prayer at the end of the night is witnessed (by the angels) and that is preferable.” [Sahih Muslim no. 755]

 

عَنْ أَبِي قَتَادَةَ عَنْ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ إِنَّكَ لَنْ تَدَعَ شَيْئًا لِلَّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ إِلَّا بَدَّلَكَ اللَّهُ بِهِ مَا هُوَ خَيْرٌ لَكَ مِنْهُ

Abu Qatadah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) reported that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Verily, you will never leave anything for the sake of Allaah Almighty but that Allaah will replace it with something better.” [Musnad Ahmad no. 22565 and graded Sahih by Al-Albani]

 

Some Comments on Night Prayer and Taraweeh Prayer

Taraweeh prayer in Ramadan is a Sunnah Mu’akaddah that is affirmed by the statements and actions of the Messenger of Allaah (ﷺ). He (ﷺ) used to encourage his Companions to perform Taraweeh during Ramadan without commanding them to do so.

The scholars agree upon its preference and excellence. Ibn Qudamah (Rahimahullaah) said in “Al-Mughni” that the Taraweeh is a Sunnah Mu’akaddah and the Prophet (ﷺ) was the first one to perform it as a Sunnah to be followed.

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ “‏ مَنْ قَامَ رَمَضَانَ إِيمَانًا وَاحْتِسَابًا غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ ‏“‏ ‏.‏

Abu Hurairah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that the Messenger of Allaah (ﷺ) said: “Whoever prays Qiyam during Ramadan, out of faith and in the hope of reward, will be forgiven his previous sins.” [Al-Bukhari no. 1142]

 

The Hadeeth means that if a Muslim offers the night prayer during Ramadan believing that it is the truth, ordained by Allaah, believing in what His Messenger (ﷺ) has said and done hoping to attain Allaah’s reward, performing it sincerely for the sake of Allaah, hoping to attain His pleasure and forgiveness, he will get the great reward that the Prophet (ﷺ) mentioned; the forgiveness of all his past sins. That is what it means when he (ﷺ) says إيمانا واحتسابا.

 

Sunan of Taraweeh

1-     Offering Taraweeh in congregation.

عَنْ أَبِي ذَرٍّ، قَالَ صُمْنَا مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَلَمْ يُصَلِّ بِنَا حَتَّى بَقِيَ سَبْعٌ مِنَ الشَّهْرِ فَقَامَ بِنَا حَتَّى ذَهَبَ ثُلُثُ اللَّيْلِ ثُمَّ لَمْ يَقُمْ بِنَا فِي السَّادِسَةِ وَقَامَ بِنَا فِي الْخَامِسَةِ حَتَّى ذَهَبَ شَطْرُ اللَّيْلِ فَقُلْنَا لَهُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ لَوْ نَفَّلْتَنَا بَقِيَّةَ لَيْلَتِنَا هَذِهِ فَقَالَ ‏ “‏ إِنَّهُ مَنْ قَامَ مَعَ الإِمَامِ حَتَّى يَنْصَرِفَ كُتِبَ لَهُ قِيَامُ لَيْلَةٍ ‏“‏ ‏.‏ ثُمَّ لَمْ يُصَلِّ بِنَا حَتَّى بَقِيَ ثَلاَثٌ مِنَ الشَّهْرِ وَصَلَّى بِنَا فِي الثَّالِثَةِ وَدَعَا أَهْلَهُ وَنِسَاءَهُ فَقَامَ بِنَا حَتَّى تَخَوَّفْنَا الْفَلاَحَ ‏.‏ قُلْتُ لَهُ وَمَا الْفَلاَحُ قَالَ السُّحُورُ ‏.

Abu Dharr (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated: “We fasted with the Prophet (ﷺ), so he did not pray (the night prayer) with us until seven (nights) of the month remained. Then he (ﷺ) led us in prayer until a third of the night had gone, then he did not lead us in prayer on the sixth. Then he led us in prayer on the fifth until half of the night had gone. We said to him: ‘O Messenger of Allaah! Wouldn’t you lead us in prayer for the remainder of the night?’ He said: ‘Indeed, whoever stands (praying) with the Imam until he finished, then it is recorded for him that he prayed the whole night.” Then he did not lead us in prayer until three (nights) of the month remained. Then he led us in prayer on the third and he called his family and his women to pray with us until we feared missing the Falah ” I (Jubair ibn Nufair) said to him: “What is the Falah?” He said: “The Suhur.”

