Enter Paradise with Peace – Virtues of Qiyam Al-Layl (Part 1)

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, he will be forgiven his previous sins.” [Sunan An-Nasa’i no. 1602]

Some benefits and virtues of Qiyam Al-Layl:

Qiyam Al-Layl is a sublime act of worship which Allaah loves, and a means of getting nearer to Allaah. It is a divine Shari’ah, a Sunnah of the Prophet (ﷺ) and a praiseworthy characteristic of a true believer.

Many people have forgotten about this great act of worship except during Ramadan; some don’t even perform it during Ramadan. If you attain Qiyam Al-Layl you have attained an abundant reward from Allaah; a huge success and a great bounty.

How many times has Allaah mentioned Qiyam Al-Layl in the Qur’an? How much goodness is aligned with it? How many promises are made to those who perform the night prayer? How much happiness is affixed to this act of worship?

One has to be diligent and strive hard to achieve this deed, not only during Ramadan, but also throughout the year.

1. Establishing the night prayer is one of the descriptions of a true believer, whom Allaah praises in Surah As-Sajdah.

32:16 تَتَجَافَىٰ جُنُوبُهُمْ عَنِ الْمَضَاجِعِ يَدْعُونَ رَبَّهُمْ خَوْفًا وَطَمَعًا وَمِمَّا رَزَقْنَاهُمْ يُنْفِقُونَ

They arise from [their] beds; they supplicate their Lord in fear and aspiration, and they spend from what We have provided them,

32:17 فَلَا تَعْلَمُ نَفْسٌ مَا أُخْفِيَ لَهُمْ مِنْ قُرَّةِ أَعْيُنٍ جَزَاءً بِمَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ

And no soul knows what has been hidden for them of comfort for eyes as reward for what they used to do.

These verses tell us about those believers, who when the rest of the people are sleeping, they get up from their beds to perform Qiyam Al-Layl. They prefer talking to and invoking Allaah, hoping for His reward, wanting to be close to Him, more than the pleasure of sleeping.

What gets them out of their beds at that time of night? Fear of the punishment of the Hellfire. They also covet and desire the reward of Allaah. Therefore, they abandon the pleasure of sleeping in their warm beds out of fear of the Hereafter. And what has Allaah prepared for them? The Prophet (ﷺ) said in a Hadith Qudsi:

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ “‏ قَالَ اللَّهُ أَعْدَدْتُ لِعِبَادِي الصَّالِحِينَ مَا لاَ عَيْنٌ رَأَتْ، وَلاَ أُذُنٌ سَمِعَتْ، وَلاَ خَطَرَ عَلَى قَلْبِ بَشَرٍ ‏“‏‏.‏

Abu Hurairah (Radia-Allaahu ’anhu) narrated that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Allaah said: ‘I have prepared for My righteous slaves (such excellent things) as no eye has ever seen, nor an ear has ever heard, nor a human heart can ever think of.'” [Sahih Al-Bukhari no. 7498]

المغيرة بن شعبة رضي الله عنه عن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال‏:‏ ‏ “‏سأل موسى صلى الله عليه وسلم ربه، ما أدنى أهل الجنة منزلة ‏؟‏ قال‏:‏ هو رجل يجيء بعد ما أدخل أهل الجنة-الجنة، فيقال له ‏:‏ ادخل الجنة، فيقول‏:‏ أي رب كيف وقد نزل الناس منازلهم، وأخذوا أخذاتهم‏؟‏ فيقول له‏:‏ أترضى أن يكون لك مثل ملك ملك من ملوك الدنيا‏؟‏ فيقول‏:‏ رضيت رب فيقول‏:‏ لك ذلك ومثله ومثله ومثله ومثله، فيقول في الخامسة‏:‏ رضيت يا رب فيقول‏:‏ هذا لك وعشرة أمثاله، ولك ما اشتهيت نفسك، ولذت عينك، فيقول‏:‏ رضيت رب، قال رب فأعلاهم منزلة‏؟‏ قال‏:‏ أولئك الذين أردت؛ غرست كرامتهم بيدي، وختمت عليها، فلم تر عين، ولم تسمع أذن، ولم يخطر على قلب بشر‏“

Al-Mughirah ibn Shu’bah (Radia-Allaahu ’anhu) said:

