Benefits of Night Prayer
Allah – the Exalted – has established the practice of night prayer (Qiyam al-Layl) as a confirmed Sunnah for His servants each night. However, the reward for this act differs between the Prophet Muhammad – peace be upon him – and other Muslims. Allah has forgiven the Prophet for both past and future sins, thus making all his acts of obedience and worship voluntary, while for other Muslims, night prayer serves to erase sins and elevate ranks. It is regarded as the best prayer after the obligatory ones. Abu Huraira narrated that the Prophet – peace be upon him – said: “The best prayer after the obligatory prayer is the night prayer.” Additionally, Allah has mentioned: “And from the night, pray with it as additional (worship) for you. Perhaps your Lord will elevate you to a praised station.” The act of praying at night has numerous impacts and benefits, which are outlined below:
- Elimination of fear and sorrow, along with the attainment of great rewards.
- Facilitation in achieving worldly and heavenly goals, drawing closer to Allah, and expiating sins, as night prayer is the best prayer after the obligatory ones.
- Gaining the love and protection of Allah – the Exalted – a mark of the righteous servants of Allah, and a characteristic of the virtuous. Allah – the Exalted – states: “Indeed, the righteous will be in gardens and springs; receiving what their Lord has given them. Indeed, they were before that doers of good; they used to hardly sleep at night.”
- Forgiveness of sins, a means for prayers to be answered, protection from temptation, and the promise of Paradise while being saved from Hellfire. Allah has favored His devoted servants, saying: “Is one who devotes himself to worship during the night, standing and prostrating, fearing the Hereafter and hoping for the mercy of his Lord (equal to others)? Say, ‘Are those who know equal to those who do not know? Only they will remember who are people of understanding.’
- Enhanced physical vitality, as the Prophet – peace be upon him – stated: “The devil ties three knots at the back of the head of one of you when he sleeps, striking each knot, ‘You have a long night, so sleep.’ If he awakens and remembers Allah, one knot is untied; if he performs ablution, another knot is untied; if he prays, the final knot is untied. Therefore, he will awaken energetic and pleasant, otherwise he will awaken sluggish and unpleasant.” Moreover, the Prophet disapproved of a man who sleeps throughout the night.
- The Prophet – peace be upon him – advised his daughter Fatimah and her husband Ali to emphasize night prayer, encouraging all couples to cooperate in this regard, saying: “May Allah have mercy on a man who prays at night and wakes his wife to pray; and if she refuses, he should sprinkle water on her face. Likewise, may Allah have mercy on a woman who prays at night and wakes her husband; if he refuses, she should sprinkle water on his face.”
- Facilitation for the servant who has stood before Allah at night when all others stand before Him on the Day of Judgment, easing their life and granting them success in their endeavors. Allah states: “And those who strive for Us, We will guide them in Our ways, and indeed, Allah is with the good-doers.”
- Night prayer encourages the individual to refrain from immorality and sin, aiding in resisting wrongdoing.
- Allah’s rewarding of His devoted servants with a reward known only to Him, as they engage in this worship in secret, unseen by others. Allah states: “No soul knows what has been hidden for them of comfort in the eye as a reward for what they used to do.”
Factors Supporting Night Prayer
Several factors can assist a Muslim in maintaining the practice of night prayer, as outlined below:
- Understanding the status of the devoted servants who perform night prayers and the tremendous rewards Allah has prepared for them, highlighting how this dedication distinguishes them from others, and recognizing night prayer as a contributing factor in placing them among the righteous servants of Allah.
- Being aware of the devil’s plots and his desire for destructive outcomes for Allah’s servants; Ibn Mas’ud reported a case to the Messenger of Allah regarding a man who slept through the night, to which the Prophet remarked, “That is a man in whom the devil urinated in his ears.”
- Reflecting on death and the brevity of life, which encourages diligence in actions and a departure from laziness. Ibn Umar reported that the Messenger of Allah took me by the shoulders and said: “Be in this world as if you were a stranger or a wayfarer.”
- Striving to utilize one’s health and free time for acts of worship and voluntary prayers, ensuring their performance during old age or times of inability.
- Prioritizing sleep immediately after the obligatory evening prayer and avoiding staying up late, as early sleep provides energy to rise early for prayers. The importance of maintaining sleep etiquette, including performing ablution, praying two units, and reciting protective surahs, is also emphasized. Additionally, being cautious not to indulge in excessive food and sin, and taking daytime naps are recommended.
- Loving Allah – the Exalted – maintaining a pure heart, and embracing detachment from worldly affairs.
Optimal Times for Night Prayer
Night prayer can be performed at the beginning or the middle of the night; however, its optimal time is during the last third of the night. Anas ibn Malik – may Allah be pleased with him – narrated: “The Messenger of Allah would break his fast during the month until we would think that he would not fast, and he would fast until we would think that he would not break his fast. There was no time at night that you would wish to see him praying except that you would see him, neither resting nor sleeping.” This indicates the ample time available for night prayer, facilitating its observance among Muslims. The evidence for the best time being the last third of the night comes from the Prophet’s statement to Amr ibn Abasa: “The closest that the Lord comes to His servant is during the last third of the night. If you can be among those who remember Allah during that hour, then do so.” This was also the practice of Prophet Dawood – peace be upon him – since this time signifies Allah’s descent to the lowest heaven, where He bestows mercy and favors. It is recommended to combine prayer with seeking forgiveness during night prayer, with the duration of the last third varying depending on the length of the night.