الرئيسية
What is Qiyaam al-Layl?
Qiyaam' means 'standing' and 'Qiyaam al-Layl' means 'standing in night.'
In the Islamic terminology, both terms refer to 'the voluntary night
prayer, whose time extends from after 'Ishaa’ (evening) prayer until
dawn.' Qiyaam al-Layl is also known as Tahajjud.
A widespread misconception is that Tahajjud is a different night prayer
than Qiyaam. The true is that there is only one voluntary night prayer
known by different names.
The excellence of night prayer:
Numerous Prophetic narrations and Quranic verses mention the excellence
of night prayer and the merit of those who perform it regularly. Allaah
The Almighty, Says (what means): "O you who wraps himself [in clothing],
arise [to pray] the night, except for a little – half of it – or
subtract from it a littleor add to it, and recite the Quran with
measured recitation."[Quran 73: 1-4]
It is reported that the Messenger of Allaah said: “Allaah, Our Lord,
descends (in a manner befitting His Majesty) to the nearest heaven to us
of this universe during the last third of the night and says: ‘Is there
anyone to call upon Me so that I shall respond to him (fulfill his
prayer). Is there anyone to ask of Me that I may grant his request. Is
there anyone to seek My forgiveness so that I shall pardon him (and
forgive his sins)’.” [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]
Aa'ishah reported that the Prophet said: “The most beloved deeds to
Allaah are the most constant, even if they were little” [Al-Bukhaari and
Muslim], and she said in another narration: “Do not ever stop praying
Qiyaam. The Prophet never ceased praying it. When he was sick or weak,
he prayed sitting.” [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]
The Messenger of Allaah in another Hadeeth, said: "The closest one can
be to Allaah The Almighty, is during the last third of the night. If one
can remember Allaah The Almighty, at this time let him do so."
[At-Tirmithi, An-Nasaa'i and Al-Haaqim]
The Prophet also said: “You should pray Qiyaam al-Layl, for it is the
habit of the righteous people who came before you, and it will bring you
closer to your Lord, expiate for bad deeds, prevent sin, and expel
disease from the body.”[At-Tirmithi and Ahmad]
Mu'ath Ibn Jabal narrated that the Prophet said to him: “May I show you
the gates of goodness?' (They are) “Fasting is screen from Hell, charity
extinguishes the sins as water extinguishes fire, standing in prayer by
a slave of Allaah during the last third part of a night.” Then the
Prophet recited this verse (what means):“They arise from [their] beds;
they supplicate their Lord in fear and aspiration…" (Quran 32: 16) [Abu
Daawood and At-Tirmithi]
Abu Hurayrah reported that the Messenger of Allaah said: “The best of
prayer after those prescribed (i.e. obligatory prayer) is that in the
depth of night.” [Muslim]
Abu Hurayrah also reported that the Messenger of Allaah said: “May
Allaah have mercy on a man who wakes up at night, prays, and wakes his
wife to pray; and if she refuses, he sprinkles water on her face. And
may Allaah have mercy on a woman who wakes up at night, prays, and wakes
her husband to pray; and if he refuses, she sprinkles water on his
face.” [Abu Daawood]
Abdullaah Ibn Bashr reported Allaah's Messenger saying: “Whoever prays
night prayer reciting ten verses, he will not be recorded among the
negligent. Whoever prays night prayer reciting one hundred verses, he
will be recorded among the devout. And whoever prays night prayer
reciting one thousand verses, he will be recorded among those with a
multitude of good deeds.”[Abu Daawood]
Again, the Prophet said: "Verily, there is one hour during the (entire)
night when any Muslim (submitting to the Will of Allaah the Almighty)
may call upon Allaah and request anything of Him, regardless of whether
the matter be worldly or of the hereafter. Allaah, theAlmighty will
grant and fulfill the request. This is the case every night." [Muslim]
Those who regularly perform the night prayers are the righteous and are
more deserving of Allaah's bounty and mercy. Allaah Says (what means):
"Indeed, the righteous will be among gardens and springs,accepting what
their Lord has given them. Indeed, they were before that doers of
good.They used to sleep but little of the night,and in the hours before
dawn they would ask forgiveness." [Quran 51: 15-18]
Allaah Says that those who do not possess these qualities cannot be
treated as equal to those who possess them. He The Almighty Says (what
means): "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.''[Quran 39: 9]
Etiquettes of night prayer:
The following acts are Sunnah (recommended) for the one who wishes to
perform the night prayers. Upon going to sleep, one should make the
intention to perform the prayers. Abu Ad-Dardaa' related that the
Prophet said: "Whoever goes to his bed with the intention of getting up
and praying during the night, and sleep overcomes him until the morning
comes, he will have recorded for him what he had intended, and his sleep
will be a charity for him from his Lord."[An-Nasaa'i and Ibn Maajah]
Upon waking, one should wipe one's face, use a Miswaak (toothstick), and
make this supplication: "There is no god but You, Glory be to You, I
seek forgiveness from You for my sins, and I ask for Your mercy. O
Allaah, increase my knowledge and let my heart not swerve after You have
guided me, and bestow mercy upon me from Yourself. All praise be to
Allaah who has given us back life after our death and unto Him is the
resurrection."
