Tips for Tahajjud: How to get that *Special Invite* from Allah SWT?

Tips for Tahajjud: How to get that *Special Invite* from Allah SWT?   by Umm Sulaym

“You may see their faces as pale during the day. But as soon as it is night-time, their faces glow just like lanterns in the dark. For they are with the Only One who’s Company they can never have enough of. They are with their Rabb, the Lord of the Worlds.”

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Ibraaheem ibn Shammaas said: “I used to see Ahmad ibn Hanbal staying up at night to pray when he was a young man.”

Abu ‘Aasim al-Nabeel said: “Abu Haneefah used to be called al-Watad (pole or pillar) because he prayed so much.”

Imaam al-Bukhaari used to pray qiyaam and tahajjud at night until the time of suhoor, and he would read between a half and a third of the Qur’aan, and complete it at suhoor every third night.

Al-‘Allaamah Ibn ‘Abd al-Haadi said, describing the qiyaam of Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah: “At night he would keep away from people, and spend that time only with his Lord, beseeching Him continually and reciting Qur’aan, repeating different kinds of acts of worship by night and by day. When he began to pray, his body would start to tremble, leaning to the left and right.”

Ibn Rajab said concerning his shaykh Imaam Ibn al-Qayyim: “He was a man of worship, tahajjud and lengthy prayers. I have never seen his equal in worship and knowledge of the Qur’aan, hadeeth and principles of faith.”

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Asalamoalaykum warahmatullah,

Before we delve into the topic, I just want to highlight the difference between Qiyam al Layl and Tahajjud:

Qiyaam al-layl means spending the night, or part of it, even if it is only one hour, in prayer, reading Qur’aan, remembering Allah (dhikr) and other acts of worship. It is not stipulated that it should take up most of the night.

It says in Maraaqi al-Falaah: What is meant by qiyaam is spending most of the night in worship, or it was said: spending one hour of it, in reading Qur’aan, listening to hadeeth, glorifying Allah (tasbeeh) or sending blessings upon the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him).  [Al-Mawsoo‘ah al-Fiqhiyyah al-Kuwaitiyyah, 34/117.]

Tahajjud means specifically praying at night, and some scholars limited it to prayers that are offered at night after sleeping. Al-Hajjaaj ibn ‘Amr al-Ansaari (may Allah be pleased with him) said: One of you thinks that if he gets up at night and prays until morning comes that he has done tahajjud. But in fact tahajjud means praying after sleeping, then praying after sleeping. That is how the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah upon him) prayed. Al-Haafiz Ibn Hajar said in al-Talkhees al-Habeer (2/35): Its isnaad is hasan; it includes Abu Saalih, the scribe of al-Layth, and it is somewhat weak. It was also narrated by al-Tabaraani, whose isnaad includes Ibn Luhay‘ah, whose report is supported by the one that came before it. End quote.

Thus it becomes clear that qiyaam al-layl is more general than tahajjud, because it includes prayer and other actions, and it includes prayer before and after sleeping. But tahajjud is exclusively praying, and there are two opinions concerning it. The first is that it means praying at any time of the night, which is the view of the majority of fuqaha’. The second is that it is prayer after sleeping. [See: al-Mawsoo‘ah al-Fiqhiyyah, 2/232.]

Al-Qurtubi (may Allah have mercy on him) said in his commentary on the verse (interpretation of the meaning): “And in some parts of the night (also) offer the Salaah (prayer) with it (i.e. recite the Qur’aan in the prayer) as an additional prayer (Tahajjud optional prayer Nawâfil) for you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم). It may be that your Lord will raise you to Maqâm Mahmûd (a station of praise and glory, i.e., the honour of intercession on the Day of Resurrection)” [al-Isra’ 17:97].

Tahajjud comes from hujood, which is doing one thing and the opposite, it so the word hajada may mean he slept or it may mean he stayed up at night, which are opposites. Tahajjud means waking up after sleeping, and it became a name for prayer, because the individual wakes up for it. So tahajjud means getting up to pray at night. This meaning was given by al-Aswad, ‘Ilqimah, ‘Abd al-Rahmaan ibn al-Aswad and others.

