The Significance, Effects and Guidelines of Qiyamullail

Outline

• Introduction
• What is Qiyamullail?
• Qiyamullail in the Qur’an
• Qiyamullail in the Sunnah
• The Significance of Qiyamullail in the Life of the Muslim
• The Effect of Qiyamullail on our Daily Attitudes
• Qiyamullail; the Special ‘Ibadah Upon Rasulillah, s.a.w.
• What About Us?
• Guidelines for Qiyamullail
• Conclusion

Introduction

Alhamdulillah infinitely; all praise is due to Allah. All thanks are for Allah. All good is in the Good Hands of Allah. All affairs shall return to Allah. No god but Allah. We seek His Forgiveness at all time, and to Him, alone, we repent. May His Peace and Blessings be upon Habibi Muhammad, his family members, his companions, and all those who follow his guided path.

This article comes as an extension of living the Ramadhan spirit till the next Ramadhan. It also comes as a follow up for my previous article, Qiyamullail in Ramadhan… The Experience and the Lessons. In this article, I'll reflect on Qiyamullail; its definition, Qiyamullail in Qur’an and Sunah, the significance of Qiyamullail in our lives and the effect of Qiyamullail in daily encounters. We'll also share some guidelines about Qiyamullail from the tradition of our Role Model of all time; Habibi Rasulillah s.a.w. Enjoy reading 🙂

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What is Qiyamullail?

“Qiyamullail” is an Arabic phrase, which is a combination of two words: Qiyam & Al-Lail. The term “Qiyam” means ‘standing’ or ‘being active doing something’, whereby “Al-Lail” means night. The phrase “Qiyamullail”, therefore, refers to any Solat performed after Isha prayers. This includes Taraweeh and Tahajjud. However, “Taraweeh”, which is also an Arabic word, is mainly performed immediately after Isya prayers during the month of Ramadhan, while Tahajjud, another Arabic word, is performed after one wakes up from sleep at night. Tahajjud can be done in Ramadhan and outside Ramadhan.

Sometimes in Arabic usage, “Qiyamullail” is mentioned to solely refer to the optional prayers performed after Isha. But mostly, it’s used to refer to Tahajjud. Either way, “Qiyamullail” is an optional prayer, that’s performed at night.

Now, let’s take a look at Qiyamullail in the Qur’an, as well as in the Sunnah.

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Qiyamullail in the Qur’an

There are various verses in the Qur’an that discuss Qiyamullail. Here is a few of such.

In Surah Al-Furqan, 25:63-64, Allah s.w.t. outlined to us His special servants and their characteristics. Among those characteristics and virtues of the guided servants of His, is performing Qiyamullail on a constant basis. For that Allah said:

وَعِبَادُ الرَّحْمَـٰنِ الَّذِينَ يَمْشُونَ عَلَى الْأَرْضِ هَوْنًا وَإِذَا خَاطَبَهُمُ الْجَاهِلُونَ قَالُوا سَلَامًا * وَالَّذِينَ يَبِيتُونَ لِرَبِّهِمْ سُجَّدًا وَقِيَامًا

“And the servants of the Most Merciful are those who walk upon the earth easily, and when the ignorant address them [harshly], they say [words of] peace. And those who spend [part of] the night to their Lord prostrating and standing [in prayer].”

In Surah Al-Sajdah, 32:15-16, Allah says, describing those who believe in His verses, whom when they are reminded by His verses, they fall in prostration and exalt Him with praise of Him, and they are not arrogant:

إِنَّمَا يُؤْمِنُ بِآيَاتِنَا الَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِّرُوا بِهَا خَرُّوا سُجَّدًا وَسَبَّحُوا بِحَمْدِ رَبِّهِمْ وَهُمْ لَا يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ * تَتَجَافَى جُنُوبُهُمْ عَنِ الْمَضَاجِعِ يَدْعُونَ رَبَّهُمْ خَوْفًا وَطَمَعًا وَمِمَّا رَزَقْنَاهُمْ يُنفِقُونَ

“Only those believe in Our verses who, when they are reminded by them, fall down in prostration and exalt [Allah] with praise of their Lord, and they are not arrogant. They forsake their beds, calling upon their Lord in fear and in hope, and spend out of what We have provided them with.”