The Messenger of Allaah (ﷺ) said: “Musa [Moses (‘Alayhis-salaam)] asked his Rabb: ‘Who amongst the inhabitants of Jannah will be the lowest in rank?’ He (Allaah) said: ‘It will be a person who will be admitted into Jannah last of all when all the dwellers of Jannah have entered Jannah. It will be said to him: Enter Jannah. But he will say: O my Rabb! How should I enter while the people have settled in their apartments and taken their shares? It will be said to him: Will you be satisfied and pleased if you have a kingdom like that of a monarch of the world? He will say: I will be content, my Rabb. Allaah will say: For you is that, and like that and like that and like that and like that. He will say at the fifth time: I am well-pleased, my Rabb. Allaah will say: It is for you and ten times more like it. You will have whatever your soul desires and whatever your eyes could delight in. He will say: I am well-pleased, my Rabb.’ Musa (‘Alayhis-salaam) said: ‘Who will be of the highest rank in Jannah.’ Allaah said: ‘They are those whom I choose, and I establish their honor with My Own Hand. I attest with My Seal that they will be blessed with such bounties as no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no human mind has perceived.”‘ [Muslim]

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ “‏ مَا رَأَيْتُ مِثْلَ النَّارِ نَامَ هَارِبُهَا وَلاَ مِثْلَ الْجَنَّةِ نَامَ طَالِبُهَا ‏“

Abu Hurairah (Radia-Allaahu ’anhu) narrated that the Messenger of Allaah (ﷺ) said: “I have not seen the likes of the Fire in which the one who runs from it sleeps, nor the likes of Paradise in which the one who seeks it sleeps.” [Jami’ At-Tirmidhi and Al-Albani graded it Hasan li ghairihi]

So, it is strange to see a believer sleeping at this time of the night. The seeker of Paradise and the runner from the Hellfire will not enjoy his sleep; he will never feel at peace in his heart, and he will not enjoy the warmness of his soft bed. Rather he will only feel delighted and pleased with this life when he takes his first step into Paradise.

2. Qiyam Al-Layl is one of the characteristics of ‘عباد الرحمن’ – the slaves of the Most Beneficent,

Allaah Ar-Rahmaan. Allaah describes them in Surah Al-Furqaan.

25:64 – وَالَّذِينَ يَبِيتُونَ لِرَبِّهِمْ سُجَّدًا وَقِيَامًا

And those who spend [part of] the night before their Lord prostrating and standing [in prayer]

This is a great description of عباد الرحمان. The act of worship of spending the nights praying to Allaah, standing, bowing, prostrating, makes them deserving of the highest eternal delights of Paradise. They established their nights in worship, remembering Him, reciting the Qur’an, the greatest Speech, the Speech of Allaah. They are awake when the people are asleep, alert when the people are heedless. These are the people Allaah will reward abundantly on the Day of Judgment.

3. It is one of the descriptions of Al-Muhsineen (good doers) whom Allaah praised in Surah Adh-Dhariyaat.

51:15 إِنَّ الْمُتَّقِينَ فِي جَنَّاتٍ وَعُيُونٍ

Indeed, the righteous will be among gardens and springs,

51:16 آخِذِينَ مَا آتَاهُمْ رَبُّهُمْ ۚ إِنَّهُمْ كَانُوا قَبْلَ ذَٰلِكَ مُحْسِنِينَ –

Accepting what their Lord has given them. Indeed, they were before that, doers of good.

51:17 كَانُوا قَلِيلًا مِّنَ اللَّيْلِ مَا يَهْجَعُونَ

They used to sleep but little of the night,

Allaah is praising those who stand in the night prayer. Allaah is encouraging us, urging us to stand in prayer remembering Him, invoking Him, and asking forgiveness from Him. It is a great and very sublime characteristic. When the people hear the characteristics and virtues, why do they not wake up for Qiyam Al-Layl? Where are those who find delight in standing before Allaah? Where are those who will make Tahajjud? Allaah mentions that they used to sleep but little by night, invoking Him.

