WaystohelponeselfprayQiyamalLayl

PraisebetoAllaah. Therearemanythingsthatonecandotohelponeselfprayqiyaamallayl,amongwhichare thefollowing: 1BeingsinceretowardsAllaah,asHehascommandedustobesinceretowardsHimand noneotherinourdeeds.Hetellsus(interpretationofthemeaning):Andtheywere commandednot,butthattheyshouldworshipAllaah,andworshipnonebutHimAlone [alBayyinah98:5].ThemoresincereapersonistowardsAllaah,themorehewillbeguided andhelpedtoobeyAllaahanddrawclosertoHim.UbayyibnKab(mayAllaahbepleased withhim)reportedthattheProphet(peaceandblessingsofAllaahbeuponhim)said:Give gladtidingstothisummahofsplendour,religion,highrank,victoryandprevalenceonearth. WhoeverdoesthedeedsoftheHereaftertogainsomeworldlybenefit,willhavenoshareof theHereafter.(ReportedbyAhmad.SaheehalJaami,2825).MutarrafibnAbdAllaahibn alShakheersaid:Thegoodnessofadeedisrelatedtothegoodnessoftheheart,andthe goodnessoftheheartisrelatedtothegoodnessoftheintention.IbnalQayyim(may Allaahhavemercyonhim)said:ThedegreetowhichapersonishelpedandaidedbyAllaah dependsonthedegreeofhisintention,drive,aimandhopes.HelpfromAllaahcomesto peopleinproportiontotheirdrive,intention,hopesandfears,andfailurecomestothemin likemanner. Thereforethesalafwereverykeentoconcealtheiractsofworshipsuchasqiyaamallayl.A manaskedTameemibnAwsalDaari(mayAllaahbepleasedwithhim),Howdoyouprayat night?Hegotveryangryandsaid,ByAllaah,onerakahthatIprayinsecretinthesmall hoursofthenightismorebelovedtomethanprayingthewholenightlongandthentelling peopleaboutit.AyyoobalSakhtiyaaniusedtospendtheentirenightinprayer,thenwhen dawnapproached,hewouldgobacktobedandliedown,andwhendawncame,hewould raisehisvoiceasifhehadjustwokenup. 2ThepersonwhowantstoprayqiyaamallaylshouldrealizethatAllaahiscallinghimto qiyaam.WhentheslaverealizesthathisMaster,Whohasnoneedofpeoplesworship,is callinghimtodothis,hewillrespond.Allaahsays(interpretationofthemeaning):Oyou wrappedinyourgarments(i.e.,ProphetMuhammad)!Stand(topray)allnight,excepta little.Halfofit,oralittlelessthanthat,oralittlemore;andrecitetheQuraan(aloud)ina slow,(pleasanttoneand)style.[alMuzzammil73:14]. SadibnHishaamibnAamirsaidtoAaishah(mayAllaahbepleasedwithher):Tellme abouthowtheMessengerofAllaah(peaceandblessingsofAllaahbeuponhim)prayed qiyaam.Shesaid:HaveyounotreadYaaayyuhalmuzzammil(Oyouwrappedinyour garments!)?Hesaid,Ofcourse.Shesaid:Allaah,mayHebeexaltedandglorified,made qiyaamobligatoryatthebeginningofthissoorah,sotheProphet(peaceandblessingsof

Allaahbeuponhim)andhiscompanionsprayedqiyaamforayear,andAllaahwithheldthe endofthissoorahfortwelvemonths,untilHerevealedsomethingattheendofthissoorah tomakethingseasier,soqiyaamallaylbecamevoluntaryafterithadbeenobligatory. (ReportedbyMuslim). 3Knowingthevirtuesofqiyaamallayl.Whoeverknowsthevirtuesofthisactofworship willbekeentotalktoAllaah,mayHebeexalted,andtostandbeforeHimatthattime. AmongthereportsthatdescribethevirtuesofthisactofworshipisthehadeethofAbu Hurayrah(mayAllaahbepleasedwithhim),inwhichtheProphet(peaceandblessingsof Allaahbeuponhim)said:Thebestofprayersaftertheprescribedprayersisprayerinthe depthsofthenight,andthebestoffastingafterthemonthofRamadaanisfastingthe monthofAllaah,Muharram.(reportedbyMuslim). AbdAllaahibnAmr(mayAllaahbepleasedwiththemboth)reportedthattheProphet (peaceandblessingsofAllaahbeuponhim)said:ThemostbelovedofprayertoAllaahis theprayerofDawood,andthemostbelovedoffaststoAllaahisthefastofDawood.He usedtosleepforhalfofthenight,thengetupandprayforathirdofthenight,thensleep forasixthofthenight,andheusedtofasteveryotherday.