In Surah Al-Zumar, 39:9, Allah clearly demonstrated to us, that the one who obediently wakes up at night to call upon Him and pray to Him is never the same as the one who sleeps all night:

أَمَّنْ هُوَ قَانِتٌ آنَاء اللَّيْلِ سَاجِداً وَقَائِماً يَحْذَرُ الآخِرَةَ وَيَرْجُو رَحْمَةَ رَبِّهِ قُلْ هَلْ يَسْتَوِي الَّذِينَ يَعْلَمُونَ وَالَّذِينَ لا يَعْلَمُونَ إِنَّمَا يَتَذَكَّرُ أُوْلُوا الأَلْبَابِ

“Is one who is devoutly obedient during periods of the night, prostrating and standing [in prayer], fearing the Hereafter and hoping for the mercy of his Lord, [like one who does not]? Say, “Are those who know equal to those who do not know?” Only they will remember [who are] people of understanding.”

Allah s.w.t. also said in Surah Al-Zhariyaat: 51:15-18 when He described the people of piety who deserve the Paradise handsomely and unconditionally:

إِنَّ الْمُتَّقِينَ فِي جَنَّاتٍ وَعُيُونٍ * آخِذِينَ مَا آتَاهُمْ رَبُّهُمْ، إِنَّهُمْ كَانُوا قَبْلَ ذَٰلِكَ مُحْسِنِينَ * كَانُوا قَلِيلاً مِّنَ اللَّيْلِ مَا يَهْجَعُونَ * وَبِالْأَسْحَارِ هُمْ يَسْتَغْفِرُونَ

It means, “Indeed, the righteous will be among gardens and springs. Accepting what their Lord has given them. Indeed, they were before that; doers of righteous. They used to sleep but little of the night. And in the hours before dawn they would ask forgiveness…”

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Qiyamullail in the Sunnah

When we come to the noble Sunnah of Rasulillah s.w.t., there are various Ahaadeeth (Hadeeths) which encourage and teach about Qiyamullail. Below is a few of such.

Rasulullah said in a Hadeeth reported by Imam(s) Ahmad and Al-Turmuzhi:

عَلَيْكُمْ بِقِيَامِ اللَّيْلِ، فَإِنَّهُ دَأْبُ الصَّالِحِينَ قَبْلَكُمْ، وَقُرْبَةٌ إِلَى اللَّهِ تَعَالَى، وَمُكَفِّرَةٌ لِلسَّيِّئَاتِ، وَمَنْهَاةٌ عَنِ الإِثْمِ، وَمَطْرَدَةٌ لِلدَّاءِ عَنِ الجَسَدِ

It means, “Do not you ever disregard Qiyamillail! It was the custom of the righteous people before you. It brings one closer to Allah, atones for one's sins, keeps the body from illnesses, and prevents one from performing sinful acts.”

Let’s look at the Hadeeth narrated by Abdullah Ibn Salam, which was reported by Imam Al-Turmuzhi, in which Rasulullah s.a.w. said:

أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ! أَفْشُوا السَّلامَ.. وَأَطْعِمُوا الطَّعَامَ.. وَصَلُّوا بِاللَّيْلِ وَالنَّاسُ نِيَامٌ.. تَدْخُلُوا الجَنَّةَ بِسَلامٍ

It means, “O people! Promote the greetings. Feed (the poor and needy). And perform Solat when others are asleep. With that you will enter the Jannah safely.”

