Excellence of Prayer at Night - Qiyam al-layl

Qiyaam al-layl(The night prayer ) is Sunnah mu’akkadah (a confirmed Sunnah) which plays a great role in strengthening one's faith and gaining more rewards. Many texts of the Qur’aan and Sunnah encourage it and speak of its high status and great reward. This Qiyaam al-layl(The night prayer ) is not performed only during Ramadhan as most of us practice, it is a spiritual activity which should be performed everyday.But in Ramdhan Qiyaam al-layl(The night prayer ) has multiplied good deeds as it is a blessed month.

when Allah says about those who stands at the night for prayer:

Is one who is devoutly obedient during periods of the night, prostrating and standing [in prayer], fearing the Hereafter and hoping for the mercy of his Lord, [like one who does not]? Say, "Are those who know equal to those who do not know?" Only they will remember [who are] people of understanding.[Az-Zumar 39:9]

And in another Quranic verse Allah states as:
Only those believe in Our verses who, when they are reminded by them, fall down in prostration and exalt [ Allah ] with praise of their Lord, and they are not arrogant.They arise from [their] beds; they supplicate their Lord in fear and aspiration, and from what We have provided them, they spend.And no soul knows what has been hidden for them of comfort for eyes as reward for what they used to do.   [al-Sajdah 32:15-17]

And in another Quranic verse Allah states as:

Verily, the Muttaqoon (the pious) will be in the midst of Gardens and Springs (in the Paradise),Taking joy in the things which their Lord has given them. Verily, they were before this Muhsinoon (good‑doers).They used to sleep but little by night [invoking their Lord (Allaah) and praying, with fear and hope]” [al-Dhaariyaat 51:15-17]

From this we may note the virtue of qiyaam al-layl and its good consequences that cannot be ignored; it is one of the means of avoiding the punishment of Hell and attaining Paradise. May Allaah make us among those who attain success thereby.

And prophet Muhammed (pbuh) said the excellency of Qiyaam al-layl and encouraged us to pray qiyaam al-layl in many ahaadeeth as follows:

"Abdullah bin Salam (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (PBUH) said, "O people, promote the greetings, feed (the poor and needy) and perform Salat when others are asleep so that you will enter Jannah safely." [At-Tirmidhi].

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The best prayer after the obligatory prayer is prayer at night.” Narrated by Muslim, 1163.

And he said: “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,

Al-Tirmidhi (1984) narrated that ‘Ali said: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “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.” Saheeh al-Tirmidhi. 

Article by www.ssumaiya.blogspot.com                                                      Allah knows the best...