(Agreedupon). AmribnAbsahreportedthattheProphet(peaceandblessingsofAllaahbeuponhim)said: TheclosestthattheLordistoHisslaveisinthelaterpartofthenight,soifyoucanbeone ofthosewhorememberAllaahatthattime,thendoso.(ReportedbyalTirmidhiandal Nisaa'i). AccordingtoahadeethnarratedbyIbnMasood(mayAllaahbepleasedwithhim),the Prophet(peaceandblessingsofAllaahbeuponhim)said:OurLordadmirestwomen:a manwholeaveshismattressandcover,andslipsawayfromhiswifeandlover,togoand pray.Allaahsays,OMyangels,lookatMyslave.Hehaslefthismattressandcoverand slippedawayfromhisloverandwifetopray,outofhopeforwhatiswithMeandoutoffear ofwhatiswithMe.(ReportedbyAhmad.Itisahasanreport.SaheehalTargheeb,258). QiyaamalLaylexpelsforgetfulnessfromtheheart,asisstatedinthehadeethnarratedby AbdAllaahibnAmribnalAas(mayAllaahbepleasedwiththemboth),inwhichthe Prophet(peaceandblessingsofAllaahbeuponhim)said:Whoeverrecitestenaayaatin qiyaamwillnotberecordedasoneoftheforgetful.Whoeverrecitesahundredaayaatin qiyaamwillberecordedasoneofthedevout[???],andwhoeverpraysathousandaayaatin qiyaamwillberecordedasoneofthemuqantareen(thosewhopileupgooddeeds). (ReportedbyAbuDawoodandIbnHibbaan.Itisahasanreport.SaheehalTargheeb,635). YahyaaibnMuaadhsaid:Themedicineoftheheartisfivethings:readingQuraanand ponderingthemeaning,havinganemptystomach,prayingatnight(qiyaamallayl), beseechingAllaahatthetimeofsuhoor,andkeepingcompanywithrighteouspeople.

4Studyinghowthesalafandrighteouspeoplepractisedqiyaamallaylandadheredtoit. Thesalafusedtoenjoyqiyaamallaylandrejoicegreatlyindoingit.AbdAllaahibnWahb said:Everytypeofpleasureisenjoyedonlyonce,exceptforactsofworship,whichare enjoyedthreetimes:whenyoudoit,whenyourememberit,andwhenyouaregiventhe rewardforit. MuhammadibnalMunkadirsaid:Thereisnothingleftofthejoysofthislifeexceptthree: qiyaamallayl,meetingonesbrothersinfaith,andprayingincongregation. ThaabitalBanaanisaid:ThereisnothingIenjoymorethanqiyaamallayl. YazeedalRiqaashisaid:Alotoftahajjudbringsdelighttotheworshippers,andalotof thirst(i.e.,fasting),bringsjoywhentheymeetAllaah. MukhalladibnHusaynsaid:IneverwokeupatnightexceptIsawIbraaheemibnAdham rememberingAllaahandpraying,andthismademedepressed,soIconsoledmyselfwith thisaayah(interpretationofthemeaning):ThatistheGraceofAllaahwhichHebestows onwhomHepleases.AndAllaahistheOwnerofGreatBounty[alHadeed57:21]. AbuAasimalNabeelsaid:AbuHaneefahusedtobecalledalWatad(poleorpillar)because heprayedsomuch. AlQaasimibnMaeensaid:AbuHaneefahspentanentirenightinqiyaamrecitingthis aayah(interpretationofthemeaning):Nay,buttheHouristheirappointedtime(fortheir fullrecompense),andtheHourwillbemoregrievousandmorebitter[alQamar54:46], repeatingitandweeping,beseechingAllaahuntilmorningcame. IbraaheemibnShammaassaid:IusedtoseeAhmadibnHanbalstayingupatnighttopray whenhewasayoungman. AbuBakralMarwadhisaid:IwaswithImaamAhmadfornearlyfourmonthsinthearmy, andheneverstoppedprayingqiyaamatnightorreadingQuraanduringtheday,andInever knewwhenhecompletedtheQuraan,becausehekeptthatsecret. ImaamalBukhaariusedtoprayqiyaamandtahajjudatnightuntilthetimeofsuhoor,andhe wouldreadbetweenahalfandathirdoftheQuraan,andcompleteitatsuhooreverythird night. AlAllaamahIbnAbdalHaadisaid,describingtheqiyaamofShaykhalIslamIbnTaymiyah: Atnighthewouldkeepawayfrompeople,andspendthattimeonlywithhisLord, beseechingHimcontinuallyandrecitingQuraan,repeatingdifferentkindsofactsof worshipbynightandbyday.Whenhebegantopray,hisbodywouldstarttotremble, leaningtotheleftandright.