In addition to entering the Paradise safely, there are more surprises. Rasulullah said in a Hadeeth reported by Al-Tabarani and Al-Hakim (authenticated by Shaikh Al-Albani):

فِي الجَنَّةِ غُرْفَةٌ يُرَى ظَاهِرُهَا مِنْ بَاطِنِهَا، وَبَاطِنُهَا مِنْ ظَاهِرِهَا. فَقِيلَ: لِمَنْ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ؟ قَالَ: لِمَنْ أَطَابَ الكَلامَ، وَأَطْعَمَ الطَّعَامَ، وَبَاتَ قَائِماً وَالنَّاسُ نِيَامٌ

“In the heaven, there’s a house which its inside is seen from outside and its outside is seen from inside”. Someone asked, “For whom is that, O Messenger of Allah?” He said, “For the one who speaks good, feeds (others) food, and spends the night in Qiyamullail while others are asleep.”

If different Solat(s) differ in rankings, the optional Solat performed at night (Qiyamullail), is the best, next in line, after the prescribed prayers. Rasulullah s.a.w. said in a Hadeeth narrated by Abu Hurairah r.a. and authenticated by Imam Muslim:

أَفْضَلُ الصِّيَامِ بَعْدَ رَمَضَانَ شَهْرُ اللَّهِ الـمُحَرَّمُ، وَأَفْضَلُ الصَّلاَةِ بَعْدَ الفَرِيضَةِ صَلاَةُ اللَّيْلِ

It means, “The best month for observing fasting, after Ramadan is Muharram, and the best Solat after the prescribed Solat is the Solat performed at night.”

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The Significance of Qiyamullail in the Life of the Muslim

Any form of ibadah is important in a Muslim’s life. In addition to that, any ibadah that include Solat in its content (way of performing) carries more importance. This is simply because it’s in Solat that the servant of Allah can go lowest to the ground to show his humbleness and appreciation before Allah s.w.t.

Rasulullah, s.a.w. said in a Hadeeth reported by Imam Muslim:

أَقْرَبُ مَا يَكُونُ العَبْدُ مِنْ رَبِّهِ وَهُوَ سَاجِدٌ

“The closest a slave can be to his Lord is when he prostrates (in Sujud).

Rasulullah could perform Qiyamullail until the skin of his noble feet cracked. This is despite his former and latter sins (if he was to commit any) were forgiven. Sayyidatuna Aishah r.a. said in a Hadeeth authenticated by Imam(s) Al-Bukhari and Muslim that:

كَانَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَقُومُ مِنَ اللَّيْلِ حَتَّى تَتَفَطَّرُ قَدَمَاهُ، فَقُلْتُ لَهُ: لِمَ تَصْنَعُ هَذَا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَقَدْ غُفِرَ لَكَ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِكَ وَمَا تَأَخَّرَ؟ قال: أَفَلا أَكُونُ عَبْداً شَكُوراً؟

“Rasulullah s.a.w. kept standing in Qiyamillail so long, that the skin of his feet would crack. I asked him: “Why do you do this, while you have been forgiven of your former and latter sins?” He said, “Should I not be a grateful slave of Allah?”

If that is Rasulullah, whom his former and later sins were forgiven, what more about us? Isn’t it wise for us too, to seize the opportunity of Qiyamullail to show our appreciation to Allah for choosing us to be Muslims? Rasulullah was the best prophet (man) and we, his Ummah, are the best people of a prophet.

Also, the significance of Qiyamullail prevails as the time in which we perform Qiyamullail, especially the last part of the night, is the time that Allah s.w.t. Himself descends down to the lowest heaven to listen to the prayers, calls and cries of His servants, although He’s able to listen to them anytime, anywhere.