4. It is one of the descriptions of Al-Muttaqeen (pious)

Allaah mentions in Surah Aal-Imran: 3:(15-17)

قُلْ أَؤُنَبِّئُكُم بِخَيْرٍ مِّن ذَٰلِكُمْ ۚ لِلَّذِينَ اتَّقَوْا عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ جَنَّاتٌ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا وَأَزْوَاجٌ مُّطَهَّرَةٌ وَرِضْوَانٌ مِّنَ اللَّهِ ۗ وَاللَّهُ بَصِيرٌ بِالْعِبَادِ – 3:15

Say: “Shall I inform you of [something] better than that? For those who fear Allaah will be Gardens in the presence of their Lord, beneath which rivers flow, wherein they abide eternally, and purified spouses and approval from Allaah. And Allaah is Seeing of [His] servants –

الَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا إِنَّنَا آمَنَّا فَاغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ – 3:16

Those who say: “Our Lord, indeed we have believed, so forgive us our sins and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.”

الصَّابِرِينَ وَالصَّادِقِينَ وَالْقَانِتِينَ وَالْمُنفِقِينَ وَالْمُسْتَغْفِرِينَ بِالْأَسْحَارِ – 3:17

The patient, the true, the obedient, those who spend [in the way of Allaah], and those who seek forgiveness before dawn.

Those who stand in the night prayer and ask Allaah for forgiveness, what does Allaah have in store for them? Those whom, in the Dunya used to leave their spouses in their beds, preferring to talk to Allaah; Allaah recompenses them by giving them purified spouses in Paradise. This person who has left his bed and his wife, Allaah compensated him with abundant good.

وَسَمِعْتُ أَنَسَ بْنَ مَالِكٍ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ …………………وَلَوْ أَنَّ امْرَأَةً مِنْ أَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ اطَّلَعَتْ إِلَى أَهْلِ الأَرْضِ لأَضَاءَتْ مَا بَيْنَهُمَا وَلَمَلأَتْهُ رِيحًا، وَلَنَصِيفُهَا عَلَى رَأْسِهَا خَيْرٌ مِنَ الدُّنْيَا وَمَا فِيهَا ‏“‏‏.‏

It was narrated that Anas (Radia-Allaahu ’anhu) said: The Messenger of Allaah (ﷺ) said: “……………and if a woman from among the people of Paradise were to look out over the earth, she would illuminate everything that is in between them, and would fill everything that is in between them with fragrance. And the scarf on her head is better than this world and everything in it.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari no. 2796]

Therefore, one should be taking the booty of the night prayer for the Hereafter.

5. It is one of the descriptions of Ulul-Albaab – the mindful people or the people of understanding.

Allaah mentions them in Surah Az-Zumar:

أَمَّنْ هُوَ قَانِتٌ آنَاءَ اللَّيْلِ سَاجِدًا وَقَائِمًا يَحْذَرُ الْآخِرَةَ وَيَرْجُو رَحْمَةَ رَبِّهِ ۗ قُلْ هَلْ يَسْتَوِي الَّذِينَ يَعْلَمُونَ وَالَّذِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ ۗ إِنَّمَا يَتَذَكَّرُ أُولُو الْأَلْبَابِ – 39:9

Is one who is devoutly obedient during periods of the night, prostrating and standing [in prayer], fearing the Hereafter and hoping for the mercy of his Lord, [like one who does not]? Say: “Are those who know equal to those who do not know?” Only they will remember [who are] people of understanding.

There is the one who knows about Allaah’s greatness, fears Him, has Taqwa and is always trying to carry out the command of Allaah in order to attain Allaah’s pleasure; standing in front of Allaah at night invoking him, crying to him, hoping Allaah will show mercy to him, afraid of the Hereafter. Then there is the one who is totally heedless, unaware of what will happen on the Day of Judgment. He who has wasted his nights in amusements or sins or deep sleep because he is working the whole day for the Dunya and has no time for Allaah. Are these two people equal? Shaikh As-Sa’di (Rahimahullaah) said about them, that they will never be equal; like the day and night will never be equal. Like the brightness and darkness will never be equal. Like water and fire will never be equal.

There are beautiful moments, when a person will be praying in the middle of the night talking to his Lord, believing that Allaah hears and responds to him, and he is complaining to Him and asking Him of the good of this Dunya and of the Aakhirah while everyone else is in deep sleep. Those are really great moments and are extremely heavy on the scale of the believer on the Day of Judgment.

