The Seeking Of Truth

Dear Brother’s and Sister’s,

I would like to share with you some narrations and even an ayat from the Quran to talk to you about the blessings, importance, and benefits of tahajjud prayer( the night prayer). Even though this is not a mandatory prayer, this is the prayer, after the fard(mandatory), as regarded with the highest standard. I know it is hard to wake up for tahajjud and I am guilty of myself for not trying to wake up for tahajjud as much as I should. This prayer is so special and so magnificent that once you read the Quran ayat and all the hadiths that Insha’Allah we will all try to incorporate this prayer in our lives.

Here is the Quran ayat about praying in the night:

“Establish prayer at the decline of the sun [from its meridian] until the darkness of the night and [also] the Qur’an of dawn. Indeed, the recitation of dawn is ever witnessed.And from [part of] the night, pray with it as additional [worship] for you; it is expected that your Lord will resurrect you to a praised station.” (Surah Isra, 17:78-79).

Here are some hadiths about tahajjud:

Abu Hurairah reports that the Messenger of Allah (saws) 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?”[ Bukhari and Muslim.]

Abdullah ibn `Amr reports that the Prophet (saws) said: “The most beloved fast to Allah is the fast of (Prophet) Dawood (a.s.). And the most beloved prayer to Allah is the prayer of (Prophet) Dawood (a.s.). He (Prophet Dawood (a.s.)) would sleep half of the night and then pray during the next third of the night and then sleep during the last sixth of the night.And he would fast one day and not fast the next.”[ Bukhari and Muslim.]

Abu Hurayra (Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace be upon him, his family, and companions) said, “The best prayer after the obligatory prayers is the night prayer.”[Muslim]

Abd Allah ibn Salam (Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace be upon him, his family, and companions) said, “O people! Spread the salams, feed others, maintain family ties, and pray at night when others sleep and you will enter Heaven safely.”[Tirmidhi, Hakim]

Narrated Al-Mughira: The Prophet(SAW) used to stand (in the prayer) or pray till both his feet or legs swelled. He was asked why (he offered such an unbearable prayer) and he said, “should I not be a thankful slave.” [Bukahri]

Narrated Salim’s father: In the life-time of the Prophet(SAW) whosoever saw a dream would narrate it to Allah’s Apostle(SAW). I had a wish of seeing a dream to narrate it to Allah’s Apostle (p.b.u.h) I was a grown up boy and used to sleep in the Mosque in the life-time of the Prophet. I saw in the dream that two angels caught hold of me and took me to the Fire which was built all round like a built well and had two poles in it and the people in it were known to me. I started saying, “I seek refuge with Allah from the Fire.” Then I met another angel who told me not to be afraid. I narrated the dream to Hafsa who told it to Allah’s Apostle(SAW). The Prophet(SAW) said, “Abdullah is a good man. I wish he prayed Tahajjud.” After that ‘Abdullah (i.e. Salim’s father) used to sleep but a little at night.  [Bukhari]

Narrated ‘Aisha: Allah’s Apostle(SAW) used to offer eleven Rakat and that was his prayer. He used to prolong the prostration to such an extent that one could recite fifty verses (of the Quran) before he would lift his head. He used to pray two Rakat (Sunna) before the Fajr prayer and then used to lie down on his right side till the call-maker came and informed him about the prayer.  [Bukhari]

As you can see there are an enormous amount of blessings and the great importance to this prayer. Insha’Allah we all turn back to Allah(SWT) and ask for forgiveness, guidance, protection, and Junnah-al-Firdaus.