Rasulullah s.a.w. said in a Hadeeth narrated by Sayyidina Jabir r.a., authenticated by Imam Muslim:

إِنَّ فِي اللَّيْلِ لَسَاعَةً لاَ يُوَافِقُهَا رَجُلٌ مُسْلِمٌ يَسْأَلُ اللَّهَ خَيْراً مِنْ أَمْرِ الدُّنْيَا وَالآخِرَةِ إِلاَّ أَعْطَاهُ إِيَّاهُ، وَذَلِكَ كُلَّ لَيْلَةٍ

“Every night there is a special time during which whatever a Muslim asks Allah of any good, relating to this life or the Hereafter, it will be granted to him; and this moment comes every night.”

Also, Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah r.a. narrated a Hadeeth which was reported by Imam Al-Bukhari and Muslim, that Rasulullah, s.a.w. said:

يَنْزِلُ رَبُّنَا تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى كُلَّ لَيْلَةٍ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ الدُّنْيَا حِينَ يَبْقَى ثُلُثُ اللَّيْلِ الآخِرُ فَيَقُولُ: مَنْ يَدْعُونِي فَأَسْتَجِيبَ لَهُ، مَنْ يَسْأَلُنِي فَأُعْطِيَهُ، مَنْ يَسْتَغْفِرُنِي فَأَغْفِرَ لَهُ

It means, “Our Lord descends every night to the lowest heaven when the last third of the night remains, and He says, ‘Who will call Me that I might answer him, who will ask of Me that I might give him, who will ask My forgiveness, that I might forgive him?”

Amr Ibn ‘Anbasah r.a. related a Hadeeth which was reported by Imam Abu Dawud, in which Rasulullah s.a.w. said:

أَقْرَبُ مَا يَكُونُ الرَّبُّ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ مِنَ العَبْدِ فِي جَوْفِ اللَّيْلِ، فَإِنِ اسْتَطَعْتَ أَنْ تَكُونَ مِمَّنْ يَذْكُرُ اللَّهَ فِي تِلْكَ السَّاعَةِ فَكُنْ

It means, “The closest Allah gets closer to the servant is in the mid of the night. So if you are to be among those who remember Allah at that time, then try to do so.”

Rasulullah was asked in a Hadeeth narrated by Abu Umamah, and reported by Imam Al-Tirmizhi:

أَيُّ الدُّعَاءِ أَسْمَعُ؟ قَالَ: جَوْفُ اللَّيْلِ الآخِرِ، وَدُبُرُ الصَّلَوَاتِ الـمَكْتُوبَات

It means, “O Rasulallah, which du'a is heard (answered) most?” He said: “In the last third of the night, and following (at the end of) the prescribed prayers.”

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The Effect of Qiyamullail on Our Daily Attitudes

Based on my humble experience, and based on various encounters with others who do experience Qiyamullail in their life, any day one is honoured to perform Qiyamullail is a great and an exciting day and hence, a productive day. Qiyamullail, if observed constantly, grants one inner-happiness, invisible and unexplainable tranquility and coolness. One’s heart becomes light, and hence, they become forgiving.

In fact, this can be understood in the Hadeeth of Rasulillah s.a.w. narrated by Sayyidina Abu Hurairah r.a. and authenticated by Imam(s) Al-Bukhari and Muslim, in which Rasulullah said:

يَعْقِدُ الشَّيْطَانُ عَلَى قَافِيَةِ رَأْسِ أَحَدِكُمْ إِذَا هُوَ نَامَ؛ ثَلاثَ عُقَدٍ. يَضْرِبُ عَلَى كُلِّ عُقْدَةٍ: عَلَيْكَ لَيْلٌ طَوِيلٌ فَارْقُدْ. فَإِنِ اسْتَيْقَظَ فَذَكَرَ اللَّهَ تَعَالَى انْحَلَّتْ عُقْدَةٌ. فَإِنْ تَوَضَّأَ انْحَلَّتْ عُقْدَةٌ. فَإِنْ صَلَّى انْحَلَّتْ عُقْدَةٌ، فَأَصْبَحَ نَشِيطاً طَيِّبَ النَّفْسِ، وَإِلاَّ أَصْبَحَ خَبِيثَ النَّفْسِ كَسْلاَن.

