A step closer to Jannah [Book I]

What is Qiyam Al Layl? (Needs editing)

Praise be to Allaah.

Qiyaam al-layl is Sunnah mu'akkadah (a confirmed Sunnah). Many texts of the Qur'aan and Sunnah encourage it and speak of its high status and great reward.

Qiyaam al-layl plays a great role in strengthening one's faith and helping one to do good deeds. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"O you wrapped in garments (i.e. Prophet Muhammad)!

2. Stand (to pray) all night, except a little -

3. Half of it or a little less than that,

4. Or a little more. And recite the Qur'aan (aloud) in a slow, (pleasant tone and) style.

5. Verily, We shall send down to you a weighty Word (i.e. obligations, laws).

6. Verily, the rising by night (for Tahajjud prayer) is very hard and most potent and good for governing oneself, and most suitable for (understanding) the Word (of Allaah)"

[al-Muzzamil 73:1-6]

Allaah praises those who have faith and are pious for their noble characteristics and good deeds, one of the most special of which is qiyaam al-layl. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"Only those believe in Our Ayaat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.), who, when they are reminded of them, fall down prostrate, and glorify the Praises of their Lord, and they are not proud.

16. Their sides forsake their beds, to invoke their Lord in fear and hope, and they spend (in charity in Allaah's Cause) out of what We have bestowed on them.

17. No person knows what is kept hidden for them of joy as a reward for what they used to do"

[al-Sajdah 32:15-17]

Allaah describes them elsewhere in the following terms (interpretation of the meaning):

"And those who spend the night in worship of their Lord, prostrate and standing.

65. And those who say: "Our Lord! Avert from us the torment of Hell. Verily, its torment is ever an inseparable, permanent punishment."

66. Evil indeed it (Hell) is as an abode and as a place to rest in.

67. And those who, when they spend, are neither extravagant nor niggardly, but hold a medium (way) between those (extremes).

68. And those who invoke not any other ilaah (god) along with Allaah, nor kill such person as Allaah has forbidden, except for just cause, nor commit illegal sexual intercourse and whoever does this shall receive the punishment.

69. The torment will be doubled to him on the Day of Resurrection, and he will abide therein in disgrace;

70. Except those who repent and believe (in Islamic Monotheism), and do righteous deeds; for those, Allaah will change their sins into good deeds, and Allaah is Oft‑Forgiving, Most Merciful.

71. And whosoever repents and does righteous good deeds; then verily, he repents towards Allaah with true repentance.

72. And those who do not bear witness to falsehood, and if they pass by some evil play or evil talk, they pass by it with dignity.

73. And those who, when they are reminded of the Ayaat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) of their Lord, fall not deaf and blind thereat.

74. And those who say: "Our Lord! Bestow on us from our wives and our offspring the comfort of our eyes, and make us leaders of the Muttaqoon (the pious)."