7 Practical Tips for praying Qiyaam al- Layl

References
‘The Night Prayers’ by Muhammad Nasir ud-Deen al-Albanee (rahimahullah)

As-Sunnah Islamic Newsletter Issue 15

 

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 Isha prayer until dawn.' Other common names for Qiyaam al-Layl are, Salaat ul-Layl (the night prayer), Tahajjud (from hajada meaning remained awake at night), Witr (odd-numbered this term is also used to refer to the last one or three Raka'ah of Qiyaam) and Taraweeh (resting).

A widespread misconception is that Tahajjud is a different night prayer than Qiyaam or Taraweeh. It is important to clarify this misunderstanding and to make clear that there is only one nafl night prayer known by different names. Even though the term Taraweeh is more commonly used to describe the night prayer in Ramadan, it is not different from Tahajjud. Thus, the practice of praying Taraweeh in the earlier part of the night and Tahajjud in the later part should be stopped.

The Excellence of Qiyaam al-Layl

Numerous Ahaadeeth and Qur'aanic verses mention the excellence of Qiyaam al-Layl and the merit of those who perform it regularly. Umm al-Mumineen, Aa'ishah (radhi allahu anha) reported that the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: “The most beloved deeds to Allah are the most constant, even if they were little.” [Saheeh al-Bukharee and Saheeh Muslim] and she said in another narration: “Do not ever stop praying Qiyaam. The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) never ceased praying it. When he was sick or weak, he prayed sitting.” [Saheeh al-Bukharee and Saheeh Muslims] He (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) 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-Tirmidhee and Musnad Ahmad]

Narrated Mu'adh Ibn Jabal (radhi allahu anhu): 'The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said to him: “May I show you the gates of goodness?' (they are), “(a) Fasting is screen from Hell, (b) As-Sadaqah extinguishes the sins, as water extinguishes fire, (c) Standing in Salaat (prayer) by a slave of Allah during the last third part of a night.” Then the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) recited the verse: “Their (believer's) sides forsake their beds, to invoke their Lord in fear and hope; and they spend out of what We have bestowed on them.”' [Abu Dawood and at-Tirmidhee]

Abu Hurayrah (radhi allahu anhu) reported that Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: “The best of prayer after those prescribed (i.e. obligatory prayer) is that in the depth of night.” [Saheeh Muslims]

Abu Hurayrah (radhi allahu anhu) reported that Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: “May Allah 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 Allah 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.” [(Hasan) Abu Dawood ]

Abdullah Ibn Bashr (radhi allahu anhu) reported Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) saying: “Whoever prays Qiyaam reciting ten verses, he will not be recorded among the negligent. Whoever prays Qiyaam reciting one hundred verses, he will be recorded among the devout. And whoever prays Qiyaam reciting one thousand verses, he will be recorded among those with a multitude of good deeds.” [(Hasan) Abu Dawood]

7 Practical Tips for praying Qiyaam al-Layl

1: Ikhlas (Sincerity) - the key to Allah's Help and Blessings

Help of Allah is needed to accomplish and achieve success in all our affairs. And Allah only helps those who are sincere in their hearts. The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: “If you are truthful with Allah, then Allah will deliver to you what you wish for.” [An-Nasa'ee, al-Hakim and Saheeh al-Jamee] Therefore, one should have a sincere intention to pray Qiyaam al-Layl; seek the Pleasure of Allah Alone and avoid the desire of praise or fame. Allah says: “And they were commanded not, but that they should worship Allah, and worship none but Him Alone…” [(98): 5]
Imam Ibn al-Qayyim said: “The degree to which a person is helped and aided by Allah depends on the degree of his intention, drive, aim and hopes. Help from Allah comes to people in proportion to their drive, intention, hopes and fears, and failure comes to them in like manner.”

2: Knowing the Virtues of Qiyaam al-Layl

Knowing the virtues and rewards of performing worship produces willingness and desire to perform the worship. We have previously mentioned numerous virtues of regularly praying Qiyaam al-Layl, here we mention the excellence of praying Qiyaam al-Layl particularly in the great month of Ramadan. Abu Hurayrah (radhi allahu anhu) reported: “Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) encouraged the people, without making it an absolute command, to perform Qiyaam during Ramadan. He (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) used to say: “Whoever stands (in Qiyaam) in Ramadan out of faith and expectation (of Allah's reward), all his previous sins will be forgiven.” [Saheeh Muslim]

3: Taking a nap in the daytime

Taking a nap before or after Dhur Salaat will dismiss the stress and thus enable one to get up in the night and stand in front of his Lord. The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: “Take a nap, for the Shayateen (pl. of Shaytan) do not take naps.” [Reported by at-Tabaranee. Al-Saheehah (2647)]