Then, one should recite the last ten verses of chapter 'Al-'Imraan',
then one should say, "O Allaah, to You belongs the praise. You are the
Light of the heavens and the earth and what is therein. And to You
belongs the praise. You are the truth and Your promise is true. And the
meeting with You is true. And the paradise is true. And the Fire is
true. And the prophets are true. And Muhammad is true. And the Hour is
true. O Allaah, to You have I submitted. And in You have I believed. And
in You have I put my trust. And to You have I turned. And by You I
argue. And to You do I turn for my decisions. Forgive me of my former
and latter sins, and those done in private and those done in public. You
are Allaah, there is no god besides You."
One should begin the night prayer with two quick Rak'ahs and then may
pray whatever he wishes after that. 'Aa'ishah said: "When the Prophet
prayed during the late-night, he would begin his prayers with two quick
Rak'ahs." [Muslim]
The recommended time for night prayer:
The night prayer may be performed in the early part of the night, the
middle part of the night, or the latter part of the night, but after the
obligatory 'Ishaa' (evening) prayer.
Anas described the prayer of the Prophet as: "If we wanted to see him
praying during the night, we could see him praying. If we wanted to see
him sleeping during the night, we could see him sleeping. And sometimes
he would fast for so many days that we thought he would not leave
fasting throughout that month. And sometimes he would not fast (for so
many days) that we thought he would not fast during that month."
[Al-Bukhaari, Ahmad and An-Nasaa' i]
Commenting on this subject, Ibn Hajar said: "There was no specific time
in which the Prophet would perform his night prayer, but he would do
whatever was easiest for him."
Best time for night prayer:
It is best to delay this prayer to the last third portion of the night.
Abu Hurayrah reported that the Prophet said: "Our Lord descends to the
lowest heaven during the last third of the night, inquiring: 'Who will
call on Me so that I may respond to him? Who is asking something of Me
so I may give it to him? Who is asking for My forgiveness so I may
forgive him?"'
'Amr Ibn Abasah reported that he heard the Prophet say: "The closest
that a slave comes to his Lord is during the middle of the latter
portion of the night. If you can be among those who remember Allaah, the
Exalted One, at that time then do so." [Al-Haakim, At-Tirmithi and
An-Nasaa'i]
The number of Rak'ahs (units of prayer) to be performed during night prayer:
The night prayer does not entail a specific number of Rak'ahs which must
be performed nor is there any maximum limit which has to be performed.
It would be fulfilled even if one just prayed one Rak'ah of Witr after
the obligatory night prayer.
Samurah Ibn Jundub said: "The Messenger of Allaah ordered us to pray
during the night, a little or a lot, and to make the last of the prayer
the Witr prayer." [At-Tabaraani and Al-Bazzaar]
It is preferable to pray eleven or thirteen Rak'ahs for night prayer:
One may choose between praying them all together or to separate them.
'Aa'ishah said: "The Messenger of Allaah never prayed more than eleven
Rak'ahs, during Ramadhaan or otherwise. He would pray four Rak'ahs, and
don't ask about how excellent they were or how lengthy they were. Then,
he would pray four Rak'ahs, and don't ask about how excellent they were
or how lengthy they were. Then, he would pray three Rak'ahs. I asked: 'O
Messenger of Allaah, do you sleep before praying Witr?' He replied: 'O
'Aa'ishah, my eyes sleep but my heart does not sleep."' [Al-Bukhaari and
Muslim]
'Aa'ishah said: "The prayer of the Messenger of Allaah during the night
would be ten Rak'ahs and then he would make Witr with one Rak'ah."
source :huda channel website
Qiyaam' means 'standing' and 'Qiyaam al-Layl' means 'standing in night.'
