Voluntary Night Prayer (Qiyaam)
42 hadiths
Whoever performs Qiyām (night prayer) in the Night of Decree, out of faith and in pursuit of reward, his past sins will be forgiven
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Whoever performs Qiyām (night prayer) in the Night of Decree, out of faith and in pursuit of reward, his past sins will be forgiven."
Wake up ‘Āʾishah and pray Witr
‘Ā'ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported: The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to pray at night while she would be asleep in front of him. When only the Witr was left, he would wake her and she would perform it. According to another narration, he would say: "Wake up ‘Ā'ishah and pray Witr."
We used to prepare for the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) his tooth-stick and the water he used for making ablution. Then, Allah would awaken him whenever He willed during the night, and he would brush his teeth with the tooth-stick, make ablution, and perform prayer
‘Ā'ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported: We used to prepare for the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) his tooth-stick and the water he used for making ablution. Then, Allah would awaken him whenever He willed during the night, and he would brush his teeth with the tooth-stick, make ablution, and perform prayer.
At every part of the night, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) prayed Witr: at its beginning, middle, and end. Finally he settled on performing Witr just before dawn
‘Ā'ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported: 'At every part of the night, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) prayed Witr: at its beginning, middle, and end. Finally he settled on performing Witr just before dawn.
O people, spread the greeting of peace, feed others, maintain kinship ties, and pray at night when people are asleep, and you will enter Paradise in peace
‘Abdullāh ibn Salām (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: When the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) came to Madīnah, the people rushed to meet him, and it was said: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) has come! The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) has come! The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) has come! Three times. I came with the people to see him, and when I saw his face clearly, I knew that his face was not the face of a liar. The first thing I heard him say was: "O people, spread the greeting of peace, feed others, maintain kinship ties, and pray at night when people are asleep, and you will enter Paradise in peace."
The most excellent fast after Ramadan is Allah's month, Muharram, and the most excellent prayer after what is prescribed is prayer during the night
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The most excellent fast after Ramadan is Allah's month, Muharram, and the most excellent prayer after what is prescribed is prayer during the night."
O ‘Ā'ishah, indeed, my eyes sleep but my heart does not sleep
Abu Salamah ibn ‘Abdur-Rahmān (may Allah have mercy upon him) reported that he asked ‘Ā'ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) how the Prophet's prayer was in Ramadan. She said: "Neither in Ramadan, nor in any other month, did the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) exceed the eleven Rak‘ahs of prayer. He would pray four – and do not ask about their beauty and length; then he would pray another four, and do not ask about their beauty and length either, then he would pray three." ‘Ā'ishah then added: "I asked him: 'O Messenger of Allah, do you sleep before performing the Witr prayer?' he said: 'O ‘Ā'ishah, indeed, my eyes sleep but my heart does not sleep.'"
Perform Witr prayer before the morning
Abu Sa‘īd al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Perform Witr prayer before the morning."
If anyone fears that he will not wake up at the end of the night, let him offer Witr prayer at the beginning of the night; and anyone expects to wake up at the end of the night, let him offer Witr prayer at the end of the night. Indeed, prayer at the end of the night is witnessed (by the angels) and that is better
Jābir (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "If anyone fears that he will not wake up at the end of the night, let him offer Witr prayer at the beginning of the night; and anyone expects to wake up at the end of the night, let him offer Witr prayer at the end of the night. Indeed, prayer at the end of the night is witnessed (by the angels) and that is better."
أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم طَرَقَ عليا وفاطمة ليلاً، فقال: ألا تُصَلِّيَانِ
عن علي رضي الله عنه : أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم طَرَقَه وفاطمة ليلاً، فقال: «ألا تُصَلِّيَانِ؟».
Make haste to perform the Witr prayer before the morning
Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Make haste to perform the Witr prayer before the morning."
When one of you stands up for offering voluntary prayer at night and finds it difficult to recite the Qur'an accurately, and he is unaware of what he is reciting, he should lie down
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "When one of you stands up for offering voluntary prayer at night and finds it difficult to recite the Qur'an accurately, and he is unaware of what he is reciting, he should lie down."
