The Significance of Qiyamul Layl and How To be Consistent with It

And during a part of the night, wake up and pray as an extra offering of your own, so that your Lord may raise you to a highly praised status. Qur’an 17[Al-Isra]:79

Qiyamul Layl is an Arabic term that literally means to stand at night. In the light of worship, it means to spend a part of the night praying to Allah. It is also called Tahajjud which involves recitation, bowing, prostrating and supplications. It’s a form of remembrance of the Creator and a blessed opportunity to harness rewards in manifolds. The late-night prayer and its blessings transcend into our daily life inconspicuously.

It was reported that the Prophet (Peace be upon him) used to pray at night till his feet got swollen. When he was approached about why he did this, he said: ‘shouldn’t I be a thankful slave?’. This tells that Qiyamul Layl is a form of expressing gratitude to your Lord. He (PBUH) then went further to admonish the Muslims: “You should pray qiyaam al-layl, for it is the custom of the righteous who came before you and it brings you closer to your Lord, and expiates sins and prevents misdeeds.” — At-Tirmidhi

The Benefits

Among the merits we can find in standing up at night to remember Allah is contentment, humility, and fulfillment. No one wants their sleep distorted if it’s not something crucial or beneficial. So it is only The One Who gave you life that can consistently request a precious time like that for devoted worship. This, in turn, gives you reward and a feeling of your prayers been accepted after observance. You really can’t understand what this feels like until you try it consistently.

1. It’s the best prayer: We know the night prayers aren’t mandatory, but they are highly recommended. Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said: “The best prayer after the obligatory ones, is the prayer of the night.” — Muslim
2. It brings you closer to your Lord: Allah’s Messenger informed us that the Most Great One, comes down to the nearest heaven in the last part of the night. He then calls upon His servants: ‘‘Who will call upon Me, that I may answer Him? Who will ask of Me, that I may give him? Who will seek My forgiveness, that I may forgive him?” — Bukhari and Muslim
3. It’s a highly recommended sunnah: This is actually one of the most recommended acts by Allah to His Messenger. He commanded him to stand and pray all night except a little. The messengers before him also did as well as the companions. This is a huge opportunity to harness enormous rewards.
4. A means of entering Paradise: In one of the ahadith, Allah’s Messenger PBUH said: “O people, spread the salaam, and give food, and pray at night when the people are sleeping; you will enter Paradise in peace (and safety).” — Ibn Majah and Tirmidhi
5. A period to improve your memorization: The night prayer is an opportunity for you to rehearse what you’ve memorized of the Qur’an. You find tranquility and lesser distractions.

Abdullah ibn Umar Radhiallahu Anhu narrated that the Messenger of Allah PBUH said: “If the companion of the Qur’an (i.e. one memorizing it) recites it by night and by day, then it won’t be forgotten (or he won’t be forgetful of it).” — Saheeh Muslim

Keeping Up

The goal of Tahajjud is not a do today and abandon tomorrow. It’s like a marathon, not a sprint. So you start easy, gain momentum and build up along the line. Remember the best of deeds are those done consistently no matter how small. I hope these few tips will help in sha Allah:

• Make the intention to pray before going to bed: As we know, actions are judged by intention. The good part of this is even if you fail to wake up to pray, you will still earn a reward for having the intention by Allah’s Mercy.
• Go to sleep early: From the practice of the prophet is to go to sleep after observing solatul isha’. The quicker you sleep, the earlier you rise with the ability to get up and pray.
• Don’t be too comfortable while asleep: Once you set your mind to pray at night, you will likely wake up intermittently. Consciously set your alarm to wake at a certain time or ask someone to wake you up when its time.
• Sleep in a state of wudoo’: This is a highly encouraging sunnah. Having ablution to bed is a form of blessing for your sleep. You earn rewards as this is counted for you as an act of worship.
• Avoid eating late at night: I’m not saying you shouldn’t have supper, but don’t make it a habit to eat right before going to bed. This will make it difficult for your body and mind to get up when it’s time to pray.

Tahajjud is an act of worship that connects the heart to its Creator. It enables it to overcome the temptations of life and to strive against one’s desires. This is at a period when eyes are asleep, and sleepers are tossing and turning in the comfort of their beds. Qiyam Al-Layl is one of the measures of sincere determination and a quality of those who have great ambitions. Make it a habit to rise and pray in the early hours before dawn. Remember, it’s not how much you can accomplish at a time. It’s how consistent you can be, even if it’s just two raka’t every night. May Allah grant us the strength and ability to be consistent with this good act.

Is the 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?’ It is only men of understanding who will remember. — Qur’an 39[Az-Zumar]:9

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