Ismaa‘eel ibn Ishaaq al-Qaadi narrated from the hadeeth of al-Hajjaaj ibn ‘Amr, the Companion of the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah upon him) that he said: Does one of you think that if he gets up and spends the entire night in prayer that he had prayed tahajjud? Rather tahajjud is praying after sleeping, then praying after sleeping, then praying after sleeping. This is how the Messenger of Allah (blessing and peace of Allah be upon him) prayed.And it was said tahajjud means sleep, as it is said in Arabic, Tahajjada al-rajul, meaning the man stayed up, and alqa al-hujood, i.e., sleep. And the one who gets up to pray is called mutahajjid. [End quote from Tafseer al-Tabari, 10/307.]

Shaykh Ibn Baaz (may Allah have mercy on him) was asked:

What is the difference between Taraweeh, Qiyaam and Tahajjud? Please advise us, may you be rewarded.

He replied: Prayer at night is called tahajjud or qiyaam al-layl, as Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):“And in some parts of the night (also) offer the Salaah (prayer) with it (i.e. recite the Qur’aan in the prayer) as an additional prayer (Tahajjud optional prayer Nawâfil) for you”  [al-Isra’ 17:79] “O you wrapped in garments (i.e. Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم)! Stand (to pray) all night, except a little” [al-Muzzammil 73:1-2]“They used to sleep but little by night [invoking their Lord (Allaah) and praying, with fear and hope]”[al-Dhaariyaat 51:17]. With regard to Taraweeh, the scholars use this word to refer to qiyaam al-layl in Ramadan at the beginning of the night, which should be made light and not lengthy. It may also be called tahajjud or qiyaam al-layl.

[End quote from Fataawa al-Shaykh Ibn Baaz, 11/317., Islam QA, Fatwa #  50070]

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[All Advice taken from a Sister and IslamQA]

If you’re not in the habit of this virtuous act and have problem with waking up despite having tried several times, then pray your Nawaafil before going to sleep. While it is more rewarding to sleep and wake up for Nawaafil, it is worth mentioning that one should not give up what he can do within his means and inshaa’Allah Allah SWT will help him as he strives for Tahajjud. Like you plan for any important event of your life, Tahajjud prep must be done before-hand as well and it begins with Fajr. As you read this, don’t depend on your capabilities. Depend on His Mercy and you would attempt to do things without a self-defeated attitude. Have strong conviction in Allah SWT’s Mercy inshaa’Allah!

• You must begin the day with morning  from the authentic Sunnah of Rasulalah salalahu ‘alayhi wasalam. Shortly after, you must commence your day with Quraan and then go about work or whatever things you have to attend to.
• You must spend the day fearing Allah SWT as much as you can with your senses,tongue and limbs. If that means avoiding certain places such as hallways or even people such as colleagues/peers then please do so, tactfully. Avoid sinning as much as possible.
  • If the Muslim wants to be one of those who earn the honour of speaking to Allaah in the depths of the night, let him beware of sin, for the one who is contaminated with the stain of sin will not be helped to pray qiyaam al-layl. A man said to Ibraaheem ibn Adham, “I cannot pray qiyaam  al-layl, so tell me the cure for this.” He said, “Do not commit sin during the day, and He will help you to stand before Him at night, for your standing before Him at night is one of the greatest honours, and the sinner does not deserve that honour.”
  • A man said to al-Hasan al-Basri: “”O Abu Sa’eed, I sleep in good health, and I love to pray qiyaam al-layl, and I prepare water with which to purify myself, so why can I not get up?” Al-Hasan said: “Your sins are restricting you.” He said, may Allaah have mercy on him, “The slave who commits a sin will be denied the opportunity to pray qiyaam at night and to fast during the day.”
  • Al-Fudayl ibn ‘Ayaad said: “If you cannot pray qiyaam al-layl, or fast during the day, know that you are indeed deprived and restricted, chained by your sins.”