IbnRajabsaidconcerninghisshaykhImaamIbnalQayyim:Hewasamanofworship, tahajjudandlengthyprayers.Ihaveneverseenhisequalinworshipandknowledgeofthe Quraan,hadeethandprinciplesoffaith. AlHaafizIbnHajarsaid,describinghisshaykhalHaafizalIraaqi:Istayedwithhim,andI neversawhimforsakeqiyaamallayl:itwaslikeahabitforhim. 5Sleepingononesrightside.TheProphet(peaceandblessingsofAllaahbeuponhim) taughthisummahtosleepontheirrightsides,asisreportedinthehadeethofAbuHurayrah (mayAllaahbepleasedwithhim),whosaidthattheProphet(peaceandblessingsofAllaah beuponhim)said:Whenanyoneofyougoestobed,lethimclearhisbedbyhittingitwith hisgarment,forhedoesnotknowwhatmayhavecomeontoit.Thenlethimliedownonhis rightside,thenlethimsay,BismikaRabbiwadatujanbiwabikaarfauhu.Inamsaktanafsi farhamhaawainarsaltahaafahfazhaabimaatahfazubihiibaadakaalsaaliheen(InYour Name,myLord,IlaymyselfdownandIgetupagain.IfYoutakemysoul,thenhavemercy onit,andifYousenditbacktome,thenprotectitwiththatwithwhichYouprotectYour righteousslaves).(Agreedupon). AlBaraaibnAazib(mayAllaahbepleasedwithhim)reportedthattheProphet(peaceand blessingsofAllaahbeuponhim)said:Whenyouwanttogotobed,dowudooasfor prayer,thenliedownonyourrightside.(Agreedupon) Hafsah(mayAllaahbepleasedwithher)said:WhentheProphet(peaceandblessingsof Allaahbeuponhim)wenttobed,hewouldputhisrighthandunderhisrightcheek. (ReportedbyalTabaraani,SaheehalJaami,4523). ImaamIbnalQayyim(mayAllaahhavemercyonhim)said:Thereisareasonforhislyingon hisrightside,whichisthattheheartislocatedontheleft,soifapersonlaysonhisleftside, hewillsleeptoodeeply,becausetheheartspositionwillbetoocomfortable,butifhe sleepsonhisrightside,hewillnotbetoosettled,sohewontsleepdeeply. 6Sleepinginastateoftahaarah(purity).WehavealreadyquotedthehadeethofalBaraa ibnAazib(mayAllaahbepleasedwithhim),inwhichtheProphet(peaceandblessingsof Allaahbeuponhim)said,Whenyougotobed,dowudooasifforprayer.(Agreedupon). MuaadibnJabal(mayAllaahbepleasedwithhim)reportedthattheProphet(peaceand blessingsofAllaahbeuponhim)said:ThereisnoMuslimwhogoestosleepremembering Allaahandinastateofpurity,andwhenheturnsoverheasksAllaahforgoodinthisworld andthenext,butitwillbegiventohim.(ReportedbyAbuDawoodandAhmad.Saheehal Jaami,5754). IbnAbbaas(mayAllaahbepleasedwiththemboth)reportedthattheProphet(peaceand blessingsofAllaahbeuponhim)said:PurifythesebodiesandAllaahwillpurifyyou,for thereisnoslavewhogoestosleepinastateofpuritybutanangelspendsthenightwith

him,andeverytimeheturnsover,[theangel]says,OAllaah,forgiveYourslave,forhewent tobedinastateofpurity.(ReportedbyalTabaraani.AlMundhirisaid,itsisnaadisjaayid. SaheehalJaami,3831). 7Goingtosleepearly.SleepingstraightafterIshaaistheadviceoftheProphet(peace andblessingsofAllaahbeuponhim),andagoodandhealthyhabit.Oneoftheahaadeeth thatdescribeitsvirtueswasnarratedbyAbuBarzahalAslami(mayAllaahbepleasedwith him)whosaidthattheProphet(peaceandblessingsofAllaahbeuponhim)usedtoprefer todelayIshaa,andhedidnotliketosleepbeforeitortalkafterit.(Reportedbyal Bukhaari). AlHaafizIbnHajarreportedthatalQaadiAyaadsaid,concerningthephraseHedidnotlike tosleepbeforeit:Becausethatcouldleadtooneprayingittoolate,ordelayingituntil afterthepreferredtime,andtalkingafteritcouldleadtoonesleepingbeforeFajrand missingit,ormissingqiyaamallayl. IbnRaafisaid:UmaribnalKhattaab(mayAllaahbepleasedwithhim)usedtowavehis stickatthepeoplewhendarknessfell,andwouldsay,Getupandgo,mayAllaahhelpyou toprayqiyaamatnight! Anothermatterthathastodowithsleepischoosingasuitablebed,notonethatis excessivelyluxuriousorsoft,becausethatmakesapersonsleeptoomuchandbecome negligent,andcauseslazinessandcarelessness.Aaishah(mayAllaahbepleasedwithher) said:ThepillowoftheProphet(peaceandblessingsofAllaahbeuponhim)onwhichhe sleptatnightwasmadeofleatherstuffedwithpalmfibres.