The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to stand in prayer at night until the skin of his feet would crack
‘Ā'ishah and Al-Mughīrah ibn Shu‘bah (may Allah be pleased with both of them) reported: The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to stand in prayer at night until the skin of his feet would crack. I (‘Ā'ishah) asked him: "O Messenger of Allah, why are you doing this while your past and future sins have been forgiven for you?" He said: "Should I not like to be a grateful slave (of Allah)?"
Whoever sleeps and fails to recite his nightly portion, or part of it, and then recites it between the Fajr prayer and the Zhuhr prayer, it will be recorded for him as if he recited it during the night
‘Umar ibn al-Khattāb (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Whoever sleeps and fails to recite his nightly portion, or part of it, and then recites it between the Fajr prayer and the Zhuhr prayer, it will be recorded for him as if he recited it during the night."
When one of you feels drowsy during prayer, let him lie down till drowsiness goes away from him
‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "When one of you feels drowsy during prayer, let him lie down till drowsiness goes away from him, because when one of you performs prayers while feeling sleepy, unknowingly instead of seeking forgiveness he might abuses himself."
You should pray as long as you have the energy to do so. If you feel tired, then lie down
Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) came one day into the mosque and saw a rope stretched between two poles. He inquired: "What is this rope for?" He was told: "This is Zaynab's rope. When she feels tired (in voluntary prayer), she holds on to it for support." The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Untie it. You should pray as long as you have the energy to do so. If you feel tired, then lie down."
Do (good) deeds according to your capacity, for by Allah, Allah never grows weary (of giving rewards) unless you grow weary (of doing good deeds), and the best deed in His sight is that which is done regularly
‘Ā'ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) came in while a woman was sitting with her. He said: "Who is she?" ‘Ā'ishah replied: "She is so-and-so," and told him about her (excessive) praying. He said disapprovingly: "Do (good) deeds according to your capacity, for by Allah, Allah never grows weary (of giving rewards) unless you grow weary (of doing good deeds), and the best deed in His sight is that which is done regularly.”
O Allah, to You I submit, in You I believe, upon You I rely, by Your help I contend with my foes, and to You I refer for judgment. So, forgive me the sins I committed in the past and those I may commit in the future, those I did secretly and those I did openly, and all that which You know of better than I do. There is no god but You
Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: When the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) offered voluntary prayer during the night, he would say: "O Allah, our Lord! All praise belongs to You. You are the Custodian of the heavens and the earth, all praise belongs to You. You are the Lord of the heavens and the earth and all what is in them, all praise belongs to You. You are the Light of the heavens and the earth and all that is in them. You are the Truth, Your speech is the Truth, Your promise is the Truth, Your meeting is the Truth, Paradise is true, Hell-fire is true, and the Hour is true. O Allah, to You I submit, in You I believe, upon You I rely, By Your help I contend with my foes, and to You I refer for judgment. So, forgive me the sins I committed in the past and those I may commit in the future, those I did secretly and those I did openly, and all that which You know of better than I do. There is no god but You.”
One night, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) performed Qiyām while reciting a single verse from the Qur'an
‘Ā'ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported: One night, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) performed Qiyām while reciting a single verse from the Qur'an (over and over again).
A man asked the Prophet (ﷺ) while he was on the pulpit: What do you say about the night prayer? He (ﷺ) said: "Two by two
‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) reported: A man asked the Prophet (ﷺ) while he was on the pulpit: What do you say about the night prayer? He (ﷺ) said: "Two by two (i.e., in sets of two Rak‘ahs). When he fears that dawn is approaching, he should pray one (Rak‘ah), which will make what he has prayed Witr (odd)." And he (ﷺ) used to say: "Make the last of your prayers at night Witr,” for the Prophet (ﷺ) commanded it.
The Witr is due, so whoever wants to pray the Witr as seven (units of prayer), let him do so; whoever wants to pray the Witr as five, let him do so; whoever wants to pray the Witr as three, let him do so; and whoever wants to pray the Witr as one, let him do so
Abu Ayyūb al-Ansāri (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The Witr is due, so whoever wants to pray the Witr as seven (units of prayer), let him do so; whoever wants to pray the Witr as five, let him do so; whoever wants to pray the Witr as three, let him do so; and whoever wants to pray the Witr as one, let him do so."
The Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) led us in prayer during the month of Ramadan, offering eight Rak‘ahs as well as the Witr. The next night, we gathered in the mosque and hoped that he would come out to us. However, we remained in the mosque until the morning
Jābir ibn ‘Abdullāh (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) led us in prayer during the month of Ramadan, offering eight Rak‘ahs as well as the Witr. The next night, we gathered in the mosque and hoped that he would come out to us. However, we remained in the mosque until the morning. Thereafter, we entered the Messenger’s place and said to him: "O Messenger of Allah, we were hoping that you would come out and lead us in prayer." He replied: "I feared that the Witr might be made obligatory upon you."
O ‘Abdullāh, do not be like so-and-so. He used to offer Qiyām al-Layl and then abandoned it
‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Amr ibn al-‘Ās (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said to me: "O ‘Abdullāh, do not be like so-and-so. He used to offer Qiyām al-Layl and then abandoned it."
O people of the Qur'an, perform the Witr Prayer for, verily, Allah is Witr (single) and loves what is Witr (single, odd)
‘Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "O people of the Qur'an, perform the Witr Prayer for, verily, Allah is Witr (single) and loves what is Witr (single, odd)."
There should not be two Witr prayers during one night
Qays ibn Talq reported: Talq ibn ‘Ali visited us one day during Ramadan. He stayed with us until the evening and broke his fast with us. Then he led us in voluntary night prayer and the Witr prayer. Afterwards he went to his mosque and led his companions in prayer. When only the Witr prayer was remaining, he asked another man to step forward and said: ‘Lead your companions in the Witr prayer, because I heard the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) saying: "There should not be two Witr prayers during one night."
If anyone sleeps before praying Witr or forgets it, let him pray it once he remembers it
Abu Sa‘īd al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) reported the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "If anyone sleeps before praying Witr or forgets it, let him pray it once he remembers it."
O Allah, place light in my heart, light in my sight, light in my hearing, light on my right, light on my left, light above me, light below me, light in front of me, light behind me, make light for me
Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: I stayed overnight in the house of my aunt Maymūnah. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) got up in the night and went to answer the call of nature, then he washed his face and hands, then he slept. Then he got up again and opened the water skin, then he performed ablution from a hanging water skin, not using much water, yet he washed all the parts properly and then offered the prayer. I got up and straightened my back in order that the Prophet might not feel that I was watching him, and then I performed the ablution, and when he got up to offer the prayer, I stood on his left. He caught hold of my ear and brought me over to his right side. He offered thirteen Rak‘ahs in all and then laid down and slept till he started snoring as he used to do when he slept. In the meantime Bilāl informed the Prophet of the approaching time for the (Fajr) prayer, and the Prophet offered the prayer without performing new ablution. He used to say in his invocation: "O Allah, place light in my heart, light in my sight, light in my hearing, light on my right, light on my left, light above me, light below me, light in front of me, light behind me, make light for me!"
يا أبا بكر ارفع من صوتك شيئاً
عن أبي قتادة: أن النبيَّ -صلَّى الله عليه وسلم- خَرَجَ ليلةً فإذا هو بأبي بكر يُصلَّي يَخْفِضُ من صوته، قال: ومرَ بعمر بن الخطَاب وهو يُصلّي رافعاً صوته، قال: فلما اجتمعا عندَ النبيَّ -صلَّى الله عليه وسلم- قال النبي -صلَّى الله عليه وسلم-: "يا أبا بكر، مررتُ بكَ وأنت تُصلّي تَخْفِضُ صوتَك" قال: قد أسمعتُ من ناجيْتُ يا رسولَ الله، قال: وقال لعمر: "مررتُ بك وأنتَ تُصلّي رافعاً صوتك"قال: فقال: يا رسولَ الله، أُوقظُ الوَسْنان، وأطْردُ الشيطان، فقال النبي -صلَّى الله عليه وسلم-: "يا أبا بكر، ارفَعْ مِن صَوتك شيئاً"، وقال لعمر: "اخْفِضْ مِن صوتك شيئاً".
من قام بعشر آيات لم يكتب من الغافلين
عن عبد الله بن عمرو بن العاص قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : "من قام بعشر آيات لم يكتب من الغافلين، ومن قام بمائة آية كتب من القانتين، ومن قام بألف آية كتب من المُقَنْطِرين".