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Some tips for your day to be able to wake up for Tahajjud :

• It is preferred that what you eat is of high nutritional value and is not consumed for the sake of taste buds. Heavy food feeds our Nafs so one must be careful about that because if your Nafs is stro
  nger then it can overcome the enthusiasm you need to wake up when everyone’s asleep. The best food for you, however, to achieve your goal is fasting.
• Doha prayer is a bonus.
• Take a mid-day nap/siesta before Dhuhr or after.
  • Anas (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Take a nap, for the shayaateen do not take naps.” (Reported by al-Tabaraani. Al-Saheehah, 2647).
  • Ishaaq ibn ‘Abd-Allaah said: “Taking a nap is one of the deeds of good people. It revitalizes the heart and helps one to pray qiyaam al-layl.”
  • Al-Hasan al-Basri passed by a group of people in the marketplace in the middle of the day, and heard the racket they were making. He said, “Do these people take a nap?” It was said to him, “No.” He said, “I think their nights must be bad.”

• Remain pure all day, i.e. in Wudhu. For sisters, make sure you remove your water-proof make-up (if you wear it) and perform proper Wudhu.
• Praying obligatory prayers on time with maximum khushoo’. Try to schedule your meetings/commitments/calls around it.
• Don’t forget your evening supplications because usually that’s a rush hour timing and people are busy rushing back home. Recite your Adhkaar soon after ‘Asr.
• Enter your house with the remembrance of Allah SWT. Make your house Shaytan-proof by reciting Surat’l Baqarah at home or making sure that it is played in it.
  • It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Do not make your houses into graves, for the Shaytaan flees from a house in which Soorat al-Baqarah is recited.” [Narrated by Muslim (780).]
  • It was narrated from Jaabir ibn ‘Abd-Allaah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that he heard the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) say: “When a man enters his house, and mentions Allaah, may He be glorified and exalted, when he enters and when he eats, the shaytaan says: ‘You have no place to stay and no dinner.’ But if he enters and does not mention Allaah when he enters, the shaytaan says, ‘You have found a place to stay.’ And if he does not mention Allaah when he eats, he says: ‘You have found a place to stay and dinner.’” [Narrated by Muslim (2018).]
  • Shaykh Ibn Baaz (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in Majmoo’ al-Fataawa (24/413):  It seems – and Allaah knows best – that by means of the reading of all of Soorat al-Baqarah, either on the radio or by the owner of the house, that which was mentioned by the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) may be achieved, namely shaytaan fleeing from that house. [Islam QA, Fatwa # 77208]

• Especially at home : be careful not to hurt anyone with your behaviour or words. Avoid conflicts.
• Have an early light dinner. 7pm is ideal but anytime before 8pm works.
  • Sufyaan al-Thawri said: “You should eat little, so that you will be able to pray qiyaam al-layl.”
  • Ma’qal ibn Habeeb saw some people eating a lot, and said, ‘I do not think that our companions want to pray qiyaam al-layl.”
  • Wahb ibn Munbih said: “There is no son of Adam dearer to his shaytaan than the one who eats and sleeps a lot.”

• Disconnect from all technology 15 min before Ishaa’ Salah. Do your nightly clean-up routine and prepare for Ishaa Salah.
• Say salaam to your family and excuse them for the night. This is important.
• Pray your FarD Salah and the Sunnahs. If you wish to pray Nawafil, you may. But as soon as you’re done, make duaa to Allah SWT for forgiveness. Make sure you don’t jeopardize your FarD Salah for Nawafil!

