This article will dive into Qiyam-al-layl and its benefits.
Qiyam-al-layl is the act of standing to pray to Allah (SWT) during the night. It also comprises other forms of Worship like making Dhikr, reading the Quran, making duaa to Allah (SWT) for his mercy. Qiyam-al-layl is often used interchangeably with Tahajjud; however, Tahajjud is the prayer portion – meaning Tahajjud is part of Qiyam-al-layl. Diving a bit deeper, let’s understand the essence of Qiyam-al-layl and its importance Islamically as referenced in hadith and Quran.
Allah (SWT) says, “And as for the night, keep awake a part of it as an additional prayer for you: soon will your Lord raise you to a station of praise and glory” (Al-Israa’ 17:79)
As seen in the verse above,you can choose to wake up at any hour of the night and pray to Allah (SWT).
Benefits of Observing Qiyam-al-layl
- Dua Acceptance
“Our Lord, the Blessed, the Superior, comes every night down on the nearest Heaven to us when the last third of the night remains, saying: “Is there anyone to invoke Me, so that I may respond to invocation? Is anyone to ask Me so I may grant him his request? Is there anyone seeking My forgiveness so that I may forgive him?” (Bukhari)
This Hadith shows that the Almighty descends every night to call upon us, to ask for our Duas to bestow his mercy, forgiveness, and guidance upon who calls for it. Don’t you want to be part of these people?
It’s not easy to leave your sleep to pray, but it’s for your own benefit. If you’d like to increase the chances of your duaa getting accepted, partaking in Qiyam-al-layl will certainly help!
- Peaceful Worship
The time of Qiyam-al-layl is usually the time when everyone is asleep. The night is quiet, the TV is off, children are sound asleep, the streets are free of commotion and our phones aren’t buzzing with notifications making the night time the perfect opportunity to wake up, perform your ablution with utmost sincerity and observe Tahajjud.
As mentioned earlier, Qiyam-al-layl is not limited to only prayers, you can choose to read from theQuran or even perform Dhikr. As a reminder to us all, this is a moment we should strive to utilize before it is too late!
- Good Deeds
Even if you don’t have anything specific to ask of Allah (SWT), which is rare by the way, observing Qiyam-al-layl is an act of good deed. It increases your scale of good deeds since it’s voluntary Worship.Similar to the prayer, the Quran you recited and the Dhikr made are also part of the good deeds. So, what’s the best way to amass good deeds if not to pray Qiyam-al-layl?
- Closeness to Allah (SWT)
Do you desire to be closer to Allah (SWT)? Wake up for Qiyam-al-layl!
“You should observe 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-Tirmidhi and Ahmad)
When you observe Qiyam-al-layl, you will feel closer to Allah (SWT). You’ll start to believe more in the Almighty and want Him to show you the way. It’s like a miracle because you’ll see that your life becomes more peaceful and your trust in Him becomes automatic.
- A position of Praise
“And in some parts of the night, offer the prayer with it as an additional prayer, and We will raise you to a position of Praise and glory on the Day of Resurrection.” (Quran 17:79)
According to the above verse, waking up for Qiyam prayer will lead you to a position of Praise and glory on the Day of Judgement. Thus, it depicts how huge the reward of Observing Qiyam-al-layl is. Don’t forget, this Dunyah is only a journey, and the Akhira is our final destination. Wouldn’t you want to gather rewards for that destination?
Tips to Pray Qiyam-al-layl
- Make the intention before sleeping
If you get up for night prayer, start with two short rak’ats.” (Muslim)
You can have it at the back of your mind to wake up for Qiyam-al-layl before sleeping. Fortunately, a Hadith encourages you to start with two Qiyam prayer rak’ats. As time passes, your body adapts to it, and you can increase it.
- Thirst for forgiveness
And then says: “O Allah! Forgive me,” he will be forgiven. Or if he makes dua to Allah, he will be responded to, and if he performs ablution (and prays), his prayer will be accepted. (Sahih Al-Bukhari)
Another tip to observe Qiyam-al-layl is to have a thirst for Allah’s (SWT) forgiveness. Everyone sins, relatively minor or major. Hence, asking for forgiveness removes your sins and increases your Dua’s acceptance.
- Set an Alarm
It’s advisable to observe Qiyam-al-layl during the third part of the night. Tip: you can set your alarm an hour before Fajr and observe Qiyam-al-layl in its many forms:Tahajjud, making Duaa, seeking Allah’s (SWT) forgiveness, and reading the Quran. After which you stand in prayer for Fajr when the time comes.
- Sleep early
Sleeping early at night is one of the habits many of us find difficult to do these days. If it’s not work keeping us up, it’s the internet or movies. But if you’re determined to seek Allah’s (SWT) forgiveness, increase your rank with him and pray for your heart’s desires, you’ll pray Qiyam-al-layl. And to pray Qiyam-al-layl, you need to sleep early. After all, it’s “early to bed, early to rise.”
- Discipline
Discipline and determination will take you far in life, and increasing your status with Allah (SWT) is part of it. It starts to get easy when you’ve disciplined your mind to wake up for the Qiyam prayer. But you won’t do well without determination and discipline. For real, there’ll be times when your body won’t want to get up to observe the prayer. Then, it’s up to you to choose what you wish: obey Allah’s (SWT) call to ask for your demand or stay in bed.
Bottom line
Qiyam-al-layl is a way of measuring your sincere determination, and it’s a quality for those with grand ambitions. It’s all about consistency. Making it a habit to wake up and pray while others sleep is a virtue worth emulating, and you’ll receive the rewards.
Test the waters with two rakats every night, and you’ll see how peaceful it is. May the Almighty grant us the strength to be consistent in this act of Worship.