Qiyam prayer or qiyam al layl is an Arabic expression that mainly refers to voluntary night prayer. Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) performed it persistently and encouraged Muslims to do this through many hadiths reported to us.
Also, the Messenger (PBUH) teaches us how to perform qiyam prayer, the best time for it, and the supplications that the Muslim can open this prayer with them. Let’s tackle this in detail.
Here we will learn the following:
- What Is Qiyam Prayer?
- What Is the Difference between Qiyam al
- Layl and Tahajjud?
- Is There a Hadith on Qiyam ul Layl?
- What Are the Benefits of Qiyam al Layl?
- How Many Rakats in Qiyam?
- How to Pray Qiyam al Layl?
- How to Pray Qiyam al Layl at Home?
- What Time Is Qiyam al Layl?
- What Is the Best Time for Qiyam ul Layl?
- Is There Duaa for Qiyam al Layl?
- Conclusion
What Is Qiyam Prayer?
Qiyaam-ul-layl is a voluntary night prayer that is done by engaging in acts of obedience that bring one closer to Allah, such as the voluntary prayer, “dhikr” (expressions of remembrance of Allah), or pondering over Allah’s verses and His creation, even if it is done for one hour of the night or more or less than that. Read also:
What Is the Difference between Qiyam al Layl and Tahajjud?
Qiyamull-layl is a wider term than tahajjud. It is to conjoin one or more of a group of worship acts at night; prayer ‘Salah’, reading Quran and remembrance of Allah ‘Thikr’.
Tahajjud is a sort of recommended / voluntary prayers; a Muslim performs it at night or especially after some sleep; to please God ‘Allah’.
In this article we tackle tahajjud in more details.
Is There a Hadith on Qiyam ul Layl?
Yes, one of the famous hadiths on Qiyam ul Layl is that one:
The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:
عَلَيْكُمْ بِقِيَامِ اللَّيْلِ فَإِنَّهُ دَأْبُ الصَّالِحِينَ قَبْلَكُمْ وَهُوَ قُرْبَةٌ لَكُمْ إِلَى رَبِّكُمْ وَمَكْفَرَةٌ لِلسَّيِّئَاتِ وَمَنْهَاةٌ عَنِ الْإِثْمِ
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.”
[Jami` at-Tirmidhi]
What Are the Benefits of Qiyam al Layl?
There are many benefits for praying qiyam al layl, mentioned in the previous hadith and other Quran verses and prophetic hadiths. Among these benefits are the following:
- Bringing you closer to your Lord.
- Following the custom of the righteous in the previous nations.
- Expiating sins.
- Preventing misdeeds.
- Saving the body from the disease.
- Facilitating the way to Jannah, as the Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) mentions in this hadith:
…and be in prayer when others are asleep, you will enter Jannah in peace.”
[at-Tirmidhi]
For more about the effect of prayers, read:
How Many Rakats in Qiyam?
Qiyam rakats could be as few as one set of two rak’ahs (units) up to ten sets of twenty rak’ahs or more; as much as a Muslim wants to offer. Then, the Mulsim ends with one single rakah as witr.
Thus, Qiyam could be in total three rakat (with witr prayer), and the ideal is eleven or thirteen. Still, Muslims can add more.
How to Pray Qiyam al Layl?
The Muslim should consider the following while praying qiyam al layl:
1. Start with Short Two Rakats
A Muslim starts with two short rak’ahs and then performs as much as Allah wills for him.
`A’ishah said: When the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) stood up at night to pray, he began his prayer with two short rak’ahs.” [Muslim]
2. End Your Prayer with Witr prayer
Messenger Muhammad (PBUH) recommends ending the night prayers with Witr (a single rak’ah).
Narrated Ibn ‘Umar, that the Prophet (PBUH) said: Make the last of your prayer at night Witr (an odd number).” [Agreed upon]
3. Don’t Pray when sleeping overcomes You
Moreover, it is Sunnah to go to sleep once sleepiness overcomes a Muslim.
A’isha, the wife of the Messenger (PBUH), reported that he said, If a man prays in the night and sleep overcomes him during it, Allah writes for him the reward of his prayer, and his sleep is sadaqa for him.” [Muwatta’ Malik]
How to Pray Qiyam al Layl at Home?
Qiyam prayer at home is the same like it is in the masjid. It could be as few as one set of two rak’ahs (units) up to ten sets of twenty rak’ahs or more; as much as a Muslim wants to offer.
Also, the Muslim can perform qiyam prayer at home whether alone or with a congregation, i.e., his wife, siblings, friends, etc.
However, there are some little differences between qiyam prayer if you perform it alone or in a congregation.
If you pray qiyam alone, you have the choice to pray it with an inaudible recitation, or an audible one. Also, you have the freedom to extend its length as you wish:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“When one of you leads the people in prayer he should be brief, for among them are the young and the old, the weak and those who have needs to attend to. But if he prays by himself he may pray as he wishes.”
[Agreed upon]
What Time Is Qiyam al Layl?
The time of Qiyam al Layl is not specific. The Muslim can perform qiyam prayer at any time after ‘Ishaa’ (obligatory night prayer) up until Fajr (dawn obligatory prayer). Yet, the best time is the practice of Prophet David (PBUH) mentioned in the following question.
Read more about other prayers in Islam:
What Is the Best Time for Qiyam ul Layl?
The best time for qiyam al layl is when the half of the night passes as Prophet David (PBUH) did:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said,
“The Salat which is dearest to Allah is that of (Prophet) Dawud; … He used to sleep half the night, get up to perform Salat for one-third of it, then sleep through the remaining one-sixth of it.”
[agreed upon]
Also, Ramadan is one of the best times to make prayers and other worships. Read more about Ramadan and fasting:
- Hadiths and Quran verses about Ramadan
- What is Ramadan in Islam
- Fasting in Islam
- Benefits of Ramadan Fasting
- Breaking fast in Ramadan
Is There Duaa for Qiyam al Layl?
There are many duaas (supplications) that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) used to choose from once he opened his voluntary night prayer. Among them are the following duaas:
- O Allah, praise is to You. You are the Light of the heavens and the earth and all that they contain. Praise is to You, You are the Sustainer of the heavens and the earth and all they contain…Forgive me what I have sent before me and what I have left behind me, what I have concealed and what I have declared…]
- O Allah, Lord of Jibraīl, Mīkaīl and Israfīl (great angels), Creator of the heavens and the Earth, Knower of the seen and the unseen. You are the arbitrator between Your servants in that which they have disputed. Guide me to the truth by Your leave, in that which they have differed, for verily You guide whom You will to a straight path.”
Also, the Muslim is recommended to make duaa for all what he faces in this life, as duaa is an act of worship that Allah Almighty loves:
Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said:
“The closest that the Lord comes to the slave is in the last portion of the night. So, if you are able to be among those who remember Allah in this hour, then be among them.”
[Sahih Muslim]
Conclusion – Don’t Miss Qiyam Prayer Honor
To conclude, I know that you, dear reader, have a lot of hardships in your life that you can’t handle on your own as a weak human. Fortunately, Islam grants you a direct connection with your Lord through prayer so that you can come close and confess your sins to the only True One God, the Most Merciful.
Take it seriously and gradually. Start by only ten verses; your soul needs this special connection.
If you want to know more about why you should be a Muslim, please read this article, and subscribe to our newsletter so that you are updated with the new articles.