(ReportedbyAbuDawoodand Ahmad.SaheehalJaami,4714). IbnAbbaas(mayAllaahbepleasedwithhim)reportedthatUmaribnalKhattaabentered upontheMessengerofAllaah(peaceandblessingsofAllaahbeuponhim)whenhewas lyingonamatofpalmfibresthathadleftmarksonhisside.Umarsaid,OMessengerof Allaah,whydoyounotgetsomethingmorecomfortablethanthis?He(peaceandblessings ofAllaahbeuponhim)said:WhatdoIhavetodowiththisworld?Myrelationshipwiththis worldislikethatofatravelleronahotsummersday,whoseeksshadeunderatreeforan hour,thenmoveson.(ReportedbyAhmadandalHaakim.SaheehalJaami,5545). AliibnBakkaar(mayAllaahhavemercyonhim)usedtohaveaslavewomanwhowould spreadouthisbedforhim,andhewouldtouchitwithhishandandsay:ByAllaah,youare good,andbyAllaahyouarecool,butbyAllaahIwillnotrestonyoutonight.Thenhewould getupandprayqiyaamuntilFajr. Also,oneshouldnotsleeptoomuchortoodeeply.IbraaheemibnAdhamsaid:Ifyouare sleepingatnight,andrunningaboutduringtheday,andalwayscommittingsin,howcan youearnthepleasureoftheOneWhoisdirectingyouraffairs?

8Havingthehabitofrecitingadhkaarprescribedbyshareeahbeforegoingtosleep, becausetheseadhkaararelikeafortresswhichprotectsapersonfromtheShaytaan,bythe permissionofAllaah,andhelpshimtogetupforqiyaam.Amongtheseadhkaaristhat mentionedinthehadeethofAbuHurayrah(mayAllaahbepleasedwithhim),whosaidthat theProphet(peaceandblessingsofAllaahbeuponhim)said:Whenanyoneofyougoesto bed,lethimclearhisbedbyhittingitwithhisgarment,forhedoesnotknowwhatmayhave comeontoit.Thenlethimliedownonhisrightside,thenlethimsay,BismikaRabbi wadatujanbiwabikaarfauhu.Inamsaktanafsifarhamhaawainarsaltahaafahfazhaa bimaatahfazubihiibaadakaalsaaliheen(InYourName,myLord,IlaymyselfdownandI getupagain.IfYoutakemysoul,thenhavemercyonit,andifYousenditbacktome,then protectitwiththatwithwhichYouprotectYourrighteousslaves).(Agreedupon). Aaishah(mayAllaahbepleasedwithher)reportedthatwhentheProphet(peaceand blessingsofAllaahbeuponhim)wenttobedeachnight,hewouldputhispalmstogether, blowinthem,andreciteQulhuwaAllaahuahad,QulaoodhubiRabbilFalaqandQul aoodhubiRabbilNaas,thenhewouldwipeasmuchofhisbodyashecouldwithhishands, startingwithhisheadandface,andthefrontofhisbody,doingthisthreetimes.(Agreed upon). IbnMasood(mayAllaahbepleasedwithhim)reportedthattheProphet(peaceand blessingsofAllaahbeuponhim)said:WhoeverrecitesthelasttwoaayahsofSooratal Baqarah,thiswilltakecareofhim.(Agreedupon). AnasibnMaalik(mayAllaahbepleasedwithhim)reportedthatwhentheProphet(peace andblessingsofAllaahbeuponhim)wenttobed,hewouldsay:AlhamduLillaahilladhi atamanaawasaqaanaa,wakafaanaafakammimmanlaakaafeeyalahuwalaamuweeya lahu(PraisebetoAllaahWhohasfedusandgivenustodrink,andWhohasgivenus enough,forhowmanyaretherewhohavenoonetosufficethemorgivethemrefuge). (ReportedbyMuslim). AccordingtothehadeethofAbuHurayrahinwhichhetellsthestoryofhowhecapturedthe Shaytaan,theShaytaansaidtohim:Whenyougotobed,reciteAayatalKursi,Allaah! NonehastherighttobeworshippedbutHe,theEverLiving,theOneWhosustainsand protectsallthatexists[alBaqarah2:255interpretationofthemeaning]untiltheendof it,becauseitwillbringAllaahsprotectionforyou,andnoshaytaanwillapproachyouuntil morningcomes.AbuHurayrah(mayAllaahbepleasedwithhim)mentionedthistothe Prophet(peaceandblessingsofAllaahbeuponhim),andhesaid,Hespokethetrutheven thoughheisaliar.(Agreedupon). AliibnAbiTaalib(mayAllaahbepleasedwithhim)reportedthatwhentheProphets daughterFaatimah(mayAllaahbepleasedwithher)cametohimandaskedhimfora servant,he(peaceandblessingsofAllaahbeuponhim)saidtoherandAli:ShallInot teachyousomethingthatwillbebetterforyouthanaservant?Whenyougotobed,say