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Preparation before sleep:

• Go to sleep early!
  • One of the ahaadeeth that describe its virtues was narrated by Abu Barzah al-Aslami (may Allaah be pleased with him) who said that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to prefer to delay ‘Ishaa’, and he did not like to sleep before it or talk after it. (Reported by al-Bukhaari).
  •  Al-Haafiz Ibn Hajar reported that al-Qaadi ‘Ayaad said, concerning the phrase “He did not like to sleep before it”: “Because that could lead to one praying it too late, or delaying it until after the preferred time, and talking after it could lead to one sleeping before Fajr and missing it, or missing qiyaam al-layl.”
  •  Ibn Raafi’ said: “ ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab (may Allaah be pleased with him) used to wave his stick at the people when darkness fell, and would say, ‘Get up and go, may Allaah help you to pray qiyaam at night!’”
• It is advisable to drink 2 glasses of water before you sleep. If no other alarm works at least the call of nature will wake you up.
• If you live in a cold place, make sure you’re not too warm. Some people wear socks when they go to sleep. Take them off. If you live in a hot country, make sure it’s not too cool that you get extremely comfortable and it’s difficult for you to wake up. Don’t invest in a more comfy mattress. The more comfortable your bed is, the greater its pull of attraction is going to be when you’re going to need all your Eeman’s energy to jump out of bed. Be extra cautious in these small matters.
  • ‘Ali ibn Bakkaar (may Allaah have mercy on him) used to have a slave-woman who would spread out his bed for him, and he would touch it with his hand and say: “By Allaah, you are good, and by Allaah you are cool, but by Allaah I will not rest on you tonight.” Then he would get up and pray qiyaam until Fajr.
• Add 5-6 alarms to your cellphone/smartphone. Place them right next to your ears.
• Make sure you are in a state of Taharah (purity) so that Angels make dua for you and your duaa is accepted.
  • Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with them both) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Purify these bodies and Allaah will purify you, for there is no slave who goes to sleep in a state of purity but an angel spends the night with him, and every time he turns over, [the angel] says, ‘O Allaah, forgive Your slave, for he went to bed in a state of purity.’” [Reported by al-Tabaraani. Al-Mundhiri said, its isnaad is jaayid. Saheeh al-Jaami’, 3831].
  • Mu’aad ibn Jabal (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “There is no Muslim who goes to sleep remembering Allaah and in a state of purity, and when he turns over he asks Allaah for good in this world and the next, but it will be given to him.” [Reported by Abu Dawood and Ahmad. Saheeh al-Jaami’, 5754].
• Remind yourself of the virtues of Qiyam al Layl. Think about them deeply and try to build that desire within yourself.
  • Whoever knows the virtues of this act of worship will be keen to talk to Allaah, may He be exalted, and to stand before Him at that time. Among the reports that describe the virtues of this act of worship is the hadeeth of Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him), in which the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The best of prayers after the prescribed prayers is prayer in the depths of the night, and the best of fasting after the month of Ramadaan is fasting the month of Allaah, Muharram.” [reported by Muslim].
  • Prophet salalahu ‘alayhi wasalam has also said in various traditions:
    • “You should pray qiyaam al-layl, for it is the custom of the righteous who came before you and it brings you closer to your Lord, and expiates sins and prevents misdeeds.” [Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 3549; classed as hasan by al-Albaani in Irwa’ al-Ghaleel, 452.]
    • (Narrated by Ibn Mas’ood RA): “Our Lord admires two men: a man who leaves his mattress and cover, and slips away from his wife and lover, to go and pray. Allaah says, ‘O My angels, look at My slave. He has left his mattress and cover and slipped away from his lover and wife to pray, out of hope for what is with Me and out of fear of what is with Me.” [Reported by Ahmad. It is a hasan report. Saheeh al-Targheeb, 258].
    • (Reported by ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Amr RA): “The most beloved of prayer to Allaah is the prayer of Dawood, and the most beloved of fasts to Allaah is the fast of Dawood. He used to sleep for half of the night, then get up and pray for a third of the night, then sleep for a sixth of the night, and he used to fast every other day.” (Agreed upon).
    • (Reported by ‘Ali RA): “In Paradise there are apartments the outside of which can be seen from the inside and the inside of which can be seen from the outside.” A Bedouin stood up and said: “Who are they for, O Messenger of Allaah?” He said: “They are for those who speak good words, feed others, fast regularly and pray to Allaah at night when people are sleeping.” [Classed as hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi.]
    • (Narrated by Hakim): “Jibreel came to me and said: ‘O Muhammad, live as long as you want, for you will die. Love whomever you want, for you will leave him. Do whatever you want for you will be requited for it. Remember that the believer’s honour is his praying at night, and his pride is his being independent of people.” [Classed as hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami’, 73.]