6. It is one of the means of nearness to Allaah.

أَبَا أُمَامَةَ، رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ يَقُولُ حَدَّثَنِي عَمْرُو بْنُ عَبَسَةَ، أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ ‏ “‏ أَقْرَبُ مَا يَكُونُ الرَّبُّ مِنَ الْعَبْدِ فِي جَوْفِ اللَّيْلِ الآخِرِ فَإِنِ اسْتَطَعْتَ أَنْ تَكُونَ مِمَّنْ يَذْكُرُ اللَّهَ فِي تِلْكَ السَّاعَةِ فَكُنْ ‏“‏ ‏.‏

Abu Umamah (Radia-Allaahu ’anhu) said: `Amr ibn `Abasah reported to me that he heard the Prophet (ﷺ) say: “The closest that the Lord is to a worshipper is during the last part of the night, so if you are able to be of those who remember Allaah in that hour, then do so.” [Jami’ At-Tirmidhi no. 3579]

Allaah will be near to the worshipper who remembers Him at that time, which in the middle of the last half of the night. Closeness to Allaah is the utmost goal that every believer seeks. This is the last of the wishes that the believers are hoping to attain. Being close to Allaah is the delight of the hearts and the eyes. The most successful and happy person is he who will take his great share in that part of the night.

7. It is one of the means of exaltedness in the Dunya and the Aakhirah.

عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ سَعْدٍ قَالَ جَاءَ جِبْرِيلُ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فَقَالَ يَا مُحَمَّدُ عِشْ مَا شِئْتَ فَإِنَّكَ مَيِّتٌ وَاعْمَلْ مَا شِئْتَ فَإِنَّكَ مَجْزِيٌّ بِهِ وَأَحْبِبْ مَنْ شِئْتَ فَإِنَّكَ مُفَارِقُهُ وَاعْلَمْ أَنَّ شَرَفَ الْمُؤْمِنِ قِيَامُ اللَّيْلِ وَعِزَّهُ اسْتِغْنَاؤُهُ عَنِ النَّاسِ

Sahl ibn Sa’d (Radia-Allaahu ’anhu) reported that the Angel Jibril [Gabriel (‘Alayhis-salaam)] came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and said: “O Muhammad, live as you wish, for you will die. Work as you wish, for you will be repaid accordingly. Love whomever you wish, for you will be separated. Know that the nobility of the believer is in prayer at night, and his honor is in his independence of the people.” [Al Mu’jam Al-Awsat no. 4410]

It indicates that Qiyam Al-Layl is a means of exaltedness and elevation of a person. High status with Allaah is when a person stands in prayer with submission to Allaah. When he stands in this state, Allaah will honor, elevate and exalt him, and elevate his rank in Jannah. This is a great glad tiding and a great virtue for the believer in order to take his share of Qiyam Al-Layl every night.

8. Ibn Al-Qayyim (Rahimahullaah) said in his book “Zaad Al Ma’ad” that it is a means of making the soul good and a means of expansion of the breast. It is one of the most beneficial matters to keep a person’s body healthy and to keep the chronic diseases away from him, and it is one of the means of the soul being energetic.

Based on the Hadith reported by Al-Bukhari:

عن أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ “‏ يَعْقِدُ الشَّيْطَانُ عَلَى قَافِيَةِ رَأْسِ أَحَدِكُمْ إِذَا هُوَ نَامَ ثَلاَثَ عُقَدٍ، يَضْرِبُ كُلَّ عُقْدَةٍ مَكَانَهَا عَلَيْكَ لَيْلٌ طَوِيلٌ فَارْقُدْ‏.‏ فَإِنِ اسْتَيْقَظَ فَذَكَرَ اللَّهَ انْحَلَّتْ عُقْدَةٌ، فَإِنْ تَوَضَّأَ انْحَلَّتْ عُقْدَةٌ، فَإِنْ صَلَّى انْحَلَّتْ عُقَدُهُ كُلُّهَا، فَأَصْبَحَ نَشِيطًا طَيِّبَ النَّفْسِ، وَإِلاَّ أَصْبَحَ خَبِيثَ النَّفْسِ كَسْلاَنَ ‏“‏‏.‏.