SubhaanAllaahthirtythreetimes,alhamduLillaahthirtythreetimes,andAllaahuakbar thirtyfourtimes.Thisisbetterforyouthanaservant.(Agreedupon). AnasibnMaalik(mayAllaahbepleasedwithhim)reportedthattheProphet(peaceand blessingsofAllaahbeuponhim)said:ReciteQulyaaayyuhalkaafiroonwhenyougoto sleep,foritisarenunciationofshirk.(ReportedbyalBayhaqi.SaheehalJaami,1172). Hafsah(mayAllaahbepleasedwithher)reportedthatwhentheProphet(peaceand blessingsofAllaahbeuponhim)wenttobed,hewouldputhisrighthandunderhisright cheekandsay:Rabbiqineeadhaabakayawmatabathuibaadaka(MyLord,savemefrom YourpunishmentontheDaywhenYouresurrectYourslaves).(ReportedbyAbuDawood, SaheehalJaami,4532). AlBaraaibnAazib(mayAllaahbepleasedwithhim)reportedthattheProphet(peaceand blessingsofAllaahbeuponhim)said:Whenyougotobed,dowudooasifforprayer,then liedownonyourrightside,thensay:Allaahummahaslamtunafsiilayk,wawajahtuwajhi ilayk,wafawwadtuamriilayk,waaljatuzahriilayk,raghbatanwarahbatanilayk,laamaljaa walaamanjaaminkaillailayk.Aamantubikitaabikalladhianzalt,wabinabiyyikalladhiarsalt (OAllaah,IsubmitmyselftoYou,IturnmyfacetoYou,IdelegatemyaffairstoYouandI relytotallyonYou,outoffearandhopeofYou.ThereisnorefugeorsanctuaryfromYou exceptinYou.IbelieveinYourBookwhichYouhaverevealedandinYourProphetwhom Youhavesent).Thenifyoudie,youwillhavediedonthefitrah,somakethesethelast wordsyouspeak.(Agreedupon). Similarly,theMuslimshouldhavethehabitofrecitingadhkaarprescribedbyshareeah whenwakingup,suchasthatreportedbyAbuHurayrah,whosaidthattheProphet(peace andblessingsofAllaahbeuponhim)said:Whenanyoneofyouwakesup,heshouldsay: AlhamduLillaahilladhiraddaalayyaroohi,waaafaanifijasadiwaadhinalibidhikrihi (PraisebetoAllaahWhohasrestoredmysoul,givenhealthtomybody,andallowedmeto rememberHim).(ReportedbyalTirmidhiandalNisaa'i,SaheehalJaami,326). UbaadahibnalSaamit(mayAllaahbepleasedwithhim)reportedthattheProphet(peace andblessingsofAllaahbeuponhim)said:WhoeverturnsoveratnightandsaysLaailaaha illAllaahwahdahulaashareekalah,lahulmulkwalahulhamdwahuwaalkullishayin qadeer.Alhamdulillahi,subhaanAllaahwalaaillaahaillAllaahwaAllaahuakbarwalaa hawlawalaaquwwataillaBillaah(ThereisnogodbutAllaahAlone,withnopartneror associate.HisistheDominionandthePraise,andHeisAbletodoallthings.Praisebeto Allaah,glorybetoAllaah.ThereisnogodexceptAllaah,AllaahisMostGreatandthereisno strengthandnopowerexceptinAllaah),thensays,Allaahummaghfirli(OAllaah,forgive me),orsomeotherduaa,itwillbeanswered,andifhedoeswudooandthenprays,his prayerwillbeaccepted.(ReportedbyalBukhaari) ImaamIbnBattaalsaid:AllaahhaspromisedthroughHisProphet(peaceandblessingsof Allaahbeuponhim)thatwhoeverwakesupfromhissleeppronouncingwordsofTawheed,

submittingtoHissovereignty,recognizingHisblessingsbypraisingHim,exaltingHimabove thatwhichdoesnotbefitHimbyglorifyingHim(sayingSubhaanAllaah),submittingtoHim bymagnifyingHim(sayingAllaahuakbar)andadmittingonesutterdependenceuponHis help,thenifhemakesduaaitwillbeanswered,andifheprayshisprayerwillbeaccepted. Everyonewhohearsthishadeethshouldapplyitandmakethemostofit,andmakehis intentionsincerelyforhisLord,mayHebeglorifiedandexalted. AlBaraaibnAazib(mayAllaahbepleasedwiththemboth)said:WhentheProphet(peace andblessingsofAllaahbeuponhim)wokeup,hewouldsay:AlhamduLillaahilladhi ahyaanaabadamaaamaatanaawailayhialnushoor(PraisebetoAllaahWhohasbrought usbacktolifeafterhavingcausedustodie,anduntoHimistheresurrection).