[Jami’ At-Tirmidhi no. 806]

Another narration:

It is written for him Qiyam al-Layl as if he will get the reward of establishing the whole night with Qiyam, and that is if the person will continue the Salaatul-Taraweeh or the Qiyam with the Imam till the end, i.e. he finishes the Witr prayer with him.

So, this indicates that it is Sunnah to offer it in congregation.

Why did the Prophet (ﷺ) discontinue offering it in congregation?

أَنَّ عَائِشَةَ، أَخْبَرَتْهُ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم خَرَجَ ذَاتَ لَيْلَةٍ مِنْ جَوْفِ اللَّيْلِ، فَصَلَّى فِي الْمَسْجِدِ، فَصَلَّى رِجَالٌ بِصَلاَتِهِ فَأَصْبَحَ النَّاسُ فَتَحَدَّثُوا، فَاجْتَمَعَ أَكْثَرُ مِنْهُمْ فَصَلَّوْا مَعَهُ، فَأَصْبَحَ النَّاسُ فَتَحَدَّثُوا فَكَثُرَ أَهْلُ الْمَسْجِدِ مِنَ اللَّيْلَةِ الثَّالِثَةِ، فَخَرَجَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَصَلَّوْا بِصَلاَتِهِ، فَلَمَّا كَانَتِ اللَّيْلَةُ الرَّابِعَةُ عَجَزَ الْمَسْجِدُ عَنْ أَهْلِهِ حَتَّى خَرَجَ لِصَلاَةِ الصُّبْحِ، فَلَمَّا قَضَى الْفَجْرَ أَقْبَلَ عَلَى النَّاسِ، فَتَشَهَّدَ ثُمَّ قَالَ ‏ “‏ أَمَّا بَعْدُ فَإِنَّهُ لَمْ يَخْفَ عَلَىَّ مَكَانُكُمْ، لَكِنِّي خَشِيتُ أَنْ تُفْرَضَ عَلَيْكُمْ فَتَعْجِزُوا عَنْهَا ‏“‏‏.‏

‘Aishah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated: “Once in the middle of the night Allaah’s Messenger (ﷺ) went out and prayed in the mosque and some men prayed with him. The next morning the people spoke about it, so more people gathered and prayed with him (in the second night). They circulated the news in the morning, so on the third night the number of people increased greatly. Allaah’s Messenger (ﷺ) came out and they prayed behind him. On the fourth night the mosque was inundated (overcome) by people till it could not accommodate all of them. Allaah’s Messenger (ﷺ) came out only for the Fajr prayer, and when he finished the prayer he faced the people and recited the testimony (I testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allaah and that Muhammad is His Messenger), and then said: “Amma ba’du. Verily your presence (in the mosque at night) was not hidden from me, but I was afraid that this prayer (prayer of Tahajjud) might be made compulsory, and you might not be able to carry it out.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari no. 924]

 

These Ahadeeth indicate that the Messenger of Allaah (ﷺ) offered Taraweeh prayer in congregation with the Muslims but discontinued because he feared that it would become obligatory and that the people would fail to establish it. After his death the situation remained the same, with the people offering it individually, until ‘Umar (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) decided to gather the Muslims to pray Taraweeh in congregation again.