In the Islamic terminology, both terms refer to 'the voluntary night
prayer, whose time extends from after 'Ishaa’ (evening) prayer until
dawn.' Qiyaam al-Layl is also known as Tahajjud.
A widespread misconception is that Tahajjud is a different night prayer
than Qiyaam. The true is that there is only one voluntary night prayer
known by different names.
The excellence of night prayer:
Numerous Prophetic narrations and Quranic verses mention the excellence
of night prayer and the merit of those who perform it regularly. Allaah
The Almighty, Says (what means): "O you who wraps himself [in clothing],
arise [to pray] the night, except for a little – half of it – or
subtract from it a littleor add to it, and recite the Quran with
measured recitation."[Quran 73: 1-4]
It is reported that the Messenger of Allaah said: “Allaah, Our Lord,
descends (in a manner befitting His Majesty) to the nearest heaven to us
of this universe during the last third of the night and says: ‘Is there
anyone to call upon Me so that I shall respond to him (fulfill his
prayer). Is there anyone to ask of Me that I may grant his request. Is
there anyone to seek My forgiveness so that I shall pardon him (and
forgive his sins)’.” [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]
Aa'ishah reported that the Prophet said: “The most beloved deeds to
Allaah are the most constant, even if they were little” [Al-Bukhaari and
Muslim], and she said in another narration: “Do not ever stop praying
Qiyaam. The Prophet never ceased praying it. When he was sick or weak,
he prayed sitting.” [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]
The Messenger of Allaah in another Hadeeth, said: "The closest one can
be to Allaah The Almighty, is during the last third of the night. If one
can remember Allaah The Almighty, at this time let him do so."
[At-Tirmithi, An-Nasaa'i and Al-Haaqim]
The Prophet also said: “You should pray Qiyaam al-Layl, for it is the
habit of the righteous people who came before you, and it will bring you
closer to your Lord, expiate for bad deeds, prevent sin, and expel
disease from the body.”[At-Tirmithi and Ahmad]
Mu'ath Ibn Jabal narrated that the Prophet said to him: “May I show you
the gates of goodness?' (They are) “Fasting is screen from Hell, charity
extinguishes the sins as water extinguishes fire, standing in prayer by
a slave of Allaah during the last third part of a night.” Then the
Prophet recited this verse (what means):“They arise from [their] beds;
they supplicate their Lord in fear and aspiration…" (Quran 32: 16) [Abu
Daawood and At-Tirmithi]
Abu Hurayrah reported that the Messenger of Allaah said: “The best of
prayer after those prescribed (i.e. obligatory prayer) is that in the
depth of night.” [Muslim]
Abu Hurayrah also reported that the Messenger of Allaah said: “May
Allaah have mercy on a man who wakes up at night, prays, and wakes his
wife to pray; and if she refuses, he sprinkles water on her face. And
may Allaah have mercy on a woman who wakes up at night, prays, and wakes
her husband to pray; and if he refuses, she sprinkles water on his
face.” [Abu Daawood]
Abdullaah Ibn Bashr reported Allaah's Messenger saying: “Whoever prays
night prayer reciting ten verses, he will not be recorded among the
negligent. Whoever prays night prayer reciting one hundred verses, he
will be recorded among the devout. And whoever prays night prayer
reciting one thousand verses, he will be recorded among those with a
multitude of good deeds.”[Abu Daawood]
Again, the Prophet said: "Verily, there is one hour during the (entire)
night when any Muslim (submitting to the Will of Allaah the Almighty)
may call upon Allaah and request anything of Him, regardless of whether
the matter be worldly or of the hereafter. Allaah, theAlmighty will
grant and fulfill the request. This is the case every night." [Muslim]
Those who regularly perform the night prayers are the righteous and are
more deserving of Allaah's bounty and mercy. Allaah Says (what means):
"Indeed, the righteous will be among gardens and springs,accepting what
their Lord has given them. Indeed, they were before that doers of
good.They used to sleep but little of the night,and in the hours before
dawn they would ask forgiveness." [Quran 51: 15-18]
Allaah Says that those who do not possess these qualities cannot be
treated as equal to those who possess them. He The Almighty Says (what
means): "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.''[Quran 39: 9]
Etiquettes of night prayer:
The following acts are Sunnah (recommended) for the one who wishes to
perform the night prayers. Upon going to sleep, one should make the
intention to perform the prayers. Abu Ad-Dardaa' related that the
Prophet said: "Whoever goes to his bed with the intention of getting up
and praying during the night, and sleep overcomes him until the morning
comes, he will have recorded for him what he had intended, and his sleep
will be a charity for him from his Lord."[An-Nasaa'i and Ibn Maajah]
Upon waking, one should wipe one's face, use a Miswaak (toothstick), and
make this supplication: "There is no god but You, Glory be to You, I
seek forgiveness from You for my sins, and I ask for Your mercy. O
Allaah, increase my knowledge and let my heart not swerve after You have
guided me, and bestow mercy upon me from Yourself. All praise be to
Allaah who has given us back life after our death and unto Him is the
resurrection."