(Reported byMuslim). IbnAbbaas(mayAllaahbepleasedwiththemboth)reportedthatwhentheProphet(peace andblessingsofAllaahbeuponhim)wokeuphewouldwipethesleepfromhisfacewithhis hand,thenlookattheskyandrecitethefinaltenaayaatofSooratAalImran:Verily,inthe creationoftheheavensandtheearth[AalImraan3:190interpretationofthe meaning].(ReportedbyMuslim) ImaamalNawawisaid:Thisindicatesthatitismustahabbtowipeawaythetracesofsleep fromonesface,andtorecitetheseaayaatwhengettingupfromsleep. 9Beingkeentotakeanaporsiestaduringtheday,whetherbeforezuhrorafter.Anas (mayAllaahbepleasedwithhim)reportedthattheProphet(peaceandblessingsofAllaah beuponhim)said:Takeanap,fortheshayaateendonottakenaps.(Reportedbyal Tabaraani.AlSaheehah,2647). IshaaqibnAbdAllaahsaid:Takinganapisoneofthedeedsofgoodpeople.Itrevitalizes theheartandhelpsonetoprayqiyaamallayl. AlHasanalBasripassedbyagroupofpeopleinthemarketplaceinthemiddleoftheday, andheardtherackettheyweremaking.Hesaid,Dothesepeopletakeanap?Itwassaid tohim,No.Hesaid,Ithinktheirnightsmustbebad. 10Avoidingeatingordrinkingtoomuch.Eatinganddrinkingtoomucharetwoofthemain obstaclesthatpreventpeoplefromprayingqiyaamallayl.AlMiqdaamibnMadYakrib(may Allaahbepleasedwithhim)reportedthattheProphet(peaceandblessingsofAllaahbe uponhim)said:Manfillsnovesselworsethanhisstomach.Itissufficientforthesonof Adamtohaveafewmouthfulstogivehimthestrengthheneeds.Ifhehastofillhis stomach,thenlethimleaveonethirdforfood,onethirdfordrinkandonethirdforair. (ReportedbyalTirmidhiandIbnMaajah.SaheehalJaami,5674). AbuJuhayfah(mayAllaahbepleasedwithhim)reportedthattheProphet(peaceand blessingsofAllaahbeuponhim)saidtoamanwhoburpedinhispresence:Stopyour

burping,forthepeoplewhoeatthemostinthislifewillbethemosthungryontheDayof Resurrection.(ReportedbyalHaakim.SaheehalJaami,1190). SufyaanalThawrisaid:Youshouldeatlittle,sothatyouwillbeabletoprayqiyaamallayl. MaqalibnHabeebsawsomepeopleeatingalot,andsaid,Idonotthinkthatour companionswanttoprayqiyaamallayl. WahbibnMunbihsaid:ThereisnosonofAdamdearertohisshaytaanthantheonewho eatsandsleepsalot. 11Strivingagainstoneselftoprayqiyaamallayl.Thisisoneofthebestmeansofhelping oneselftoprayqiyaam,becausehumannatureisinclinedtowardswrongdoing,sotheone whofollowshisowninclinationswillbeledtodoomanddestruction.Allaahhas commandedustostriveagainstourownselves,asHesays(interpretationofthemeanings): AndstrivehardinAllaahsCauseasyououghttostrive[alHajj22:78] AndasforthosewhostrivehardinOurCause,WewillsurelyguidethemtoOurPaths. Andverily,Allaahiswiththemuhsinoon(gooddoers).[alAnkaboot29:69] Theirsidesforsaketheirbeds,toinvoketheirLordinfearandhope,andtheyspend (charityinAllaahsCause)outofwhatWehavebestowedonthem[alSajdah32:16] FadaalahibnUbayd(mayAllaahbepleasedwithhim)reportedthattheProphet(peaceand blessingsofAllaahbeuponhim)said:Themujaahidistheonewhostrivesagainsthisown selfforthesakeofAllaah.(ReportedbyalTirmidhiandIbnHibbaan.AlSaheehah,549). AccordingtothehadeethofUqbahibnAamir(mayAllaahbepleasedwithhim),the Prophet(peaceandblessingsofAllaahbeuponhim)said:Whenamanfrommyummah getsuptoprayatnight,strivingagainsthisownselftogetupandpurifyhimself,thereare knotsonhim.Whenhewasheshishandsinwudoo,oneknotisundone.Whenhewashes hisface,anotherknotisundone.Whenhewipeshisheadanotherknotisundone.Whenhe washeshisfeet,anotherknotisundone.ThenAllaahsaystothosewhoareveiled(inthe Unseen):LookatthisslaveofMine,heisstrivingagainsthisownselfandaskingofMe. WhateverMyslaveasksofMeshallbehis.