It means, “When any one of you sleeps, Satan ties three knots at the back of his neck. He recites this incantation at every knot: ‘You have a long night, so sleep.' If he awakes and remembers Allah, one knot is loosened. If he performs Wudhu', the (second) knot is loosened; and if he performs Solat, (all) knots are loosened. He begins his morning in a happy and refreshed mood; otherwise, he gets up in bad spirits and sluggish state.”

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Qiyamullail; the Special ‘Ibadah Upon Rasulillah, s.a.w.

For Rasulullah s.a.w., Qiyamullail was an obligatory upon him s.w.t. But he was given the option to spend half of the night, more or less, in performing His Qiyamullail. For that Allah s.w.t. said in Surah Al-Muzzammil, 73:1-4:

يَا أَيُّهَا الْمُزَّمِّلُ * قُمِ اللَّيْلَ إِلَّا قَلِيلاً * نِصْفَهُ أَوِ انقُصْ مِنْهُ قَلِيلاً * أَوْ زِدْ عَلَيْهِ وَرَتِّلِ الْقُرْآنَ تَرْتِيلاً

It means, “O you who wraps himself [in clothing]. Arise [to pray] the night, except for a little. Half of it – or subtract from it a little. Or add to it, and recite the Qur'an with measured recitation.”

Also in Surah Al-Israa, 17:79 Allah s.w.t. emphasized that upon him s.a.w.:

وَمِنَ اللَّيْلِ فَتَهَجَّدْ بِهِ نَافِلَةً لَّكَ عَسَى أَن يَبْعَثَكَ رَبُّكَ مَقَاماً مَّحْمُوداً

It means, “And from [part of] the night, pray with it (the Qur’an) as additional [worship] for you; it is expected that your Lord will resurrect you to a praised station.”

That obligation in Qiyamullail was special for Rasulullah s.a.w. And indeed, he delivered it to his level best. As a result, Rasulullah s.a.w. used significant amount of his nights doing Qiyamullail; to present his appreciation to Allah for all the blessings bestowed upon him.

Sayyidina Anas r.a., narrated a Hadeeth which was reported by Imam Al-Bukhari, which says:

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يُفْطِرُ مِنَ الشَّهْرِ حَتَّى نَظُنُّ أَنْ لا يَصُومَ مِنْهُ، وَيَصُومُ حَتَّى نَظُنَّ أَنْ لا يُفْطِرُ مِنْهُ شَيْئاً. وَكَانَ لاَ تَشَاءُ أَنْ تَرَاهُ مِنَ اللَّيْلِ مُصَلِّياً إِلا رَأَيْتَهُ، وَلاَ نَائِمًا إِلا رَأَيْتَهُ

It means, “Rasulullah s.a.w. used to leave off observing fasting during a month until we thought that he would not observe fasting anymore; and (sometimes) he would observe fasting till we began to think that he would not omit any day of that month. If one wished to see him performing Solat during the night, he could do that; and if one wished to see him sleeping at night, he could do that.”

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What About Us?

However, as for us (other than Rasulullah s.a.w.), Qiyamullail is a totally optional ibadah. If a Muslim lives his entire life doing righteous deeds but was (intentionally or unintentionally) unable to perform Qiyamullail, he won’t be put to accountability for not doing so. But anyone who goes the extra mile and does Qiyamullail will be pleased here in this life before he meets his Lord for greater rewards. No doubt about this.

In fact, Rasulullah constantly encouraged his Ummah to adhere Qiyamullail. Sayyiduna Ali r.a. said what was authenticated by Imam(s) Al-Bukhari and Muslim, that:

أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ طَرَقَهُ وَفَاطِمَةَ لَيْلاً فَقَالَ: أَلاَ تُصَلِّيَانِ؟

It means, Rasulullah s.a.w. visited me and Fatimah, one night, and said, “Are you not observing Qiyamullail?”

