Qiyam al-Layl (Golden Words of Allah – Ep87)

“Indeed, the righteous will be among gardens and springs, receiving what their Lord has given them. Indeed, they used to do good before that. They used to sleep but little of the night, and in the hours before dawn they would seek forgiveness.” (Surah Adh-Dhariyat, 51:15-18)

By Abdullahi Yusuf

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. All perfect praise is due to Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, the Lord of the Worlds. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah, and Muhammad (pbuh), is His slave and final Messenger.

Allah praises those who abandon their beds for His sake. In the Qur’an He says: “Their sides forsake their beds as they call upon their Lord in fear and hope, and they spend from what We have provided them.” (Surah As-Sajdah, 32:16). The verse captures a powerful image: believers leaving the comfort of sleep to stand in humility before the Creator.

The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) placed great value on this prayer. He said: “The best prayer after the obligatory prayers is the night prayer.” (Reported in Sahih Muslim). This statement alone reveals the rank of Qiyam al-Layl, a voluntary act that draws the servant closer to Allah beyond the obligations of the day.

The night prayer purifies the heart and softens the soul. In those moments, a believer remembers his weaknesses and seeks forgiveness with sincerity. The Prophet (pbuh) said that during the last third of every night, Allah descends to the lowest heaven and calls out: “Who is calling upon Me that I may answer him? Who is asking Me so that I may give him? Who is seeking My forgiveness so that I may forgive him?” (Reported in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim).

This invitation from the Lord of the Worlds is repeated every night, yet only a few rise to answer it. Those who do are granted a unique closeness with Allah, a closeness that strengthens faith, removes sins, and illuminates the heart.

Qiyam al-Layl was the practice of the righteous before us and the habit of the Prophet (pbuh) himself. His feet would swell from long standing in prayer, and when asked why he exerted himself so much though his sins were forgiven, he replied: “Should I not be a grateful servant?” (Reported in Sahih al-Bukhari).

Gratitude therefore, is the spirit of the night prayer. It is not merely about recitation or long standing; it is about a servant acknowledging the endless blessings of his Lord.

The righteous have always been known by their worship in the quiet hours of the night. While others sleep, they stand before their Lord seeking forgiveness, guidance and mercy. Such devotion does not go unnoticed, for Allah is aware of every servant who rises in sincerity to remember Him.

And Allah knows best.

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