Abu Hurairah (Radia-Allaahu ’anhu) narrated that Allaah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said: “During your sleep, Satan knots (ties) three knots at the back of the head of each of you, and he breathes the following words at each knot: ‘The night is, long, so keep on sleeping.’ If that person wakes up and celebrates the praises of Allaah, then one knot is undone, and when he performs ablution the second knot is undone, and when he prays, all the knots are undone, and he gets up in the morning lively and in good spirits, otherwise he gets up in low spirits and lethargic.“

The Shaytaan’s intent by doing that is to stop us from waking up for Qiyam Al-Layl, to endear sleep to us and to whisper to us throughout the night. He will whisper that the night is still long and that there is more time and to take your share of sleep and that you have more time for Qiyam. He is disheartening the believer who is sleeping, from waking up for the night prayer.

The knots that are mentioned in the Hadith are real knots as the Prophet (ﷺ) said in a Hadith that Al-Albani classified as Sahih.

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ ‏ “‏ يَعْقِدُ الشَّيْطَانُ عَلَى قَافِيَةِ رَأْسِ أَحَدِكُمْ بِاللَّيْلِ بِحَبْلٍ فِيهِ ثَلاَثُ عُقَدٍ فَإِنِ اسْتَيْقَظَ فَذَكَرَ اللَّهَ انْحَلَّتْ عُقْدَةٌ فَإِذَا قَامَ فَتَوَضَّأَ انْحَلَّتْ عُقْدَةٌ فَإِذَا قَامَ إِلَى الصَّلاَةِ انْحَلَّتْ عُقَدُهُ كُلُّهَا فَيُصْبِحُ نَشِيطًا طَيِّبَ النَّفْسِ قَدْ أَصَابَ خَيْرًا وَإِنْ لَمْ يَفْعَلْ أَصْبَحَ كَسِلاً خَبِيثَ النَّفْسِ لَمْ يُصِبْ خَيْرًا ‏“‏ ‏.‏

It was narrated that Abu Hurairah (Radia-Allaahu ’anhu) said: “The Messenger of Allaah (ﷺ) said: ‘At night, Satan ties a rope to the nape of the neck of anyone of you, in which there are three knots. If he wakes up and remembers Allaah, one knot is untied. If he performs ablution, another knot is untied, and if he gets up to pray, all the knots are untied. So he wakes up energetic and cheerful; he has earned something good. But if he does not do that, he wakes up bad-tempered, having earned nothing good.” [Sunan Ibn Majah no. 1329]

Notice that in the Hadith, whoever does not join these three important matters will wake up in the morning not in a good mood nor with a good heart. These three things are Dhikr (remembrance of Allaah), Wudu’ (ablution) and Salaat (prayer). If a person doesn’t do at least one of these three things, it’s like the Shaytaan has urinated in his ear while he was asleep.

عن عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ ذُكِرَ عِنْدَ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم رَجُلٌ نَامَ لَيْلَهُ حَتَّى أَصْبَحَ، قَالَ ‏ “‏ ذَاكَ رَجُلٌ بَالَ الشَّيْطَانُ فِي أُذُنَيْهِ ـ أَوْ قَالَ ـ فِي أُذُنِهِ ‏“‏‏.‏

`Abdullaah narrated: It was mentioned before the Prophet (ﷺ), that there was a man who slept the night till morning (after sunrise). The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “He is a man in whose ears (or ear) Satan had urinated.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari no. 3270]

It is important to be keen to do these things when you get up in the night. It is more beneficial to you and more beloved to Allaah because you will be showing enmity to the Shaytaan. The Shaytaan tries his best with all the means and plots that he has, to drive you away from Qiyam Al-Layl, to put a barrier between you and talking to Allaah because he knows the importance of Qiyam Al-Layl, about its virtue and abundant reward with Allaah.

9. It is a means of attaining the love of Allaah.

Allaah’s love is the highest thing that believer wishes to attain. A believer asks Allaah for His love because they know that if Allaah loves a slave, He will be his  hearing with which he will hear, his eyesight with which he will see, his hand with which he will grip, and his feet with which he will walk. If he were to ask Allaah, surely, He will give him, if he seeks the protection of Allaah, surely, He will give him His protection. That is for those who have the love of Allaah. There are many proofs and evidences of ways to attain Allaah’s love:

Abu Ad-Dardaa’ (Radia-Allaahu ’anhu) narrated that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: there are 3 persons whom Allaah loves and laughs at (i.e. their situation) and gives them the glad tidings. From among these 3 people is a man who has a beautiful wife and a very comfortable bed and he leaves all that to get up and offer Qiyam Al-Layl. He leaves his desires to (Hadith Qudsi) ‘remember Me, to call unto Me, although if he wishes, he could sleep.’ Therefore, Allaah recompenses them (the 3) with His love and Allaah will laugh at them. [Reported by Al-Baihaqi and authenticated by Al-Albani in As-Saheeha no. 3478]

As is mentioned in a Hadith, if Allaah laughs at a slave in the Dunya, then there will be no recompense for that slave on the Day of Judgment, rather he will enter Paradise without recompense. He will enter Paradise like the 70,000 who will enter without Hisab (accounting).