من قام رمضان إيمانًا واحتسابًا غفر له ما تقدم من ذنبه
عن أبي هريرة أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: «من قام رمضان إيمانًا واحتسابًا غفر له ما تقدم من ذنبه».
كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم إذا قام من الليل ليصلي، افتتح صلاته بركعتين خفيفتين
عن عائشة قالت: كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم إذا قام من الليل ليصلي افتتح صلاته بركعتين خفيفتين.
أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم طَرَقَ عليًّا وفاطمة ليلة
عن علي بن أبي طالب أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم طَرَقَه وفاطمة بنت النبي عليه السلام ليلة، فقال: «ألا تصليان؟» فقلت: يا رسول الله، أنفسنا بيد الله، فإذا شاء أن يبعثنا بعثنا. فانصرف حين قلنا ذلك ولم يرجع إلي شيئًا، ثم سمعته وهو مول يضرب فخذه، وهو يقول: {وكان الإنسان أكثر شيء جدلًا} [الكهف: 54].
أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم كان يصلي إحدى عشرة ركعة
عن عائشة أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم كان يصلي إحدى عشرة ركعة، كانت تلك صلاته -تعني بالليل- فيسجد السجدة من ذلك قدر ما يقرأ أحدكم خمسين آية قبل أن يرفع رأسه، ويركع ركعتين قبل صلاة الفجر، ثم يضطجع على شقه الأيمن حتى يأتيه المؤذن للصلاة.
قام النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم بآية حتى أصبح
عن أبي ذر قال: قام النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم بآية حتى أصبح يردِّدُها، والآية: {إن تعذبهم فإنهم عبادك وإن تغفر لهم فإنك أنت العزيز الحكيم} [المائدة: 118].
يَسِّرا ولا تُعسِّرا، وبَشِّرا ولا تُنفِّرا
عن أبي بُرْدةَ قال: بعث رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم أبا موسى ومعاذ بن جبل إلى اليمن، قال: وبعث كل واحد منهما على مِخْلافٍ، قال: واليمنُ مخلافان، ثم قال: «يَسِّرا ولا تُعسِّرا، وبَشِّرا ولا تُنفِّرا»، -وفي رواية مسندة عن أبي موسى: «وتطاوعا ولا تختلفا»- فانطلق كل واحد منهما إلى عمله، وكان كلُّ واحدٍ منهما إذا سار في أرضه كان قريبًا من صاحبه أحدث به عهدًا، فسلم عليه، فسار معاذ في أرضه قريبًا من صاحبه أبي موسى، فجاء يسير على بغلته حتى انتهى إليه، وإذا هو جالسٌ وقد اجتمع إليه الناس، وإذا رجلٌ عنده قد جمعت يداه إلى عنقه، فقال له معاذ: يا عبد الله بن قيس، أَيْمَ هذا؟ قال: هذا رجلٌ كَفَرَ بعد إسلامه، قال: لا أنزل حتى يقتل، قال: إنما جيء به لذلك فانزل، قال: ما أنزل حتى يقتل، فأمر به فقتل، ثم نزل فقال: يا عبد الله، كيف تقرأ القرآن؟ قال: أَتَفَوَّقُه تفوُّقًا، قال: فكيف تقرأ أنت يا معاذ؟ قال: أنام أول الليل، فأقوم وقد قضيت جزئي من النوم، فأقرأ ما كتب الله لي، فأحتسب نومتي كما أحتسب قومتي.