4: Sleeping according to the Sunnah of Allah's Messenger

(a) Sleep early: Sleeping early is a healthy habit and it was the practice of Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) to sleep directly after performing the Isha prayer. Abu Barzah al-Aslami (radhi allahu anhu) said that the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) used to prefer to delay Isha, and he did not like to sleep before it or talk after it.” [Saheeh al-Bukharee]

(b) Sleep in a state of taharah (purity): Ibn Abbas (radhi allahu anhu) reported that Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: “Purify these bodies and Allah will purify you, for there is no slave who goes to sleep in a state of purity but an Angel spends the night with him, and every time he turns over, [the Angel] says, 'O Allah! Forgive Your slave, for he went to bed in a state of purity.'” [Reported by at-Tabaranee. See Saheeh al-Jamee (3831)]

(c) Choose a suitable bed: Excessive luxurious or soft bed provokes laziness and makes one sleep more and become negligent. Aa'ishah (radhi allahu anha) narrates that the pillow of the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) on which he slept at night was made of leather stuffed with palm fibers.” [Abu Dawood and Musnad Ahmad. Saheeh al-Jamee (4714)]

Once Umar Ibn al-Khattab (radhi allahu anhu) entered upon the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) when he was lying on a mat of palm fibers that had left marks on his side. Umar (radhi allahu anhu) said: “O Messenger of Allah, why do you not get something more comfortable than this?” He (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: “What do I have to do with this world? My relationship with this world is like that of a traveler on a hot summer's day, who seeks shade under a tree for an hour, then moves on.” [Musnad Ahmad and al-Hakim. Saheeh al-Jamee (5545)]

(d) Cleaning the bed and lying on the right side
Abu Hurayrah (radhi allahu anhu) reported: “The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: “When any one of you goes to bed, let him clear his bed by hitting it with his garment, for he does not know what may have come onto it. Then let him lie down on his right side…” [Saheeh al-Bukharee and Saheeh Muslim]

(e) Reciting the Adhkaar (supplications) mentioned in the Sunnah before sleeping
There are a number of Adhkaar prescribed in the Sunnah before going to bed, amongst them are reciting the last verses of Soorah al-Baqarah, reciting Soorah al-Falaq and Soorah al-Nas and Soorah Ikhlas blow in the palms and wipe as much of the body possible, starting from the head, face and then the front of the body doing it three times. [Saheeh al-Bukharee and Saheeh Muslim]

Ali Ibn Abi Talib (radhi allahu anhu) reported that when the Prophet's daughter, Fatima (radhi allahu anha) came to him and asked him for a servant, he (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said to her and Ali: “Shall I not teach you something that will be better for you than a servant? When you go to bed, say 'SubhanAllah' thirty-three times, 'Al-hamdulillah' thirty-three times, and 'Allahu Akbar' thirty-four times. This is better for you than a servant.” [Saheeh al-Bukharee and Saheeh Muslim]

5: Avoid too much food and drink

Too much food or drink is one of the main obstacles that make one lazy and negligent of Qiyaam al-Layl. The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: “Man fills no vessel worse than his stomach. It is sufficient for the son of Adam to have a few mouthfuls to give him the strength he needs. If he has to fill his stomach, then let him leave one-third for food, one-third for drink and one-third for air.” [Reported by at-Tirmidhee and Ibn Majah. Saheeh al-Jamee (5674)]

Abu Juhayfah (radhi allahu anhu) reported that the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said to a man who burped in his presence: “Stop your burping, for the people who eat the most in this life will be the most hungry on the Day of Resurrection.” [Reported by al-Hakim. Saheeh al-Jamee (1190)]

6: Striving against oneself:

Striving against oneself to get up and pray and suppressing one's desires bring about Allah's help and His Pleasure for the slave. Allah says in the Qur'aan: “Strive in Allah's Cause as you ought to strive…” [Soorah al-Hajj (25): 78] “And as for those who strive hard in Our Cause, We will surely guide them to Our Paths. And verily, Allah is with the Muhsinoon (good-doers).” [ (29): 69]

The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: “The Mujahid (one who strives in way of Allah) is the one who strives against his own self for the sake of Allah.” [Reported by al-Tirmidhee. See al-Saheehah (549)]

He (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) also said: “When a man from my Ummah gets up to pray at night, striving against his own self to get up and purify himself, there are knots on him. When he washes his hands in wudhu, one knot is undone. When he washes his face, another knot is undone. When he wipes his head another knot is undone. When he washes his feet, another knot is undone. Then Allah says to those who are veiled (in the Unseen): 'Look at this slave of Mine, he is striving against his own self and asking of Me. Whatever My slave asks of Me shall be his.” [Musnad Ahmad. See Saheeh al-Targheeb (627)]

7: Rebuking one's self for not praying Qiyaam al-Layl

Qiyaam al-Layl is a great blessing from Allah, the Exalted, and He has placed in it numerous spiritual benefits and rewards for the believer. Therefore, one should rebuke one's self, if he misses this great opportunity of achieving rewards and Pleasure of Allah. Allah says in the Qur'aan: “O you who believe! Fear Allah and keep your duty to Him. And let every person look to what he has sent forth for the morrow, and fear Allah. Verily, Allah is All-Aware of what you do.” [(59): 18]
Imam Ibn al-Qayyim (rahimahullah) said: “If the slave is responsible and accountable for everything, even his hearing, sight and innermost thoughts, as Allah says, “…Verily, hearing, sight, and the heart of each of you will be questioned by Allah.” [Soorah al-Isra (17): 36], then he should check on himself before he is brought to account.”