To attain Allaah’s love is a great favor and bounty and has a very high degree with Allaah.

10. It is a means of protection from the Fitan – from the trials and afflictions.

أن أُمَّ سَلَمَةَ، زَوْجَ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَتِ اسْتَيْقَظَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم لَيْلَةً فَزِعًا يَقُولُ ‏ “‏ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ مَاذَا أَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ مِنَ الْخَزَائِنِ وَمَاذَا أُنْزِلَ مِنَ الْفِتَنِ، مَنْ يُوقِظُ صَوَاحِبَ الْحُجُرَاتِ ـ يُرِيدُ أَزْوَاجَهُ ـ لِكَىْ يُصَلِّينَ، رُبَّ كَاسِيَةٍ فِي الدُّنْيَا، عَارِيَةٍ فِي الآخِرَةِ ‏“‏‏.‏

Umm Salama (the wife of the Prophet (ﷺ) narrated that Allaah’s Messenger (ﷺ) woke up one night in a state of terror and said: “Subhan Allaah, how many treasures Allaah has sent down! And how many afflictions have been sent down! Who will go and wake up the lady dwellers (wives of the Prophet) of these rooms (for prayers)?” He meant his wives, so that they might pray. He added: “A well-dressed (soul) in this world may be naked in the Hereafter.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari 7069]

This Hadith shows that the Prophet (ﷺ) urged his wives to get up at night and offer the night prayer in order to attain Allaah’s mercy and protection from afflictions and torment.

Therefore, it is a very important matter to take care of. Offering the night prayer gives protection from afflictions in times like now which are full of Fitan. Offering the night prayer in times of Fitan has a great impact and sublime benefits for those who perform it regularly. Reason being, during the times of Fitan, the people are disturbed, and their hearts are disturbed, and they don’t know what to do. So, the Muslim needs to strengthen his relationship with Allaah. He needs something to calm him down and remove the fear and disturbance from his heart, to strengthen his soul, expand his breast and keep his feet firm. He needs to be strong against the whispers of the Shaytaan.

It is advised for the believer to take care of Qiyam Al-Layl, especially during the times of trials, in order for him to enter the morning while he is energetic and having a good heart, hoping for good, being optimistic. This is not like the person who will be disturbed mentally and sick because of the Fitan.

11. It is a means of attaining the boasting of the angels.

In a Hadith mentioned by Ahmad, (the Hadeeth states what it means that) Allaah wonders at two men: the man who gets up energetically, leaving his bed from among his family and what he loves, to pray to Him. So our Lord will say: “O my angels, look at this slave of mine who left his bed from among his beloved ones and family (meaning his wife) in order to offer the Salaat to Me, desiring that which is Me and fearing that what I have.” And the other is a man who went onto the battlefield and his fellows (comrades) were defeated. He knows that there is no use to flee from the battlefield, so instead of running away with them (his comrades), he goes back onto the battlefield and he fights until he is killed. Allaah will say to his angels: “Look at this, my slave returns to the battlefield desiring what I have and fearing the Hellfire until he is killed as a martyr.” [Saheeh At-Targheeb wat-Taeheeb no. 630, and Al-Albaani graded it Hasan li Ghairihi]

This indicates how hastily a person should get up for the night prayer, i.e. not in laziness with a heavy heart. That is because he is cautious, afraid of missing the virtue of Qiyam Al-Layl.

12. It is a means of attaining Paradise and the Pleasure of Allaah.

From among the best fruits that the Mutahjjid (those who stand in prayer after their sleep) gets from the fruit is a gift without an end.

