Ruhul Adab

Commentary of Imam Hassane Cisse

39. Night Vigil

The author advises that the Knower of Allah should, as a part of showing thanks to Allah, always keep the Night Vigil. During which time he prays and seeks for Allah’s forgiveness and blessings. Allah has favored the prophet ﷺ and forgiven him all his past and future sins. Yet, He commanded the prophet to keep the Night Vigil. Allah said in the Qur’an 17:79 “And from [part of] the night, pray with it as additional [worship] for you; it is expected that your Lord will resurrect you to a praised station”. Allah also addressed the Prophet SAW in the Qur’an 73:1-3 “Oh covered one, stand (in prayer) in the night except a little, half of it or reduce from it a little, or increase on it and recite the Qur’an in (beautiful) recitation.” It has been reported by the wife of the Prophet ﷺ, Ayesha RA, that the Prophet ﷺ used to stand in the night, praying until his legs would swell and when she asked him why does he do this, because Allah has forgiven his past and future sins?, the Prophet SAW replied: “should I not be a grateful servant?”. The Night Vigil is very important and encouraged by the prophet ﷺ. One day Hafsah RA, the wife of the Prophet ﷺ related the dream of her brother Abdullah, the son of ‘Umar RA to the Prophet ﷺ. The Prophet SAW commented: “What a fortunate youth is Abdullah except that he doesn’t keep the Night Vigil”. Companions were discussing the level of piety of Abdullah the son of ‘Umar, and the Prophet ﷺ said: “Abdullah never missed the Night Vigil since that day”. It has been reported that the Prophet ﷺ used to say 11 or 13 rakaat of prayers at night and that he recited very long Surahs in each of the rakaat.

To be continued in shaa Allah.

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