(ReportedbyAhmadandIbnHibaan.Saheeh alTargheeb,627). MuhammadibnalMunkadirsaid:Istruggledagainstmyownselfforfortyyearsuntilit becameright.ThaabitalBanaanisaid:Istruggledfortwentyyearstomakemyselfpray qiyaamallayl,andIenjoyedit(qiyaamallayl)fortwentyyears.UmaribnAbdalAzeez said:Thebestofdeedsarethosewhichweforceourselvestodo.AbdAllaahibnal Mubaaraksaid:Thesoulsofrighteouspeopleinthepastusedtopushthemtodogood deeds,butoursoulsdonotdowhatwewantthemtodoexceptbyforce,sowehaveto

forcethem.Qutaadahsaid:OsonofAdam,ifyoudonotwanttodoanygoodexcept whenyouhavetheenergyforit,thenyournatureismoreinclinedtowardsboredomand laziness.Thetruebelieveristheonewhopusheshimself. 12Avoidingsin.IftheMuslimwantstobeoneofthosewhoearnthehonourofspeaking toAllaahinthedepthsofthenight,lethimbewareofsin,fortheonewhoiscontaminated withthestainofsinwillnotbehelpedtoprayqiyaamallayl.AmansaidtoIbraaheemibn Adham,Icannotprayqiyaamallayl,sotellmethecureforthis.Hesaid,Donotcommit sinduringtheday,andHewillhelpyoutostandbeforeHimatnight,foryourstanding beforeHimatnightisoneofthegreatesthonours,andthesinnerdoesnotdeservethat honour. AmansaidtoalHasanalBasri:OAbuSaeed,Isleepingoodhealth,andIlovetopray qiyaamallayl,andIpreparewaterwithwhichtopurifymyself,sowhycanInotgetup?Al Hasansaid:Yoursinsarerestrictingyou.Hesaid,mayAllaahhavemercyonhim,The slavewhocommitsasinwillbedeniedtheopportunitytoprayqiyaamatnightandtofast duringtheday. AlFudaylibnAyaadsaid:Ifyoucannotprayqiyaamallayl,orfastduringtheday,know thatyouareindeeddeprivedandrestricted,chainedbyyoursins. 13Checkingoneselfandrebukingoneselffornotprayingqiyaamallayl.Checkingoneselfis oneofthesignsoftherighteousandtruthful.Allaahsays(interpretationofthemeaning): Oyouwhobelieve!FearAllaahandkeepyourdutytoHim.Andleteverypersonlookto whathehassentforthforthemorrow,andfearAllaah.Verily,AllaahisAllAwareofwhat youdo.[alHashr59:18]. ImaamIbnalQayyimsaid:Iftheslaveisresponsibleandaccountableforeverything,even hishearing,sightandinnermostthoughts,asAllaahsays(interpretationofthemeaning), Verily,thehearing,andthesight,andtheheartofeachofyouwillbequestionedby Allaah[alIsra17:36],thenheshouldcheckonhimselfbeforeheisbroughttoaccount. QiyaamallaylisanactofworshipthatconnectsthehearttoAllaah,mayHebeexalted,and enablesittoovercomethetemptationsoflifeandtostriveagainstonesownself,atthe timewhenvoicesarestilled,eyesareclosedinsleep,andsleepersaretossingandturningin theirbeds.Thereforeqiyaamallaylisoneofthemeasuresofsinceredeterminationandone ofthequalitiesofthosewhohavegreatambitions.Allaahhaspraisedthemand distinguishedthemfromothersintheQuraan,whereHesays(interpretationofthe meaning):IsonewhoisobedienttoAllaah,prostratinghimselforstanding(inprayer) duringthehoursofthenight,fearingtheHereafterandhopingfortheMercyofhisLord (likeonewhodisbelieves)?Say:Arethosewhoknowequaltothosewhoknownot?Itis onlymenofunderstandingwhowillremember.[alZumar39:9]

