The next characteristic of the true servants of the Most Merciful is mentioned in chapter 25 Al Furqan, verse 64:
“And those who spend [part of] the night to their Lord prostrating and standing [in prayer].”
They prove their sincerity towards Allah, the Exalted, by sacrificing some of their sleep and rest in order to worship Him when no other eyes are watching them. The previous characteristics mentioned those traits which are public therefore one can accuse these servants of showing off. But this characteristic proves their sincerity. This verse clearly indicates that the true servants of the Most Merciful are those who have established their obligatory prayers. One only offers voluntary prayers regularly after they have established the obligatory prayers. There is no success without this. In fact, the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, has promised Paradise to the one who correctly establishes their prayers in a Hadith found in Sunan Ibn Majah, number 1401. Offering the prayer is a means to having an intimate conversation with Allah, the Exalted. It is a sign of one’s servanthood to Allah, the Exalted.
The night prayer has countless virtues. For example, a Hadith found in Sunan An Nasai, number 1614, advises that it is the best voluntary prayer. The night is when Allah, the Exalted, descends to the Heavens of this world according to His infinite dignity and invites people towards His forgiveness and mercy. This is confirmed in a Hadith found in Sahih Bukhari, number 6321. No one will have a rank higher on Judgment Day or in Paradise than the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, and this rank has been directly connected to the night prayer. Chapter 17 Al Isra, verse 79:
“And from [part of] the night, pray with it [i.e., recitation of the Quran] as additional [worship] for you; it is expected that your Lord will resurrect you to a praised station.”
This shows that those who establish the night voluntary prayer will be blessed with the highest ranks in both worlds. The Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, has advised that one is closest to Allah, the Exalted, in the last part of the night in a Hadith found in Jami At Tirmidhi, number 3579. Therefore, one can derive countless blessings if they are awake and remembering Allah, the Exalted, at this time.
All muslims desire their supplications to be answered and their needs to be fulfilled. Therefore, they should strive to offer the voluntary night prayer as the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, has advised in a Hadith found in Sahih Muslim, number 1770, that there is a special hour in every night when good supplications are always answered.
Establishing the night prayer is an excellent way to prevent one from committing sins, it encourages them to avoid pointless social gatherings and it protects a person from many physical illnesses. This has been advised in a Hadith found in Jami At Tirmidhi, number 3549.
One should prepare for the night prayer by not over eating or drinking especially, before bed as it induces laziness. One should not unnecessarily tire themselves out during the day. A short nap during the day can help with this. Finally, one should avoid sins and strive to obey Allah, the Exalted, by fulfilling His commands, refraining from His prohibitions and by facing destiny with patience as the obedient find it easier to offer the voluntary night prayer.
Worship during the night is blessed as each person is given what they desire. Those who desire a difficulty to be removed are swiftly answered. Those who wish to show their gratitude to Allah, the Exalted, achieve the status of a truly grateful servant. Those who desire Paradise have the doors of mercy and blessings opened for them. Those who desire to be saved from Hell are granted protection. And those who desire nothing except their Lord are blessed with His intimacy and closeness.
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