Shaykh Muhammad Baazmool on the Legislated Number of Rak'ahs of Witr, the Night Prayer (Qiyaam Al-Layl)

QUESTION

I understand that the qiyaam al-layl (the night prayer) has to be a certain number of rak'ahs. Could you clarify the correct position in this issue, including a discussion of the different opinions of the scholars? May Allaah reward you much.

ANSWER by Shaykh Muhammad 'Umar Baazmool, professor of higher studies at Umm Al-Quraa University in Makkah

The scholars view qiyaam al-layl (the night prayer) to be from the optional acts of worship that are muqayyad (restricted). And its restriction is that the reports concerning it show that it is legislated to be performed at a certain time, and it also is legislated to be performed in a certain manner. Furthermore, they differed over the issue: Does it have a set number of rak'ahs or not?

The reason for this differing can be found in the hadeeth of the Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam), when a man came to him and asked him about the night prayer, saying, "O Messenger of Allaah, how do I pray at night?" He (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) replied:

"The night prayer is (to be prayed) two by two." [1]

So based on this, some of the scholars have said that there is no limit to the number of rak'ahs to be prayed as night prayer, while they still viewed it to be a restricted form of optional worship.

Those who have said that this hadeeth is not a proof for the absence of a limit say, "Because the questioner only asked about how to pray the night prayer, and he did not ask about the number of its rak'ahs." Furthermore, they stated that the phrase used by the Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam), "Mathnaa, mathnaa (two by two)," only refers to the basic description of something, and it is not something used to define a set number. Thus, these scholars say that this hadeeth is not a proof for the issue of whether or not there is a limit to the number of rak'ahs that can be prayed.

When we return to the Sunnah of the Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam), to his actions, we find that 'Aa'ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) has said, when she was asked about the Messenger's (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) night prayers, "He did not pray more than 11 rak'ahs in Ramadhaan or in other than Ramadhaan." [2]

So it is known from this hadeeth, a hadeeth that is agreed upon (by Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim), that the Witr of the Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) and his night prayer, that which is referred to as salaat al-layl or qiyaam al-layl, that which is referred to in Ramadhaan as salaat at-taraaweeh and sometimes salaat al-qiyaam, was only 11 rak'ahs.

However, it has been authentically established that (some of) the Companions prayed more than 11 rak'ahs. Some of them prayed 21, and others prayed more. This action of the Companions (may Allaah be pleased with them) must have been based upon a Sunnah, since this is an affair of worship.

Based on this, I say that a person has options as to how he can pray his night prayers. If a person wants to pray 11 rak'ahs of night prayer, then he may do so. And whoever wants to pray 21, then he may do so. And whoever wants to pray more or less than that, then he may do so. This is since the Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) alluded to the act of making Witr with 3, 5 or 7 rak'ahs. He said:

"Make Witr with three (rak'ahs), but do not make it like Maghrib." [3]

And he (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) said:

"Perform Witr with three (rak'ahs), and perform Witr with five (rak'ahs)." [4]

And it is authentically established, on the authority of Mu'aawiyah, that the Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) performed Witr by praying a single rak'ah. [5]

So then all of these options, in shaa' Allaah, are legislated and, thus, permissible. The Muslim may:

(a) Perform Witr by praying a single rak'ah;

(b) Perform Witr by praying three rak'ahs;

(c) Perform Witr by praying five rak'ahs;

(d) Perform Witr by praying seven rak'ahs;

(e) Perform Witr by praying nine rak'ahs;

(f) Perform Witr by praying 11 rak'ahs.

And 11 rak'ahs was the most prayed by the Messenger. However, as you know, the Sunnah of the Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) consists of statements, actions, and approvals. The Sunnah based on his own actions is no more than 11 rak'ahs, however, we say: The action of the Companions, when they prayed more than 11 rak'ahs, shows that there exists another (variety of the) Sunnah, perhaps it was from the approval of the Messenger, or perhaps it was from a statement of his that did not reach us, since they understood that one could pray more than 11 rak'ahs, and thus they prayed more than 11 rak'ahs.

So this makes the Sunnah of his action 11 rak'ahs. Furthermore, we can say that the Sunnah, in general, shows the permissibility of praying more than 11 rak'ahs as well.