Qiyaamallaylissunnahmuakkadah(confirmedSunnah),whichtheProphet(peaceand blessingsofAllaahbeuponhim)urgedustodowhenhesaid,Youshouldprayqiyaamal layl,foritisthehabitoftherighteouspeoplewhocamebeforeyou,anditwillbringyou closertoyourLord,expiateforbaddeeds,preventsin,andexpeldiseasefromthebody. (ReportedbyalTirmidhiandAhmad). Accordingtoahadeeth,theProphet(peaceandblessingsofAllaahbeuponhim)said:The bestofprayersaftertheprescribedprayersisqiyaamallayl.TheProphet(peaceand blessingsofAllaahbeuponhim)alwayshadthehabitofprayingqiyaamallayl,andnever gaveitup,whetherhewastravellingorstayingathome.Eventhoughhe,amongallthe sonsofAdam,wouldbetheonetohaveallhispastandfuturesinsforgiven,heprayed qiyaamallayluntilhisfeetbecameswollen,andwhenhewasaskedaboutthat,hesaid, ShouldInotbeagratefulslave?(Agreedupon). Thisishowthenoblesalafwere,mayAllaahhavemercyuponthem.AbulDarda(may Allaahbepleasedwithhim)said:Praytworakahsinthedarknessofthenightforthe darknessofthegrave.AhmadibnHarbsaid:Iamastonishedatpeoplewhoknowthatthe delightsofParadiselieabovethemandthehorrorsofHellliebeneaththem.Howcanthey sleepinbetweenthem? WhenUmaribnDharrsawthatnighthadcome,hewouldsay:Nighthascome,andnight hasdignity,andAllaahismostdeservingofreverence. Forthisreason,alFudaylibnAyaadsaid:Imetsomepeoplewhofeelashamedbefore Allaahtosleepfortoolonginthedepthsofthenight.Suchapersonmayberestingonhis side,andwhenhemoves,hesaystohimself,Thisisnotyourright.Getupandtakeyour shareoftheHereafter. AlHasansaid:Wedonotknowofanydeedmoredifficultthanthestruggletostayupat nightortospendmoney.Itwassaidtohim,Whydothemutahajjadeen(thosewhopray Tahajjudatnight)havethemostbeautifulfaces?Hesaid,Becausetheyspendtimealone withtheMostMerciful,soHeadornsthemwithsomeofHislight. Thewomenofthesalafalsousedtostrivetoprayqiyaamallaylwithenergyand determination.Wherearethewomenofourownagewhenitcomestosuchgreatdeeds? UrwahibnalZubayrsaid:IcametoAaishah(mayAllaahbepleasedwithher)onedayto greether,andIfoundherprayingandrecitingtheaayah(interpretationofthemeaning), ButAllaahhasbeengracioustous,andhassavedusfromthetormentoftheFire[alToor 52:27],repeatingitandweeping.Iwaitedforher,butIgotboredofwaiting,soIwenttothe marketforsomethingsIneeded,thenIcamebacktoAaishah,andshewasstillpraying andrecitingthisaayahandweeping. AnasibnMaalik(mayAllaahbepleasedwithhim)reportedthattheProphet(peaceand blessingsofAllaahbeuponhim)said:Jibreelsaidtome,GobacktoHafsah,forshefastsa

lotandpraysalotatnight(qiyaamallayl).(ReportedbyalHaakim,SaheehalJaami, 4227). MuaadhahalAdawiyyah,oneoftherighteousTaabiaatspentherweddingnight,along withherhusbandSilahibnAshyam,prayinguntilFajr.Whenherhusbandandsonwerekilled inthelandofjihaad,shewouldspendthewholenightinprayer,worshippingand beseechingAllaah,andshewouldsleepduringtheday.Ifshefeltsleepywhilstshewas prayingatnight,shewouldtellherself:Osoul,thereisplentyofsleepaheadofyou. WhenHabeebahalAdawiyyahprayedIshaa,shewouldstandontheroofofherhouse, wearingherchemiseandkhimaar(i.e.,coveredinproperIslamicdress),thenshewouldsay, OmyGod,thestarshavecomeout,peoplehavegonetosleep,andkingshaveclosedtheir doors,butYourdoorisopen.Everyloverisalonewithhislover,buthereIamstanding beforeYou.ThenshewouldstarttoprayandtalktoherLorduntilthetimeofsuhoor. Whenthetimeofsuhoorcame,shewouldsay,OAllaah,thisnightisending,thedayis coming,andIwishIknewwhetheryouhaveacceptedthisnight(ofworship)fromme,so thatIcouldcongratulatemyself,orifithasbeenrejected,sothatImightconsolemyself. Amrah,thewifeofHabeebalAjami,prayedqiyaamallaylonenightwhilstherhusband wasasleep.Whenthetimeforsuhoorcame,andherhusbandwasstillasleep,shewokehim upandsaidtohim,Getup,mymaster,forthenighthasgone,thedayhascomeandahead ofyouliesalongroadwithlittleprovision,andasmallgroupofrighteouspeoplewhohave gonebeforeus,andwearestillhere. WeaskAllaahtohelpustorememberHim,tothankHimandtoworshipHimproperly.May AllaahblessourProphetMuhammad. IslamQ&A SheikhMuhammedSalihAlMunajjid Redesignedby s c r ib d.c om / U p o n S u n n a h