In another Hadith:

عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ سَلاَمٍ، قَالَ لَمَّا قَدِمَ النَّبِيُّ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ الْمَدِينَةَ انْجَفَلَ النَّاسُ قِبَلَهُ وَقِيلَ قَدْ قَدِمَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ قَدْ قَدِمَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ قَدْ قَدِمَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ‏.‏ ثَلاَثًا فَجِئْتُ فِي النَّاسِ لأَنْظُرَ فَلَمَّا تَبَيَّنْتُ وَجْهَهُ عَرَفْتُ أَنَّ وَجْهَهُ لَيْسَ بِوَجْهِ كَذَّابٍ فَكَانَ أَوَّلَ شَىْءٍ سَمِعْتُهُ تَكَلَّمَ بِهِ أَنْ قَالَ ‏ “‏ يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ أَفْشُوا السَّلاَمَ وَأَطْعِمُوا الطَّعَامَ وَصِلُوا الأَرْحَامَ وَصَلُّوا بِاللَّيْلِ وَالنَّاسُ نِيَامٌ تَدْخُلُوا الْجَنَّةَ بِسَلاَمٍ ‏“‏ ‏

 ‘Abdullaah ibn Salam (Radia-Allaahu ’anhu) said: “When the Prophet (ﷺ) came to Al-Madinah, the people rushed to meet him, and it was said: ‘The Messenger of Allaah (ﷺ) has come! The Messenger of Allaah (ﷺ) has come! The Messenger of Allaah (ﷺ) has come!’ Three times. I came with the people to see him, and when I saw his face clearly, I knew that his face was not the face of a liar. The first thing I heard him say was when he said: ‘O people! Spread (the greeting of) Salaam, feed others, uphold the ties of kinship, pray during the night when people are sleeping, and you will enter Paradise with Salaam.”  [At-Tirmidhi no. 2485 and Al-Albani said is Sahih in Sahih Targeeb wat Tarheeb]

This is a Sahih Hadith that indicates that it is one of the sublime acts of nearness to perform the night prayer in order to enter Paradise in peace. When the Prophet (ﷺ) said: ‘Enter Paradise with peace,’ it means that there will be no punishment and no torment before it, that’s the meaning of Salaam.

Taraweeh Prayer

Taraweeh – is the voluntary night prayer offered in Ramadan. It is called Taraweeh because they used to take rest after every 4 Rak’ah (after every 2 Tasleem) as is mentioned in لسان العرب. Taraweeh is the same as Qiyam Ramadan – when you offer the night prayer in the earlier part of the night it is called Taraweeh and when it is offered in the later part of the night it is called Qiyam Al-Layl.

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 تسأل 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 —- don’t ask about their beauty and length—-and then he would pray four —- don’t 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]

In Shar Al-Mumtie, Shaikh Ibn ‘Uthaimeen (Rahimahullaah) said her (`Aishah’s) statement, that he (ﷺ) used to offer 4, then 4, then 3 indicates that there was a gap or separation between the first 4, the next 4 and the last 3 by making Tasleem after every 2 Rak’ah.

In another narration by Muslim, Aishah (Radia-Allaahu ’anha) said that Allaah’s Messenger (ﷺ) used to offer 11 Rak’at in the night prayer and offer one Rak’ah in conclusion of whatever was offered prior to it.

In another narration by Muslim, she said he used to make Tasleem after every 2 Rak’ah and then offer 1 Rak’ah Witr.

Taraweeh prayer is a Sunnah Mu’akkadah which means that he (ﷺ) used to offer the night prayer and he used to adhere to it perpetually, and he affirmed it by his statements and by his actions.

قال‏:‏ كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، يرغب في قيام رمضان من غير أن يأمرهم فيه بعزيمة، فيقول‏:‏ ‏ “‏من قام رمضان إيمانًا واحتسابًا غفر له ما تقدم من ذنبه‏“‏ ‏.

Abu Hurairah (Radia-Allaahu ’anhu) reported: The Messenger of Allaah (ﷺ) used to urge (the people) to perform (optional Taraweeh) prayer at night during the month of Ramadan. He did not order them or make it obligatory on them. He (ﷺ) said: “Whosoever performs (optional Taraweeh) prayers at night during the month of Ramadan, with Faith and in the hope of receiving Allaah’s reward, will have his past sins forgiven.” [Sahih Muslim]

Source:

Tadhkeer Al-Anaam bi Fadhli Salaatil-Qiyam, by Abdul-Haadi Wahbi