كان صلى الله عليه وسلم يصلي ليلًا طويلًا قائمًا، وليلًا طويلًا قاعدًا
عَنْ عَبْدِ اللهِ بْنِ شَقِيقٍ قَالَ: سَأَلْتُ عَائِشَةَ عَنْ صَلَاةِ رَسُولِ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ عَنْ تَطَوُّعِهِ؟ فَقَالَتْ: كَانَ يُصَلِّي فِي بَيْتِي قَبْلَ الظُّهْرِ أَرْبَعًا، ثُمَّ يَخْرُجُ فَيُصَلِّي بِالنَّاسِ، ثُمَّ يَدْخُلُ فَيُصَلِّي رَكْعَتَيْنِ، وَكَانَ يُصَلِّي بِالنَّاسِ الْمَغْرِبَ، ثُمَّ يَدْخُلُ فَيُصَلِّي رَكْعَتَيْنِ، وَيُصَلِّي بِالنَّاسِ الْعِشَاءَ، وَيَدْخُلُ بَيْتِي فَيُصَلِّي رَكْعَتَيْنِ، وَكَانَ يُصَلِّي مِنَ اللَّيْلِ تِسْعَ رَكَعَاتٍ فِيهِنَّ الْوِتْرُ، وَكَانَ يُصَلِّي لَيْلًا طَوِيلًا قَائِمًا، وَلَيْلًا طَوِيلًا قَاعِدًا، وَكَانَ إِذَا قَرَأَ وَهُوَ قَائِمٌ رَكَعَ وَسَجَدَ وَهُوَ قَائِمٌ، وَإِذَا قَرَأَ قَاعِدًا رَكَعَ وَسَجَدَ وَهُوَ قَاعِدٌ، وَكَانَ إِذَا طَلَعَ الْفَجْرُ صَلَّى رَكْعَتَيْنِ.
I stayed overnight in the house of my aunt Maymūnah. When the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) stood to perform Prayer at night, I joined him and stood on his left. He, then, took me by the head and made me stand on his right
Abdullāh ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: I stayed overnight in the house of my aunt Maymūnah. When the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) stood to perform Prayer at night, I joined him and stood on his left. He then took me by the head and made me stand on his right.
Indeed, Allah, the Almighty,, has added a prayer for you, so offer it in the period between ‘Ishā' prayer and Fajr prayer; (it is) the Witr, (it is) the Witr
Abu Tamīm al-Jayshāni reported: I heard ‘Amr ibn al-‘Ās say: "A man from the Companions of the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) informed me that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: 'Indeed, Allah, the Almighty, has added a prayer for you, so offer it in the period between the ‘Ishā' prayer and the Fajr prayer; (it is) the Witr, (it is) the Witr.' Behold, this Companion was Abu Basrah al-Ghifāri." Abu Tamīm said: "Abu Dharr and I were sitting, so Abu Dharr took me by the hand and we set off to Abu Basrah. We found him at the door next to the house of ‘Amr ibn al-‘Ās. Abu Dharr said: 'O Abu Basrah, did you hear the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) say: 'Indeed, Allah, the Almighty, has added a prayer for you, so offer it in the period between the ‘Ishā' prayer and the Fajr prayer; (it is) the Witr, (it is) the Witr?' He replied: 'Yes.' Abu Dharr asked: 'You heard him?' He replied: 'Yes.' He asked again: 'You heard him?' He replied: 'Yes.'"
The one who has not prayed the Witr prayer before dawn, then there is no Witr for him
Abu Sa‘īd al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The one who has not prayed the Witr prayer before dawn, then there is no Witr for him."
كان ينام أوله ويقوم آخره، فيصلي
عن الأسود قال: سألت عائشة رضي الله عنها كيف كانت صلاة النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم بالليل؟ قالت: كان ينام أوله ويقوم آخره، فيصلي، ثم يرجع إلى فراشه، فإذا أذن المؤذن وثب، فإن كان به حاجة اغتسل، وإلا توضأ وخرج.
اللهم إني أعوذُ برضاكَ من سخطك
عن علي بن أبي طالب أن رسولَ الله صلى الله عليه وسلم كان يقول في آخر وتره: "اللهم إني أعوذُ برضاكَ من سخطك، وبمعافاتك مِن عُقوبتك، وأعوذُ بكَ منكَ، لا أُحصِي ثَنَاءَ عليكَ، أنتَ كما أثنيتَ على نفسِكَ".
سأل رجل النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم وهو على الْمِنْبَرِ: ما ترى في صلاة الليل؟ قال: مَثْنَى مَثْنَى، فإذا خَشِيَ أحدكم الصبح صلَّى واحدة، فأوترت له ما صلَّى
عن عبد الله بن عُمر رضي الله عنهما قال: «سأل رجل النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم وهو على المِنْبَرِ: ما تَرَى في صلاة الليل؟ قال: مَثْنَى مَثْنَى، فإذا خَشِيَ أحدُكم الصبحَ صلَّى واحدة فأَوْتَرَت له ما صلَّى، وأنه كان يقول: اجعلوا آخِرَ صلاتِكم باللَّيل وِتْراً».