Then, one should recite the last ten verses of chapter 'Al-'Imraan',
then one should say, "O Allaah, to You belongs the praise. You are the
Light of the heavens and the earth and what is therein. And to You
belongs the praise. You are the truth and Your promise is true. And the
meeting with You is true. And the paradise is true. And the Fire is
true. And the prophets are true. And Muhammad is true. And the Hour is
true. O Allaah, to You have I submitted. And in You have I believed. And
in You have I put my trust. And to You have I turned. And by You I
argue. And to You do I turn for my decisions. Forgive me of my former
and latter sins, and those done in private and those done in public. You
are Allaah, there is no god besides You."
One should begin the night prayer with two quick Rak'ahs and then may
pray whatever he wishes after that. 'Aa'ishah said: "When the Prophet
prayed during the late-night, he would begin his prayers with two quick
Rak'ahs." [Muslim]
The recommended time for night prayer:
The night prayer may be performed in the early part of the night, the
middle part of the night, or the latter part of the night, but after the
obligatory 'Ishaa' (evening) prayer.
Anas described the prayer of the Prophet as: "If we wanted to see him
praying during the night, we could see him praying. If we wanted to see
him sleeping during the night, we could see him sleeping. And sometimes
he would fast for so many days that we thought he would not leave
fasting throughout that month. And sometimes he would not fast (for so
many days) that we thought he would not fast during that month."
[Al-Bukhaari, Ahmad and An-Nasaa' i]
Commenting on this subject, Ibn Hajar said: "There was no specific time
in which the Prophet would perform his night prayer, but he would do
whatever was easiest for him."
Best time for night prayer:
It is best to delay this prayer to the last third portion of the night.
Abu Hurayrah reported that the Prophet said: "Our Lord descends to the
lowest heaven during the last third of the night, inquiring: 'Who will
call on Me so that I may respond to him? Who is asking something of Me
so I may give it to him? Who is asking for My forgiveness so I may
forgive him?"'
'Amr Ibn Abasah reported that he heard the Prophet say: "The closest
that a slave comes to his Lord is during the middle of the latter
portion of the night. If you can be among those who remember Allaah, the
Exalted One, at that time then do so." [Al-Haakim, At-Tirmithi and
An-Nasaa'i]
The number of Rak'ahs (units of prayer) to be performed during night prayer:
The night prayer does not entail a specific number of Rak'ahs which must
be performed nor is there any maximum limit which has to be performed.
It would be fulfilled even if one just prayed one Rak'ah of Witr after
the obligatory night prayer.
Samurah Ibn Jundub said: "The Messenger of Allaah ordered us to pray
during the night, a little or a lot, and to make the last of the prayer
the Witr prayer." [At-Tabaraani and Al-Bazzaar]
It is preferable to pray eleven or thirteen Rak'ahs for night prayer:
One may choose between praying them all together or to separate them.
'Aa'ishah said: "The Messenger of Allaah never prayed more than eleven
Rak'ahs, during Ramadhaan or otherwise. He would pray four Rak'ahs, and
don't ask about how excellent they were or how lengthy they were. Then,
he would pray four Rak'ahs, and don't ask about how excellent they were
or how lengthy they were. Then, he would pray three Rak'ahs. I asked: 'O
Messenger of Allaah, do you sleep before praying Witr?' He replied: 'O
'Aa'ishah, my eyes sleep but my heart does not sleep."' [Al-Bukhaari and
Muslim]
'Aa'ishah said: "The prayer of the Messenger of Allaah during the night
would be ten Rak'ahs and then he would make Witr with one Rak'ah."
source :huda channel website