To emphasize the importance of Qiyamullail and the difference it makes in the piety person, Rasulullah once said about Abdullah Ibn Umar something, that was narrated by Salim son of Abdullah Ibn Umar, which is:

نِعْمَ الرَّجُلُ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ لَوْ كَانَ يُصَلِّي مِنَ اللَّيْلِ. قَالَ سَالِمٌ: فَكَانَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ لاَ يَنَامُ مِنَ اللَّيْلِ إِلاَّ قَلِيلاً.

“Abdullah is an excellent man! If only he could perform Qiyamullail.” Salim said that after this, (his father) Abdullah slept very little at night.”

Similarly to constant encourage for his Ummah to adhere Qiyamullail, Rasulullah s.a.w. also advised us to enjoin our partners (spouses) in the share of rewards attained from Qiyamullail, but in a romantic way.

For that, Rasulullah s.a.w. said in a Hadeeth narrated by Sayyidina Abi Hurairah, and reported by Imam Abu Dawud:

رَحِمَ اللَّهُ رَجُلا قَامَ مِنَ اللَّيْلِ فَصَلَّى وَأَيْقَظَ امْرَأَتَهُ، فَإِنْ أَبَتْ نَضَحَ فِي وَجْهِهَا المَاءَ. رَحِمَ اللَّهُ امْرَأَةً قَامَتْ مِنَ اللَّيْلِ فَصَلَّتْ وَأَيْقَظَتْ زَوْجَهَا، فَإِنْ أَبَى نَضَحَتْ فِي وَجْهِهِ المَاءَ

“May Allah bestow His Mercy upon a man who gets up during the night and performs Qiyamullail, awakens his wife to pray and if she refuses, he sprinkles water on her face (to make her get up). May Allah bestow His Mercy upon a woman who gets up during the night and performs Qiyamullail, awakens her husband for the same purpose; and if he refuses, she sprinkles water on his face.”

Look at the beauty and the brightness that occur in a house where the above mentioned romantic couple both wake up for Qiyamullail (Tahajjud)! Rasulullah said in a Hadeeth narrated by Abi Hurairah and Abi Saeed Al-Khudri; and reported by Abi Daud:

إِذَا أَيْقَظَ الرَّجُلُ أَهْلَهُ مِنَ اللَّيْلِ فَصَلَّيَا أَوْ صَلَّى رَكَعَتَيْنِ جَمِيعاً؛ كُتِبَ فِي الذَّاكِرِينَ وَالذَّاكِرَاتِ

“When a man awakens his wife during the night and they both pray or perform two Raka’ahs together, they are noted among the men and women who celebrate remembrance of Allah.”!

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Guidelines for Qiyamullail

When we decide and choose to perform Qiyamullail, then we are required to follow the Sunnah and the etiquettes of Rasulillah s.a.w. in performing Qiyamullail. The best form of performing any form of deeds (‘ibadah) is to do it the way it’s authentically known, that Rasulullah did it. Doing so strengthens our link and relationship with Rasulullah, as part of his Ummah.

Qiyamullail is performed similarly to how Subh prayers are performed; 2 Raka’ahs (two after another) and recitations are done loud and can be done silently too.

Below are some guidelines from the Sunnah of Rasulillah s.a.w. on Qiyamullail.

How to perform it?

Rasulullah used to perform Qiyamullail in pairs of Raka’ahs; two Raka’ahs, after another. And he would end his Qiyamullail with an odd number (witr). This is what Abdullah Ibn Umar r.a. narrated, authenticated by Imam Muslim:

كَانَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يُصَلِّي مِنَ اللَّيْلِ مَثْنَى مَثْنَى، وَيُوتِرُ بِرَكْعَةٍ

“Rasulullah s.a.w. performed the night prayer in pairs (two Raka’ahs after another) and ended it with an odd number by observing one Raka’ah (as witr).

How many Raka’ahs can be done?

