The Excellence of Qiyam al-Layl

Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim

In the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful

The Excellence of Qiyam al-Layl:

Many Qur'anic verses speak about the excellence of Qiyam and the merits of those people, who perform Qiyam al-Layl on a regular basis, for example, Allah describes the believers who deserve Jannah saying:

“They (the believers) forsake their beds, to invoke their Lord in fear and hope; and they spend out of what We have bestowed on them.” [Soorah as-Sajdah (32): 16] “They (the pious) used to sleep but little at night.” [Soorah ath-Thariyat (51): 17]

Also, numerous Ahadith add to this subject, narrated Abu Hurayrah (radhi allahu anhu): “The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said:

“The best prayer after those prescribed is (the prayer performed) in the depth of night.” [Sahih Muslim and Musnad Ahmad]

He (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) also said:

“The most beloved prayer to Allah was of Dawud (alaihi as-salam). He slept one half of the night, got up (and prayed) for one third, and then slept (the remaining) one sixth.” [Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim]

Closeness to Allah:

Amr bin Abash (radhi allahu anhu) reported that Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said:

“The closest that a servant is to his Lord, is in the last part of the night. If you can be among those who remember Allah at that hour then do so.” (at-Tirmidhi)

Mercy from Allah:

Abu Hurayrah (radhi allahu anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allah (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.” (Abu Dawud)

The Excellence of Qiyam in 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 Qiyam during Ramadan. He (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) used to say: “Whoever stands (in Qiyam) in Ramadaan out of faith and expectation (of Allah's Reward), all his previous sins will be forgiven.” [Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim]

Source

The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa'sallam said:

"The Muslim is a unique Ummah among the whole of mankind:
Their Land is ONE, their War is ONE, their Peace is ONE,
Their Honour is ONE and their Trust is ONE."
[Ahmad]