• Make a strong sincere duaa, yearning for an invite from Him, asking for forgiveness to remove all barriers.
  • The person who wants to pray qiyaam al-layl should realize that Allaah is calling him to qiyaam. When the slave realizes that his Master, Who has no need of people’s worship, is calling him to do this, he will respond. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “O you wrapped in your garments (i.e., Prophet Muhammad)! Stand (to pray) all night, except a little. Half of it, or a little less than that, or a little more; and recite the Qur’aan (aloud) in a slow, (pleasant tone and) style.” [al-Muzzammil 73:1-4].
  • Sa’d ibn Hishaam ibn ‘Aamir said to ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her): “Tell me about how the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) prayed qiyaam.” She said: “Have you not read “Yaa ayyuha’l-muzzammil (O you wrapped in your garments!)?” He said, “Of course.” She said: “Allaah, may He be exalted and glorified, made qiyaam obligatory at the beginning of this soorah, so the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and his companions prayed qiyaam for a year, and Allaah withheld the end of this soorah for twelve months, until He revealed something at the end of this soorah to make things easier, so qiyaam al-layl became voluntary after it had been obligatory.” (Reported by Muslim).
• Sleep is the small sister of death. Make sure as you prepare for Qiyaam al Layl, you also prepare for your grave. Recite Suratul Mulk.
  • It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “A soorah from the Qur’aan containing thirty verses will intercede for a man so that he will be forgiven. It is the soorah Tabaarak Alathi bi yadihi’l-mulk [i.e., Soorat al-Mulk].” [Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 2891; Abu Dawood, 1400; Ibn Maajah, 3786. Al-Tirmidhi said, this is a hasan hadeeth. It was classed as saheeh by Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah in Majmoo’ al-Fataawa, 22/277, and by Shaykh al-Albaani in Saheeh Ibn Maajah, 3053.]
  • What is meant is that a person should read it every night, act in accordance with the rulings contained in it, and believe in the information mentioned in it.
  • It was narrated that ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Mas’ood said: Whoever reads Tabaarak allaahi bi yadihi’l-mulk [i.e., Soorat al-Mulk] every night, Allaah will protect him from the torment of the grave. At the time of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) we used to call it al-maani’ah (that which protects). In the Book of Allaah it is a soorah which, whoever recites it every night has done very well. [narrated by al-Nasaa’i, 6/179; classed as hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Targheeb wa’l-Tarheeb, 1475.] The scholars of the Standing Committee said: One this basis there is the hope that whoever believes in this soorah and reads it regularly, seeking the pleasure of Allaah, learning the lessons contained in it and acting in accordance with the rulings contained therein, it will intercede for him [in the Hereafter]. [Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah, 4/334, 335]

• Build a Shaytan-proof fortress around you by reciting specific Surahs/verses.

(1) Ayatul Qursiy : It says in a mu’allaq report narrated in Saheeh al-Bukhaari (2311) that Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) appointed me to guard the zakaah of Ramadaan, then someone came and started rummaging in the foodstuff … and at the end of the hadeeth he said: “When you go to your bed, recite Aayat al-Kursiy, for there will remain with you a guardian from Allaah, and no devil will approach you, until morning comes.” The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “He told you the truth although he is a liar. That was a devil.”