When it comes to the amount of Raka’ahs, which one is supposed to pray during Qiyamullail, one has the option to do it based on their circumstance and convenience. 3 Raka’ahs are better than 1. 5 are better than 3, 7 are better than 5 and so forth.

However, as far as Rasulullah is concerned, it’s reported in some narrations that he mostly prayed eleven Raka’ahs. Sayyidatuna Aishah r.a. said in Hadeeth authenticated by Imam Al-Bukhari:

كَانَ يُصَلِّي إِحْدَى عَشْرَةَ رَكْعَةً؛ يَسْجُدُ السَّجْدَةَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ قَدْرَ مَا يَقْرَأُ أَحَدُكُمْ خَمْسِينَ آيَةً، قَبْلَ أَنْ يَرْفَعَ رَأْسَهُ.

“He (Rasulullah s.a.w.) used to perform eleven Raka’ahs (of Tahajjud) at night. He  would prostrate so long as one of you might recite fifty verses (of the Qur'an).

In another Hadeeth, also narrated by Sayyidatuna Aishah r.a., and authenticated by Imam(s) Al-Bukhari and Muslim:

مَا كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَزِيدُ فِي رَمَضَانَ وَلاَ فِي غَيْرِهِ عَلَى إِحْدَى عَشْرَةَ رَكْعَةً، يُصَلِّي أَرْبَعًا؛ فَلاَ تَسْأَلْ عَنْ حُسْنِهِنَّ وَطُولِهِنَّ. ثُمَّ يُصَلِّي أَرْبَعاً؛ فَلاَ تَسْأَلْ عَنْ حُسْنِهِنَّ وَطُولِهِنَّ. ثُمَّ يُصَلِّي ثَلاَثاً. فَقُلْتُ: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ! أَتَنَامُ قَبْلَ أَنْ تُوتِرَ؟ فَقَالَ: يَا عَائِشَة، إِنَّ عَيْنَيَّ تَنَامَانِ وَلاَ يَنَامُ قَلْبِي

“Rasulullah (s.a.w.) did not observe more than eleven Raka’ahs of Qiyamillail, be it in Ramadan or outside Ramadhan. First of all he would perform four Raka’ahs. Ask not about their excellence and their length. He would then perform four more Raka’ahs; and do not ask about their excellence and their length. Then he would perform three Raka’ahs (witr). (Sayyidatuna Aishah added) I submitted: “Yaa Rasulallah! Do you sleep before performing the Witr prayer?” He said, “O Aishah! My eyes sleep but my heart does not.”

What time can it be done?

Rasulullah would sleep in the first part of the night and do his Qiyamullail in the last part of it. This is what can be understood from the Hadeeth narrated by Sayyidatuna Aishah r.a., authenticated by Imam(s) Al-Bukhari and Muslim:

كَانَ يَنَامُ أَوَّلَ اللَّيْلِ، وَيَقُومُ آخِرَهُ فَيُصَلِّي

“Rasulullah s.a.w. would sleep during the early part of night and stand in Qiyamullail during the latter part.”

However, one can do their Qiyamullail immediately after Isya or in the first part of the night, if they are afraid they might oversleep and hence, miss the Qiyam.

Everything requires warm up; including Qiyamullail

It’s advisable to start our Qiyamullail, likewise any deed, in which we are determined to be productive, with ‘warm-up’. On that occasion, Abu Hurairah r.a. narrated a Hadeeth, which was authenticated by Imam Muslim, in which Rasulullah s.a.w. said:

إِذَا قَامَ أَحَدُكُمْ مِنَ اللَّيْلِ فَلْيَفْتَتِح الصَّلاةَ بِرَكْعَتَيْنِ خَفِيفَتَيْنِ

“When one of you gets up at night to perform (Tahajjud) prayer, let him start his Solat with two short Raka’ahs.”

What if I miss my Qiyam, can I pay back? Yes, you can.

