Worship holds a significant place in Islam. It is a spiritual connection between Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى and His servants. The acts of worship have no limits: from praying (Salah) to simply remembering Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى (zikar), every act that involves submission and reflection counts as worship. There are quite a few obligatory acts of worship, such as prayer and fasting. At the same time, there are many other types of worship that fall under the category of “voluntary” or “optional,” popularly referred to as “Nafl” and “Sunnah” in Islamic terminology.
Qiyam-ul-Layl is one of the most emphasized Sunnah practices. It holds a special status among the voluntary or optional worship. It is also rated as the most preferred and virtuous act after the obligatory prayers. Qiyam-ul-Layl is believed to be a type of worship that establishes a spiritually uplifted connection between the believers and the Almighty Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى, as it is performed during the quiet and peaceful hours of the night, when the majority of people go into deep sleep, and there are hardly any worldly activities around us. This is the time when a believer can focus on worship without any physical or mental interference from the world.
In this guide, we will explore everything a Muslim must know about Qiyam-ul-Layl, including its meanings, the best time to perform it, and its virtues.
What Is Qiyam-ul-Layl – An Insight
Qiyam-ul-Layl (قيام الليل), or “the night prayer,” is a type of worship that is directly commanded to the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ in the Quran. Verses 1 to 8 of Surah Al-Muzzammil are addressed to the Prophet, advising him to practice Qiyam-ul-Layl.
Translation
- O YOU ENWRAPPED in the cloak (of Prophethood),
- Keep watch all the night except some,
- A half of it or a little less
- Or a little more, and recite the Qur’an slowly and distinctly.
- We shall soon entrust to you a message heavy (with solemnity).
- Surely in the watches of the night, the soul is most receptive and words more telling.
- Indeed during the day you have a long schedule of occupations.
- But recite the name of your Lord withdrawing yourself from everything, devoting yourself exclusively to Him.
The above verses were revealed to the Prophet during the early days of his Prophethood, apparently asking him to get prepared for the most important task ahead. These are seen as the basis of practicing Qiyam-ul-Layl by the Prophet. The Prophet is reported to have practiced it throughout his life, consistently, and also advised his companions to do so. Many Hadiths quoted in the authentic Hadith Collections mention the importance of Qiyam-ul-Layl, such as Hadith 438 of Jami at-Tirmidhi.
Translation
Abu Hurairah narrated that: Allah’s Messenger (S) said: “The most virtuous fasting after the month of Ramadan is that of Allah’s month of Al-Muharram. And the most virtuous Salat after the obligatory is the night prayer.”
The night prayer (Qiyam-ul-Layl) is one of the most emphasized acts of worship by the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ, which was also followed by his companions. Hence, Muslims pray at night with the spirit of following the Sunnah of the Prophet.
Qiyam-ul-Layl – Meanings
Qiyam-ul-Layl is an Arabic expression that can be translated to “standing in the night” or “standing for the night”. In Islamic teachings and practices, Qiyam-ul-Layl refers to a voluntary prayer (salah) offered at any time during the night, after the obligatory Isha prayer and before the start of the Fajr prayer timings.
Generally, an anha prayer or Salah, performed during the night, comes under the category of “Qiyam-ul-Layl. Although Qiyam-ul-Layl specifically refers to any Nafl prayer performed during the night, Tahajjud is sometimes mistakenly confused with it, whereas Tahajjud is a different type of prayer that must be performed after waking up during the night. On the other hand, Qiyam-ul-Layl includes any type of Nafl prayer, including the Tahajjud prayer. However, while performing Tahajjud, it must be kept in mind that it has to be offered after sleep.
In a broader sense, Qiyam-ul-Layl is not restricted only to the performance of Salah; it may also include recitation of the Quran, supplications, and remembrance of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى (Zikar).
Qiyam-ul-Layl – Timings
The timings of the night prayer (Qiyam-ul-Layl) start after the performance of the obligatory prayer of Isha and end just before the start of the timings of the obligatory prayer of Fajr. So, Qiyam-ul-Layl can be performed any time during this period.
However, in the Islamic perspective, night is generally divided into three parts: the early night, the middle of the night, and the last third of the night.
- Early Night – the time immediately after the Isha prayer.
- Middle of the Night – the second or middle part of the night, commonly referring to the midnight hours.
- Last Third of the Night – generally refers to the final third of the night. It starts after midnight and ends just before the start of the Fajr time.
According to the Sunnah of the Prophet, the last third of the night is the best time to offer the night prayer (Qiyam-ul-Layl) because it is the time when Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى descends to the lowest part of the heaven (nearest to the earth) and invites the believers to seek His Mercy and Forgiveness. Hadith 6321 of Sahih Al-Bukhari narrates it as follows:
Translation
Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “When it is the last third of the night, our Lord, the Blessed, the Superior, descends every night to the heaven of the world and says, ‘Is there anyone who invokes Me (demand anything from Me), that I may respond to his invocation; Is there anyone who asks Me for something that I may give (it to) him; Is there anyone who asks My forgiveness that I may forgive him?’”