Thus, we can express the fiqh of this issue with the following phrase: The most virtuous thing to do is restrict oneself to 11 rak'ahs, but is if one adds to that, then it is permissible. Adding to 11 rak'ahs is permissible, based on the general application of the Sunnah, by way of the actions of the Companions, may Allaah be pleased with them. This is what is related to qiyaam al-layl.

It is also important to make note of another issue, that the night prayer is an optional form of worship that is maqayyad (restricted). Here is a question: Is it permissible for a Muslim to pray something other than salaat al-layl at night, just some general optional prayers?

The answer: Yes, as general optional prayers have no set limit. Let me give you an example so as to clarify the difference between the two. The Sunnah prayers throughout the day are:

(a) Two rak'ahs before Thuhr, two rak'ahs after Thuhr, two rak'ahs after Maghrib, two rak'ahs after 'Eshaa', and two rak'ahs before Fajr;

(b) Or four rak'ahs before Thuhr, four rak'ahs after Thuhr, (along with the above);

(c) Or four rak'ahs before Thuhr, two rak'ahs after Thuhr, (along with the above);

(d) Or four rak'ahs before 'Asr (along with the above);

This is all based upon what has come in the narrations. So let us say that a man has prayed all of these prayers already, or even if he did not pray them, and he wants to pray some other additional optional prayers, wihtout intending them to be from the established rawaatib (daily Sunnah prayers), then we say: It is permissible for him to do that, whether it is at night or during the day.

However, do not stand up, intending to pray the rawaatib (daily Sunnah prayers), and then add to them. No, as the rawaatib (daily Sunnah prayers) have a set limit, set times, and set numbers of rak'ahs.

And similarly is the night prayer. If you want to pray some general optional prayers at night, then pray however you like. [6] But if you want to pray salaat al-layl, then you must pray according to the limits legislated by the Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) related to the time of the prayer and its description. And as far as the number of rak'ahs is concerned, then, as I mentioned, what has been related from the Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam), based on the generality of His Sunnah, is that there is no specific limit to the number of its rak'ahs.

SOURCE

This was translated exclusively for www.bakkah.net from a cassette recording with the knowledge and permission of the shaykh, file no. AAMB037, dated 1423/8/17. 

FOOTNOTES

[1] From an authentic hadeeth collected by Al-Bukhaaree (#473, 1/701 of Fat-hul-Baaree), Muslim (#1746, 3/273 of Sharh An-Nawawee), and others, on the authority of Ibn 'Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him).

The full text of Al-Bukhaaree's version is: A man came to the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) while he was delivering a khutbah, and said, "How is the night prayer (prayed)?" He replied:

"Two by two, and when you fear the (coming of the) morning, then perform Witr by praying one rak'ah. It will be a Witr for you for everything you have prayed."

[2] From an authentic hadeeth collected by Al-Bukhaaree (#473, 1/701 of Fat-hul-Baaree), Muslim (#2013, 4/310 of Sharh An-Nawawee), and others, on the authority of Ibn 'Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him).

[3] In his book, Bughyatul-Mutatawwi' (p.56), the shaykh said, "It was collected by Al-Haakim in his Mustadrak (1/314), and he called it saheeh according to their (Al-Bukhaaree's and Muslim's) conditions. It was also collected by At-Tahaawee in Sharh Ma'aanee Al-Aathaar (1/292). And Al-Albaanee declared it to be saheeh in Salaat At-Taraaweeh (p.85)."

[4] I was not able to find this exact wording, however it is similar to an authentic hadeeth collected by An-Nasaa'ee in his Sunan (#1711), on the authority of Aboo Ayyoob Al-Ansaaree (may Allaah be pleased with him), who said that the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) said:

"Witr is something established, so whoever wants to perform Witr by praying five (rak'ahs), then let him do so. And whhoever wants to perform Witr by praying three (rak'ahs), then let him do so. And whoever wants to perform Witr by praying one (rak'ah), then let him do so."

Al-Albaanee declared it to be saheeh (authentic).

[5] I could not find the hadeeth being referred to here. However the shaykh, in his book, Bughyatul-Mutatawwi' (p.55), states that Witr with only one rak'ah is established by three narrations:

(a) The first one has been mentioned in footnote #1, "...Then perform Witr by praying one rak'ah..."

(b) The second one has been mentioned in footnote #4, "...And whoever wants to perform Witr by praying one (rak'ah), then let him do so."

(c) The third one has been collected by Imaam Muslim in his Saheeh (#1754, 3/274 of Sharh An-Nawawee), on the authority of Ibn 'Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him):

"Witr is a rak'ah performed in the last part of the night."

[6] For example, you do not pray qiyaam al-layl before Maghrib. Also, you do not pray anything after Witr, intending it to be qiyaam al-layl.