(2) Last 2 (preferrably 3) verses of Surat’l Baqarah: It was narrated from Abu Mas’ood al-Ansaari (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever recites the last two verses of Soorat al-Baqarah at night, they will suffice him.” [Narrated by al-Bukhaari (5009) and Muslim (2714)]. Ibn al-Qayyim said in al-Waabil al-Sayyib (132): “They will suffice him against any evil that may harm him.” It was narrated that ‘Ali (may Allaah be pleased with him) said:  “I did not think that any sane person could sleep without reciting the last three verses of Soorat al-Baqarah.”  [In al-Adhkaar (220), al-Nawawi attributed it to the report of Abu Bakr ibn Abi Dawood, then he said: It is saheeh according to the conditions of al-Bukhaari and Muslim.]

(3) Surat’l Kaafiroon, Ikhlaas, Falaq and An-Naas: It was narrated that Nawfal al-Ashja’i (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said to me: “Recite Qul yaa ayyuha’l-kaafiroon then go to sleep at the end of it, for it is a disavowal of shirk.” [Narrated by Abu Dawood (5055) and al-Tirmidhi (3400); classed as hasan by Ibn Hajar in Nataa’ij al-Afkaar (3/6); classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood]. It was narrated from ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) that when the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) went to bed every night, he would hold his hands together and blow into them, and recite into them Qul Huwa Allaahu Ahad, Qul a’oodhu bi rabb il-falaq and Qul a’oodhu bi rabb il-naas. Then he would wipe them over whatever he could of his body, starting with his head and face and the front of his body, and he would do that three times. [Narrated by al-Bukhaari (5017)]

(4) Other adhkaar from Sunnah : check out your fortress of Muslim for that. You can download it from here.

(5) For extra points, you can also recite Surat’l Israa and Az-Zumar. It was narrated that ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) said: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) would not go to sleep until he had recited Bani Israa’eel (Soorat al-Isra’) and al-Zumar. [Narrated by al-Tirmidhi (3402) who said: it is a hasan hadeeth. It was also classed as hasan by al-Haafiz Ibn Hajar in Nataa’ij al-Afkaar (3/65), and it was classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi.]

• Position yourself on your right side, preferably towards the Qiblah (death can overtake anyone).

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Notable Women who were excellent Worshippers:

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• ‘Urwah ibn al-Zubayr said: “I came to ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) one day to greet her, and I found her praying and reciting the aayah (interpretation of the meaning), ‘But Allaah has been gracious to us, and has saved us from the torment of the Fire’ [al-Toor 52:27], repeating it and weeping. I waited for her, but I got bored of waiting, so I went to the market for some things I needed, then I came back to ‘Aa’ishah, and she was still praying and reciting this aayah and weeping.”
• Anas ibn Maalik (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Jibreel said to me, ‘Go back to Hafsah, for she fasts a lot and prays a lot at night (qiyaam al-layl).’” (Reported by al-Haakim, Saheeh al-Jaami’, 4227).
• Mu’aadhah al-‘Adawiyyah, one of the righteous Taabi’aat spent her wedding night, along with her husband Silah ibn Ashyam, praying until Fajr. When her husband and son were killed in the land of jihaad, she would spend the whole night in prayer, worshipping and beseeching Allaah, and she would sleep during the day. If she felt sleepy whilst she was praying at night, she would tell herself: “O soul, there is plenty of sleep ahead of you.”
• When Habeebah al-‘Adawiyyah prayed ‘Ishaa’, she would stand on the roof of her house, wearing her chemise and khimaar (i.e., covered in proper Islamic dress), then she would say, “O my God, the stars have come out, people have gone to sleep, and kings have closed their doors, but Your door is open. Every lover is alone with his lover, but here I am standing before You.” Then she would start to pray and talk to her Lord until the time of suhoor. When the time of suhoor came, she would say, “O Allaah, this night is ending, the day is coming, and I wish I knew whether you have accepted this night (of worship) from me, so that I could congratulate myself, or if it has been rejected, so that I might console myself.”
• ‘Amrah, the wife of Habeeb al-‘Ajami, prayed qiyaam al-layl one night whilst her husband was asleep. When the time for suhoor came, and her husband was still asleep, she woke him up and said to him, “Get up, my master, for the night has gone, the day has come and ahead of you lies a long road with little provision, and a small group of righteous people who have gone before us, and we are still here.”

