Night prayer (Qiyam al-Layl) holds an exalted status in Islam as a profound act of devotion that draws a servant closer to Allah. Beyond being a hallmark of the inhabitants of Paradise, it serves as a spiritual shield against hypocrisy. Upon his arrival in Medina, Prophet Muhammad (ï·º) emphasized its significance in his initial counsel, highlighting it as a path to entering Paradise in peace. While initially ordained as an obligation for the Prophet (ï·º) and his Companions during the early days of Islam, it was subsequently established as a highly recommended Sunnah (Sunnah Mu’akkadah).
Regarding the number of units (Rak’ahs), the Prophet (ï·º) typically performed eleven or thirteen Rak’ahs, including the Witr prayer. However, as there is no strictly defined limit for this voluntary worship, one may perform additional Rak’ahs. Notably, during the caliphate of Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), the Tarawih prayer began to be performed in congregation as twenty Rak’ahs. The most virtuous time for this prayer is the final third of the night—a sacred time when Allah descends to the lowest heaven, promising to answer the supplications of His servants and grant them forgiveness.
The night prayer is performed in cycles of two Rak’ahs, concluding the night’s devotions with the Witr prayer as an odd-numbered unit. It is regarded as the most superior prayer after the obligatory ones. The spiritual and physical benefits of Qiyam al-Layl are manifold; it facilitates healing, expiates sins, and cultivates profound sincerity within the heart. Therefore, it is highly encouraged for every Muslim to remain steadfast in this noble worship, even if performed in a modest capacity.