In case one misses their Qiyamullail, by accidentally oversleeping, they can pay back during the day time, before noon. But they can only pray it in even number, without the Witr. Witr is meant to be done at night. Sayyidatuna Aisha confirmed that in the Hadeeth narrated by Imam Muslim. She said:

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ إِذَا فَاتَتْهُ الصَّلاةُ مِنَ اللَّيْلِ مِنْ وَجَعٍ أَوْ غَيْرِهِ صَلَّى مِنَ النَّهَارِ ثِنْتَي عَشْرَةَ رَكْعَةً

“If Rasulullah s.a.w. missed his Tahajjud, due to indisposition or the like, he would perform twelve Raka’ahs during the daytime.”

In another Hadeeth, narrated by Sayyiduna Umar Ibn Al-Khattab, reported by Imam Muslim Rasulullah said:

مَنْ نَامَ عَنْ حِزْبِهِ أَوْ عَنْ شَيْءٍ مِنْهُ فَقَرَأَهُ فِيمَا بَيْنَ صَلاةِ الفَجْرِ وَصَلاةِ الظُّهْرِ كُتِبَ لَهُ كَأَنَّمَا قَرَأَهُ مِنَ اللَّيْلِ

“If anyone falls asleep and therefore fails to observe his Hizb (Night prayer) or part of it, if he observes it between the Fajr and the Zuhr prayers, it will be recorded for him as though he had observed it during the night.”

What if I wake up but can’t concentrate due to drowsiness?

If one has prepared themselves for Qiyamullail and are unable to focus due to sleepiness, they are advised to pray a few short Raka’ahs and have a rest. This is to prevent them from confusing between the verses of the Qur’an as well as their prayers.

However, they can get back to their Tahajjud after having a nap and being refreshed and active. Rasulullah s.a.w. said in a Hadeeth narrated by Sayyidatuna Aishah, r.a.; authenticated by Imam(s) Al-Bukhari and Muslim:

إِذَا نَعَسَ أَحَدُكُمْ فِي الصَّلاةِ فَلْيَرْقُدْ حَتَّى يَذْهَبَ عَنْهُ النَّوْمُ. فَإِنَّ أَحَدَكُمْ إِذَا صَلَّى وَهُوَ نَاعِسٌ لَعَلَّهُ يَذْهَبُ يَسْتَغْفِرُ فَيَسُبُّ نَفْسَهُ

“When one of you dozes off while performing Qiyamullail, he should lie down till his drowsiness has gone away from him. When one of you performs Solat while dozing, he may abuse himself instead of seeking pardon (as a result of drowsiness).”

Also in another Hadeeth narrated by Abi Hurairah, reported by Imam Muslim, Rasulullah s.a.w. also says:

إِذَا قَامَ أَحَدُكُمْ مِنَّ اللَّيْلِ فَاسْتَعْجَمَ القُرْآنُ عَلَى لِسَانِهِ فَلَمْ يَدْرِ مَا يَقُولُ فَلْيَضْطَجِعْ

“When anyone of you stands up for Qiyamullail at night and finds it difficult to recite the Qur'an accurately and he is unaware of what he is reciting, he should go back to sleep.”

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Conclusion

Qiyamullail as some may (or might have) assume[d] is an act of optional ibadah that requires lots of effort and energy, where one is expected to recite the whole of Surah Al-Baqarah and Aali Imran in two Raka’ahs. But this is not the case.

A single Raka’ah (witr) performed anytime between Isha and Subh prayers, is considered as Qiyamullail. 3 Raka’ahs performed anytime between Isha and Subh prayers are considered as Qiyamullail and are better (more rewarding) than the single Raka’ah. The more Raka’ahs performed the better and more rewarding one generates.

Let’s make it a point to start with little number of Raka’ahs and grow. Insha Allah, you will be happier with Qiyamullail in this life, and in the Hereafter.

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Allahu Hafiz 🙂

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