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ “‏ مَنْ قَامَ رَمَضَانَ إِيمَانًا وَاحْتِسَابًا غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ ‏“‏‏.‏ قَالَ ابْنُ شِهَابٍ فَتُوُفِّيَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَالأَمْرُ عَلَى ذَلِكَ، ثُمَّ

كَانَ الأَمْرُ عَلَى ذَلِكَ فِي خِلاَفَةِ أَبِي بَكْرٍ وَصَدْرًا مِنْ خِلاَفَةِ عُمَرَ ـ رضى الله عنهما.‏

 

 

Abu Hurairah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that Allaah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said: “Whoever prayed at night the whole month of Ramadan out of sincere faith and hoping for a reward from Allaah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven.” Ibn Shihab (a sub-narrator) said: “Allaah’s Messenger (ﷺ) died and the people continued observing that (i.e. Nawafil offered individually, not in congregation), and it remained as it was during the Caliphate of Abu Bakr (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) and in the early days of ‘Umar’s (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) Caliphate.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari no. 2009]

 

The Messenger of Allaah (ﷺ) ordered us to follow the rightly guided Khulafa: Abu Bakr, ‘Umar, ‘Uthmaan and ‘Ali (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhum) and offering the night prayer during Ramadan was a Sunnah practiced by them. Therefore, one should strive hard to establish the night prayer especially in the nights of Ramadan.

2-     Taraweeh is offered from after the obligatory Isha’ prayer and the two Rak’ah Sunnah of Isha’ until before the Adhan of Fajr.

3-     The number of Rak’at offered is 11 or 13, according to a Hadeeth by Ibn ‘Abbaas (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhuma) and ‘Aishah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anha).

عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، قَالَ كَانَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يُصَلِّي مِنَ اللَّيْلِ ثَلاَثَ عَشْرَةَ رَكْعَةً ‏.‏

Ibn ‘Abbaas (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhuma) narrated that the Prophet (ﷺ) would pray thirteen Rak’ah at night.” [Jami’ At-Tirmidhi no. 442]

 

عَنْ أَبِي سَلَمَةَ بْنِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ، أَنَّهُ سَأَلَ عَائِشَةَ ـ رضى الله عنها ـ كَيْفَ كَانَتْ صَلاَةُ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِي رَمَضَانَ فَقَالَتْ مَا كَانَ يَزِيدُ فِي رَمَضَانَ، وَلاَ فِي غَيْرِهَا عَلَى إِحْدَى عَشْرَةَ رَكْعَةً، يُصَلِّي أَرْبَعًا فَلاَ تَسَلْ عَنْ حُسْنِهِنَّ وَطُولِهِنَّ، ثُمَّ يُصَلِّي أَرْبَعًا فَلاَ تَسَلْ عَنْ حُسْنِهِنَّ وَطُولِهِنَّ، ثُمَّ يُصَلِّي ثَلاَثًا‏.‏ فَقُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ، أَتَنَامُ قَبْلَ أَنْ تُوتِرَ قَالَ ‏ “‏ يَا عَائِشَةُ إِنَّ عَيْنَىَّ تَنَامَانِ وَلاَ يَنَامُ قَلْبِي ‏“‏‏.‏

 

Abu Salama ibn `Abdur Rahmaan narrated that he asked `Aishah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anha): “How was the prayer of Allaah’s Messenger (ﷺ) in Ramadan?” She replied: “He did not pray more than eleven Rak`at in Ramadan or in any other month. He used to pray four Rak`at —- do not ask about their beauty and length—-and then he would pray four —-do not ask about their beauty and length —- and then he would pray three Rak`at (Witr).” She added, “I asked: ‘O Allaah’s Messenger (ﷺ)! Do you sleep before praying the Witr?’ He replied: ‘O `Aishah! My eyes sleep but my heart does not sleep.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari no. 2013 and Sahih Muslim]

 

Shaikh Ibn ‘Uthaimeen (Rahimahullaah) and Shaikh Ibn Baaz (Rahimahullaah) commented on this Hadeeth saying that this is the best and most perfect in reward. However, if one prays more than that, it is permissible according to the statement of the Prophet (ﷺ).

عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، أَنَّ رَجُلاً، سَأَلَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَنْ صَلاَةِ اللَّيْلِ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ “‏ صَلاَةُ اللَّيْلِ مَثْنَى مَثْنَى، فَإِذَا خَشِيَ أَحَدُكُمُ الصُّبْحَ صَلَّى رَكْعَةً وَاحِدَةً، تُوتِرُ لَهُ مَا قَدْ صَلَّى ‏“‏‏.‏

Ibn `Umar (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhuma) narrated: “Once a person asked Allaah’s Messenger (ﷺ) about the night prayer. Allaah’s Messenger (ﷺ) replied: ‘The night prayer is offered as two Rak`at followed by two Rak`at and so on, and if anyone is afraid of the approaching dawn (Fajr prayer) he should pray one Rak`ah and this will be a Witr for all the Rak`at which he has prayed before.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari no. 990]

 

عَنْ أَنَسٍ، قَالَ مَا كُنَّا نَشَاءُ أَنْ نَرَى رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِي اللَّيْلِ مُصَلِّيًا إِلاَّ رَأَيْنَاهُ وَلاَ نَشَاءُ أَنْ نَرَاهُ نَائِمًا إِلاَّ رَأَيْنَاهُ ‏.

It was narrated that Anas (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) said: “Every time we wanted to see the Messenger of Allaah (ﷺ) praying at night we saw him, and every time we wanted to see him sleeping, we saw him.” [Sunan An-Nasa’i no. 1627]

 

4-     The best time is during the last third of the night when He comes down to the lowest heaven, as that is when one will be nearest to Allaah. However, prayer at this time is not always easy. According to the ability of the Muslim, if one feels sleepy in the prayer, one should sleep.

عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، قَالَتْ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ “‏ إِذَا نَعَسَ أَحَدُكُمْ وَهُوَ يُصَلِّي فَلْيَرْقُدْ حَتَّى يَذْهَبَ عَنْهُ النَّوْمُ فَإِنَّ أَحَدَكُمْ إِذَا صَلَّى وَهُوَ يَنْعَسُ لَعَلَّهُ يَذْهَبُ يَسْتَغْفِرُ فَيَسُبَّ نَفْسَهُ ‏“‏ ‏.

‘Aishah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anha) narrated that Allaah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said: “When one of you is sleepy and he is performing Salaat, then let him lie down until the sleep is gone from him. For when one of you performs Salaat while he is sleepy, perhaps he wants to seek forgiveness, but he curses himself.” [Jami’ At-Tirmidhi no. 355]

 

Abu Hurairah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that the Messenger of Allaah (ﷺ) said that whoever finds difficulty in pronouncing the verses from the Qur’an accurately may not know what he is saying at night. If this is the case, then he should lay down to sleep.

5-     Begin praying Tahajjud with two short Rak’ah first.

وعن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه، أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم، قال‏:‏ ‏ “‏إذا قام أحدكم من الليل فليفتتح الصلاة بركعتين خفيفتين‏“

Abu Hurairah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) reported: The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “When one of you gets up at night to perform (Tahajjud) prayer, let him start Salaat with two short Rak’ah.“

[Muslim] [Riyad as-Saliheen no. 1179]

 

6-     There is a dispute among the scholars about whether standing for a long time in Qiyam is more virtuous than standing for a shorter time but with more Rak’at (i.e. more Sujood and Ruku’).

 

Ibn Taymiyyah (Rahimahullaah) said in his book, that prolonging the standing, bowing and prostration in the prayer is better than offering a larger number of standing, bowing and prostration.

Shaikh Ibn Baaz (Rahimahullaah) also said that some scholars prefer the first – prolonging the acts with a lesser number of Rak’at, while others prefer the second – offering many Rak’at.

Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) was moderate. If he prolonged the standing, then he prolonged the bowing and prostration. If he shortened the standing, accordingly he shortened the others. And his (ﷺ) way is the best way.  He [Bin Baaz (Rahimahullaah)] also mentioned that it is better for the Muslim to offer whatever he can afford, such that he does not feel bored. If he feels better to prolong, then he should prolong, and if he wishes to shorten, then he should shorten. He should utilize whichever way is more enjoyable for himself.

It is better for the Muslim to prolong the Qiyam with offering Sujood and Ruku’ profusely. In this way he can join the two matters together. The moderate prayer is the one wherein if one prolongs the Qiyam, then he prolongs the Sujood and Ruku’ and vice versa.

However, of course, no one can be like the Prophet (ﷺ); he used to endure much in worship, and he enjoyed it, offering prayer until his feet were swollen.

عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم دَخَلَ عَلَيْهَا وَعِنْدَهَا امْرَأَةٌ قَالَ ‏“‏ مَنْ هَذِهِ ‏“‏‏.‏ قَالَتْ فُلاَنَةُ‏.‏ تَذْكُرُ مِنْ صَلاَتِهَا‏.‏ قَالَ ‏“‏ مَهْ، عَلَيْكُمْ بِمَا تُطِيقُونَ، فَوَاللَّهِ لاَ يَمَلُّ اللَّهُ حَتَّى تَمَلُّوا ‏“‏‏.‏ وَكَانَ أَحَبَّ الدِّينِ إِلَيْهِ مَا دَامَ عَلَيْهِ صَاحِبُهُ‏.‏

 

‘Aishah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anha) narrated: “Once the Prophet (ﷺ) came while a woman was sitting with me. He said: “Who is she?” I replied: ‘She is so and so,’ and told him about her (excessive) praying. He said disapprovingly: ‘Do (good) deeds which is within your capacity (without being overtaxed), as Allaah does not get tired (of giving rewards) but (surely) you will get tired and the best deed (act of worship) in the sight of Allaah is that which is done regularly.’” [Sahih Al-Bukhari no. 43]

 

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ إِنَّ هَذَا الدِّينَ يُسْرٌ وَلَنْ يُشَادَّ الدِّينَ أَحَدٌ إِلَّا غَلَبَهُ فَسَدِّدُوا وَقَارِبُوا وَأَبْشِرُوا وَيَسِّرُوا وَاسْتَعِينُوا بِالْغَدْوَةِ وَالرَّوْحَةِ وَشَيْءٍ مِنْ الدَّلْجَةِ

 

It was narrated that Abu Hurairah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) said: “The Messenger of Allaah (ﷺ) said: ‘Indeed, this religion is easy, and no one will ever overburden himself in religion, except that it will overcome him. So seek what is appropriate, and come as close as you can, and receive the glad tidings (that you will be rewarded), and take it easy; and gain strength by worshipping in the mornings and afternoons, and during the last hours of the nights.‘”

[Sunan An-Nasa’i no. 5034]

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏“‏ لَنْ يُنَجِّيَ أَحَدًا مِنْكُمْ عَمَلُهُ ‏“‏‏.‏ قَالُوا وَلاَ أَنْتَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قَالَ ‏“‏ وَلاَ أَنَا، إِلاَّ أَنْ يَتَغَمَّدَنِي اللَّهُ بِرَحْمَةٍ، سَدِّدُوا وَقَارِبُوا، وَاغْدُوا وَرُوحُوا، وَشَىْءٌ مِنَ الدُّلْجَةِ‏.‏ وَالْقَصْدَ الْقَصْدَ تَبْلُغُوا ‏“‏‏.

Abu Hurairah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that Allaah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said: “The deeds of anyone of you will not save you (from the (Hell) Fire).” They said: “Even you (will not be saved by your deeds), O Allaah’s Messenger (ﷺ)?” He said: “No, even I (will not be saved) unless and until Allaah bestows His Mercy on me. Therefore, do good deeds properly, sincerely and moderately, and worship Allaah in the forenoon and in the afternoon and during a part of the night, and always adopt a middle, moderate, regular course whereby you will reach your target (Paradise). [Sahih Al-Bukhari no. 6463]

 

Shaikh Ibn Baaz (Rahimahullaah) said this indicates that it is better for us to adopt the moderate course and to not prolong the prayer which may become difficult for us, causing us to get tired and weary.

The believer offers his prayer and exerts his utmost and worships without difficulty, adopting the moderate course in all his affairs in order not to become tired or bored.

7-     The illegality of establishing the whole night with prayer.

Shaikh Al-Albani mentions in his book “Nadhm al-Faraa’id” that there is no evidence to show that the Messenger of Allaah (ﷺ) used to establish prayer the whole night from a little after Isha’ to a little before Fajr.

 

Sources:

Qtoof Daaniyah by Shaikh ‘Abdul-Haadi Wahbi

Salaat At-Tatawu’ by Shaikh Sa’eid al-Qahtaani