Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) - 51: Standing In Prayers At Night
Islamic Perspectives - Muslim Journals
Arab News & Information - Shaikh Muhammad Al-Ghazali
THE supplications the Prophet (peace be upon him)
used to say when he went to bed, a few of which we
quoted last week, clearly show how he always glorified
God and spoke of His greatness. Indeed, as he prepared
to go to sleep, he said words that other people cannot
manage even when they are fully alert.
He described Godhead in absolute perfection. Here are
two more of his supplications he often said before
going to sleep: "My Lord, I appeal to You by Your
noble face and perfect words to give me protection
against the evil of everything under Your control. My
Lord, You are the one who frees Your servants from
debt and sin. My Lord, Your hosts are never defeated,
Your promise is never unfulfilled. No effort is of any
use against Your will. All glory and praise are due to
You. In Your name, my Lord, I place myself. My Lord,
forgive me my sins, subdue my devil, release my
encumbrance and admit me to the High Society."
We see how the Prophet follows his flowing
glorification of God with an appeal that is full of
humility, seeking shelter with God against poverty,
debt, sin and the Satan's whispers and temptation. For
as long as he lives on earth, he does not want to be
encumbered by the heavy burdens of this present life.
He does not want to be humiliated by anyone. Hence, he
dislikes poverty and sin. He aspires to what would
ensure a high position in the life to come.
Having thus appealed to his Lord, he goes to sleep. We
must not imagine that his slumber will take long
hours. By no means. It is only a matter of an hour or
so, and then he gets up to do as he has been bid,
resuming his glorifications and praises of God, in the
depth of the night, as well as during the day. It is
God's specific order to him: "Remember your Lord's
name morning and evening. At night prostrate yourself
before Him, and extol His limitless glory throughout
the long night." (76: 25-26). Night worship was a duty
incumbent on him alone. Let everyone go to sleep. He
alone was given the order: "Stand in prayer at night,
all but a small part of it, half of it, or a little
less, or add to it. Recite the Qur'an calmly and
distinctly." (73: 2-4)
It is authentically reported that he used to stand up
for long hours at night praying and reciting the
Qur'an. When he was in his late fifties, he woke up
one night for his worship. It happened that Abdullah
ibn Abbas, his young cousin who was no more than 11 or
12 years of age, was staying with him. He decided to
join the Prophet in his night worship. The Prophet
recited the Qur'an at ease, going on and on, while the
young cousin was struggling to stay awake and hoping
that the Prophet would soon finish. Yet the spirit of
the devoted worshipper overcame the weakness of old
age, with Muhammad reciting one long surah after
another. Ibn Abbas said later: "I thought of leaving
off." Indeed, his feet were swollen because of the
long hours he stood up in devoted worship. Yet his
heart, full of devotion, taxed his weakening body as
he approached 60. Hence, he did not feel the pain as
much as he felt the happiness of devoted worship.
He might wake up at night and look up into the sky. He
would feel that the calmness of the night will usher
some important event. People will wake up: Some of
them will laugh while others weep; some will live and
others will die; some will follow guidance while
others will go astray; some will have plenty while
others will have little. Fate prepares for them a
great diversity of outcomes. How will they react? He
would then say: "All glory be to God! What diversity
of temptations has He placed in the world today, and
how plentiful is the bounty He has granted. Wake the
women up (meaning his wives). Many people who are well
dressed in this life will find themselves naked on the
Day of Judgment."
Thus he prepared for the coming day, with whatever it
might bring of good or evil. He prepared for it with
an act of worship in which his household shared with
him. Hence, he wanted his wives to wake up and offer
some night worship.
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