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Heart Softeners

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• Abu’l-Darda’ (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: “Pray two rak’ahs in the darkness of the night for the darkness of the grave.” Ahmad ibn Harb said: “I am astonished at people who know that the delights of Paradise lie above them and the horrors of Hell lie beneath them. How can they sleep in between them?”
• When ‘Umar ibn Dharr saw that night had come, he would say: “Night has come, and night has dignity, and Allaah is most deserving of reverence.”
• Yahyaa ibn Mu’aadh said: “The medicine of the heart is five things: reading Qur’aan and pondering the meaning, having an empty stomach, praying at night (qiyaam al-layl), beseeching Allaah at the time of suhoor, and keeping company with righteous people.”
• Al-Fudayl ibn ‘Ayaad said: “I met some people who feel ashamed before Allaah to sleep for too long in the depths of the night. Such a person may be resting on his side, and when he moves, he says to himself, ‘This is not your right. Get up and take your share of the Hereafter.’”
• Al-Hasan said: “We do not know of any deed more difficult than the struggle to stay up at night or to spend money.” It was said to him, “Why do the mutahajjadeen (those who pray Tahajjud at night) have the most beautiful faces?” He said, “Because they spend time alone with the Most Merciful, so He adorns them with some of His light.”
• ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Wahb said: “Every type of pleasure is enjoyed only once, except for acts of worship, which are enjoyed three times: when you do it, when you remember it, and when you are given the reward for it.”
• Muhammad ibn al-Munkadir said: “There is nothing left of the joys of this life except three: qiyaam al-layl, meeting one’s brothers in faith, and praying in congregation.”
• Thaabit al-Banaani said: “There is nothing I enjoy more than qiyaam al-layl.”
• Yazeed al-Riqaashi said: “A lot of tahajjud brings delight to the worshippers, and a lot of thirst (i.e., fasting), brings joy when they meet Allaah.”
• Mukhallad ibn Husayn said: “I never woke up at night except I saw Ibraaheem ibn Adham remembering Allaah and praying, and this made me depressed, so I consoled myself with this aayah (interpretation of the meaning): ‘…That is the Grace of Allaahm which He bestows on whom He pleases. And Allaah is the Owner of Great Bounty’ [al-Hadeed 54:21].”

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“Dedication takes a lifetime. Dreams only last a night.”

If you follow the steps mentioned above out of sincere love for this act then He SWT will bestow you with His Mercy of a Secret Invite to the realm of bliss inshaa’Allah! If for some reason, you are unable to do all or some of the above steps due to certain circumstances in life, then do not despair for Allah SWT rewards a believer for his intention as well. In the meanwhile keep working on it. Most of us spend years on perfecting our skills, getting a degree etc. so if we keep on trying to achieve this goal for the rest of our lives despite failing, who knows Allah SWT will bless us with this invite right before we die? And it is a sign of a good end if Allah SWT grants someone special hidayah and opportunities in their old age. Therefore, in the end it’s all worth it. The struggle, the tears and the frustration! Never let Shaytan make you think you can’t do it and make you pity yourself. What you need before anything is sincerity. If you have that, you have essentially unlocked a door to much goodness. Your obstacles may be greater than you but you have the power to raise your hands to the One who is greater than all obstacles of this world, who is competent over them and who can remove them if and only if you hold onto repentance inshaa’Allah. And Allah SWT knows best.

[Note: certain quotes miss references, that’s because I’ve taken them from Islam Q & A directly, fatwa 3749.]

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May Allah SWT grant us a life of a knowledgeable worshipper and death of a Shaheed. May Allah SWT surround us with people whom He loves so that if we fall behind in our ‘Ibadaat, we have people who would remind us. Ameen.