Most of the Ummah thinks that this particular worship is only a specialty of Ramadan. However, this Ibadah is so important that it will tell you whether you truly love Allah (swt) and whether He (swt) loves you.
It is the school of the richest people – Tahajjud. Allah (swt) says in the Quran: “Is one who is obedient to Allah, prostrating himself or standing (in prayer) during the hours of the night, fearing the Hereafter and hoping for the Mercy of his Lord (like one who disbelieves)? Say: ‘Are those who know equal to those who know not?’” (Az-Zumar 39:9)
Basically, Allah (swt) is saying: don’t you ever compare the one who makes Tahajjud and Qiyam with the one who doesn’t. The night time has the golden moments for those who long to be close to Allah (swt) and want to spend their time in privacy with Him. Prophet Muhammad (sa) said: “The best prayer after the obligatory prayers is the night prayer.” (Muslim)
Prophet Muhammad (sa) said: “May Allah (swt) be pleased with a man who gets up at night and prays and then wakes up his wife. But if she refuses to wake up, he sprinkles water on her face. May Allah (swt) bless a woman who wakes up at night and prays and wakes up her husband, and if he refuses, she sprinkles water on his face.” (Abu Dawud) Spouses who do this consistently for the sake of Allah (swt) will have the happiest marriage ever!
A man who gets up at night and prays even two Rakats is considered to be among the Zakireen. Who are the Zakireen? Allah (swt) says in Quran: “Verily, the Muslims (those who submit to Allah in Islam) men and women… who remember Allah much with their hearts and tongues, Allah has prepared for them forgiveness and a great reward (i.e. Paradise).” (Al-Ahzab 33:35)
How beautiful it is to spend the night with Allah (swt)! Some love to spend the night flipping the TV channels, browsing the internet and engaging in vain matters that probably are not Halal. Hours and hours go by. Then there are a few of the very few, who truly love Allah (swt) and choose to spend the nights with Him. The biggest indicator of Allah’s (swt) love for you is your consistency in praying Tahajjud. It is only the special people who are allowed by Allah (swt) to spend those precious moments of night with Him. Allah (swt) says: “And in some parts of the night (also) offer the Salat (prayer) with it (i.e., recite the Quran in the prayer), as an additional prayer (Tahajjud optional prayer Nawafil) for you (O Muhammad). It may be that your Lord will raise you to Maqaman Mahmuda (a station of praise and glory, i.e. the highest degree in Paradise!).” (Al-Isra 17:79)
Standing before Allah (swt) during the night time is an honor that sinners are unworthy of. Sufyan Ath-Thawri said: “For five months I couldn’t get up for the night prayers, because of a sin I committed.” Abu Jafar said: “I went to visit Ahmed ibn Yahya and I saw him crying. I asked: ‘Why are you crying?’ Ahmed said: ‘I miss night prayer.’ I told him: ‘It is alright – Allah (swt) wanted to give you rest.’” Abu Jaffar said: “The more I comforted him, the more he cried. Ahmed said: ‘No, it is because of a sin I committed.’”
Qiyam is responding to the call of Allah (swt). Prophet Muhammad (sa) said: “The Lord descends every night to the lowest part of the heaven, when one-third of night remains, and asks: ‘Is there anyone who calls upon me, so that I may answer him? Is there anyone who will ask me that I may give him? Who asks my forgiveness that I may forgive him?” (Bukhari and Muslim) How can you not respond to the call of Allah (swt) when He calls you? What a shame that Allah (swt) comes down so near only to find his slave asleep.
Qiyam must be an essential part of your life, my brothers and sisters. Night prayer is the tranquility of the believers. In order to succeed in any situation of your life, you need to succeed during the night in your spiritual connection with Allah (swt). We give parts of our lives to ourselves, our families, work, school, social events, and leisure activities. Doesn’t Allah (swt) deserve a part of our lives? Make the decision now. Make an oath right there: I am going to pray Tahajjud to the Almighty! Just try it! And by this I do not mean spending a third or half of the night praying. Wake up just ten minutes before Fajr prayer and pray Tahajjud. Cry to Allah (swt) in Sujood. Pour out your heart to Him and ask whatever you want. He is promising to give it to you.
Dua made at the time of Tahajjud is like an arrow, which does not miss its target. Have faith in Him. Feel that nearness. Waking up to pray to Him when others are snoring away is going to make Allah (swt) love you. Develop that spiritual bond and you will see your heart transform. You will feel your heart unlike you have ever felt before. You will feel peace and tranquility descend upon you. And remember, whenever you are lazy and not feel like getting up – think! Think again! It’s the Lord of the worlds that’s calling you. You need Him; He doesn’t need you.
Al-Mugheerah narrated that the Prophet (sa) used to stand (in the prayer) or pray till both his feet or legs swelled. He was asked why (he offered such unbearable prayer) and he said:” Should I not be a thankful slave.” (Bukhari)
Give yourself a push! Most importantly, pray to the Almighty to grant you the Tawfeeq to become one of those who do Qiyam and who are among the Zakireen.
Transcribed for “Hiba” by Rumaisa Naseem from an anonymous lecture on the YouTube channel “The Merciful Servant”.
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