Hadith 758b of Sahih Muslim also narrates the same subject. Accordingly, scholars have a consensus that the best time for the performance of Qiyam-ul-Layl (the night prayer) is the last third of the night.
Qiyam-ul-Layl – Number of Rak’ahs
The night prayer (Qiyam-ul-Layl) is just like any other Nafl prayer and has to be performed in the same way as other prayers are offered. The basic prerequisites of any Salah, including Qiyam-ul-Layl, include the following:
- Make wudu (Ablution)
- Make intention (Niyyah)
- Perform Salah just like any other Nafl prayer
- Recite the Quran in each Rak’ah, as much as possible, but slowly
- After completion of the prayer, make Dua
Number of Rak’ahs – Night prayer must be performed in multiples of 2 Rak’ahs at a time, i.e., 2, 4, 6, 8, and so on.
Qiyam-ul-Layl – Virtues
As mentioned in Hadith 438 of Jami at-Tirmidhi, Qiyam-ul-Layl or the night prayer is the most virtuous act of worship after the obligatory prayers. The virtues of Qiyam-ul-Layl are countless, some of which are summarized here:
· It Holds the Traits of the Righteous
Offering the night prayer holds the traits of the righteous, as mentioned in verses 17 and 18 of Surah Adh-Dhariyat.
Translation
- They slept little in the night,
- And every morning asked forgiveness,
· It is a Source of Honor
The Quran guarantees an elevated status for those who practice Qiyam-ul-Layl. The 79th verse of Surah Al-Isra narrates this as follows:
Translation
Say a supererogatory prayer at the hour of the first watch: Your Lord may raise you to a most exalted station.
· It Brings Closeness to Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى
The night prayer (Qiyam-ul-Layl), in all its forms, is the best and most powerful source of attaining closeness to Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى, as it is a time when the believer is free from all worldly affairs. It is a time of peace and quietness, when others are in deep sleep, and there is no physical disturbance for the one who is standing before Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى in this part of the night.
· It is the Powerful Source of Forgiveness of Sins
The preferred timings of the performance of Qiyam-ul-Layl are the last third of the night. As mentioned in Hadith 758b of Sahih Muslim, it is the time when Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى invites the believers to seek His Forgiveness. That’s why the night prayer is believed to be the best and most powerful source of seeking forgiveness for all sins.
· It is the Best Time for Acceptance of Dua
The last third part of the night is a time when Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى responds to the invocations made by the believers. Since the night prayer is popularly offered during the last third of the night, there is maximum probability of acceptance of supplications, as also mentioned in the Hadith 6321 of Sahih Al-Bukhari.
· It is a Sign of True Faith
The night prayer is acknowledged by Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى as a sign of “true faith” of those who stand for prayer during the night. The 9th verse of Surah Az-Zumar mentions it in the following words:
Translation
Can one who prays in the watches of the night, bowing in homage or standing attentive, fearful of the life to come, and hoping for the mercy of his Lord, (be like one who does not)?
FAQs
- Is Qiyam-ul-Layl Obligatory or Voluntary?
Qiyam-ul-Layl is not obligatory. It is a voluntary prayer but a highly emphasized Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ.
- Is it necessary to sleep before praying Qiyam-ul-Layl?
No, Qiyam-ul-Layl can be offered in both ways, either after sleeping or without sleeping. It should not be confused with Tahajjud, which has to be performed after waking up from sleep.
- How many Rak’ah should I pray in Qiyam-ul-Layl?
There is no fixed number of Rak’ahs in Qiyam-ul-Layl. You can offer it in multiples of two up to any number, such as 2, 4, 6, and so on.
- Can women also pray Qiyam-ul-Layl?
Yes, women can and should also perform Qiyam-ul-Layl, as it is a highly emphasized and virtuous act of worship.
- What to do if I forgot to pray Qiyam-ul-Layl?
Since it is not obligatory, there is no sin if one forgets to pray Qiyam-ul-Layl. However, you should be consistent in offering night prayer regularly, as it holds great significance.
Conclusion
Prayer is one of the best types of worship and is a unique aspect of Muslim identity. While offering five daily prayers is obligatory for Muslims, they are also required to pray additional Nafl and Sunnah prayers to get more rewards. Qiyam-ul-Layl, also known as “night prayer,” is believed to be the best and highly virtuous Nafl prayer, after the regular prayers, as is also evidenced by many authentic Hadiths.
Qiyam-ul-Layl holds a significant status in Islamic teachings, as it is offered during the nighttime, when the reciter is free of all worldly affairs, both physically and mentally. It is the time when Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى descends to the part of heavens that is nearest to earth and invites the believers to seek His forgiveness and mercy. The best and most emphasized time for offering Qiyam-ul-Layl is the last third of the night.
Although not obligatory, Qiyam-ul-Layl must be practiced by every Muslim to get countless rewards, not only in this world but also on the Day of Judgement.
