The Merits Of Tahajjud Part II

AHADITH ON TAHAJJUD

Abdullah bin Salaam RA relates:

"When Nabi SAW entered Madinah (during the Hijrah), people flocked to him, I also went to scrutinise him. When I saw his face, I observed that it was not the face of an imposter. The very first words I heard him say was, "O Mankind, disseminate Salaam, feed others, strengthen kinship, and establish Salah while the rest of mankind is asleep." (Mishkaat)

In the Qur'an, Allah Ta'ala says:

"And the servants of The Most Gracious (Allah) are those... who spend the night in adoration of their Lord, prostrating and standing (in Qiyaam)." (Surah 25: Ayat 64)

In another Hadith, the Prophet Muhammad SAW is reported to have advised:

"Be vigilant in standing up (in prayer) at night for it was the practise of the pious before you. It is a means of gaining proximity to Allah Ta'ala, an expiation for transgressions, and a barrier from sins." (Riwayat Tirmidhi)

In this hadith, Nabi SAW emphasised the importance of Tahajjud, its virtues and spiritual benefits. The term - "the pious before you" - refers to the Ambiyaa AS before Rasulullah SAW and their faithful followers. It is obvious that - "gaining proximity to Allah Ta'ala" - is the objective of man's existence. This is only possible by total servitude to Allah Ta'ala.

In relation to this, Allah Ta'ala, addressing Nabi SAW says in the Qur'an:

"Prostrate and gain closeness to Allah Ta'ala. (Surah 96: Ayat 19)

In a Hadith Qudsi (divine related hadith), Rasulullah SAW informs that Allah Ta'ala says:

"If my servant comes closer to me by one span, I go towards him a cubit’s length; if he comes to me a cubit’s length, I go towards him an arm’s length; and if he walks towards me, I run unto him." 

(Bukhari & Muslim) 

The above Hadith Qudsi implies that if man increases his devotion to Allah, then Allah will increase His Mercy and Kindness proportionately far greater. The terms - "getting closer" and "running" - signify immediate increase in Allah's Blessings and Mercy.

Another Hadith narrates that Rasulullah SAW said:

"Salah at night guards one from sin, cools the wrath of Allah and is protection from the heat of the Day of Judgement." 

In another Hadith, Nabi SAW said:

"There are three groups of people with whom Allah Ta'ala smiles. They are - a person who stands in Salah at night; a community when they stand in the saf (rows for Salah); and a nation when they prepare the arrays on the battlefield." (Sharhus Sunnah) 

In the above narration, the term - "Allah Ta'ala smiles" - denotes the pleasure of Allah Ta'ala. Certainly Allah's pleasure is the greatest reward and bliss one can ever attain in this world and the Hereafter.

In the Qur'an, Allah Ta'ala says:

"And the pleasure of Allah is the greatest bliss." (Surah 9: Ayat 72)

It is related in one Hadith, that Rasulullah SAW said:

"Allah Ta'ala will call the people of Jannah (Paradise); they will reply, "Labbaik (we are in your service)". Allah Ta'ala will ask them, "Are you pleased?"; they will reply, "Why should we not be pleased when You have granted us the best of blessings". Allah Ta'ala will then ask them, "Should I grant you a blessing that would surpass all others?" The people of Jannah will entreat, "What can be a greater blessing than those we have already received?". At that time Allah Ta'ala will reply, "I confer My everlasting pleasure upon you, and I will never be displeased with you after this." (Fawaidh Uthmani)

In another Hadith, Nabi SAW is reported to have said:

"When a person, on a cold night, leaves his wife and his bed to perform wudhu (ablution) and Salah (Tahajjud); on seeing this Allah Ta'ala inquires from the Angels, "What has inspired My servant to do this?" They reply, "Our Lord, it is because of Your special Benevolence and the exceptional hope they have (in Your Mercy). To this Allah Ta'ala will say, "I call you to witness that whatever hopes they have in Me, I have fulfilled them; and I have granted them safety from all (their) fears."[b]

TO ENCOURAGE ONE'S HOUSEHOLD TO PERFORM TAHAJJUD

It is narrated in one hadith that Rasulullah SAW said:

"(The Prophet) Dawud (AS) had set aside a time at night in which he would awaken his household. He would say, 'O people of my household, awaken and perform Salaah; for certainly this is the time in which Allah Ta'ala accepts Du'as (supplications) except the Duas of a sorcerer and a bandit." (Ahmad & Mishkaat)

Abu Hurairah RA relates that Nabi Muhammad SAW said:

"Allah Ta'ala has mercy on a person who stands up at night to perform Tahajjud and also awaken his wife. If she does not wake up, he sprinkles water on her face. And Allah Ta'ala has mercy on a woman who stands up for Tahajjud and also awakens her husband. If he does not wake up, she sprinkles water on his face." (Abu Dawud and Mishkaat)

It should be noted here that "sprinkling water" could be taken in its literal sense. Also, Muslim scholars have explained that it may also refer to any method of kindness that one may adopt when awakening another (i.e. between husband, wife and family). (Mirqaat)

The hadith also indicates that good conduct is to be adopted between spouses and other associates and secondly one should encourage others to do good.

Allah Ta'ala says:

"And assist each other in piety and self abstinence."

Abu Sa'eed RA and Abu Hurairah RA relate that Nabi Muhammad SAW said:

"When a man awakens his family and they perform Tahajjud, they will be considered among the 'Zakireen' and the 'Zakiraat'." (Abu Dawud & Ibn Majah)

Family here refers to one's spouse, children and close family members. Zakireen and Zakiraat are those men and women who remember Allah Ta'ala in all conditions.

THE MERITS OF TAHAJJUD Part I

The Night Prayer!

The verb tahajjada means "to stay awake at night, keep a night vigil, spend the night in prayer". Imam ash-Shafi'i stated that 'Prayer at night, whether before sleeping or after and the prayer of witr, is called tahajjud'. Ibn Faris said that a mutahajjid (one who performs tahajjud) was 'one who performs prayer at night'.

Salat at-tahajjud is classified as a prayer which is 'Sunnahtun raatibun Mu'akaadah' (a sunnah prayer which is organised or regulated - regarding time-and the performance of which is emphasised).

The Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) used to perform such prayers habitually when resident in a community (hadar) and strongly encouraged his followers to perform them also. Salat at-Tahajjud is divided into:

(a) two rak'as iftitaah ("opening" or "beginning"- that is before performing the salat at tahajjud proper),

(b) eight or ten rak'ahs of salat at-tahajjud, which are finally followed by salatul witr. 

Rasulullah SAW said:

"At night there is such a moment in which a Muslim supplicates Allah Ta'ala for the good of this world or the Hereafter, Allah Ta'ala will grant him his request, and this moment appears every night." (Muslim)

The above Hadith bears the good fortune of acceptance of ones du'as at night. However, mention is not made of the specific moment of acceptance. Some Ulama are of the opinion that this period is not known like that of Lailatul Qadr and the special moment of acceptance on Jumu'a (Friday), while others opine that it is at midnight. (Mazahir)

In another Hadith, Rasulullah SAW said:

"The closest Allah Ta'ala gets to his servant is in the last portion of the night. If you possess the ability to be from among those who remember Allah, then become one of them." (Tirmidhi)

As for "the closeness of Allah" above, this refers to Allah's pleasure and mercy showered upon his servants who sacrifice their sleep and strive in His worship. (Mazahir)

Rasulullah SAW said:

"When one third of the night remains our Rabb, Most High, Most Exalted, descends to the first sky and announces, "Who is there to beseech Me that I may answer his prayer and who is there to seek forgiveness that I may forgive him. Then He spreads out His hands (of kindness and mercy) and proclaims, "Who will grant a loan to the One who is neither a destitute or an oppressor." (Muslim)

Explaining the above narration, Allah Ta'ala is free from bodily form and shape. He is Omnipresent and He is not confined to space. The grand scholars - Hafiz Ibn Hajar RA and Imam Malik RA have stated that "Allah Ta'ala descending to the first sky" signifies His special Mercy through which He accepts du'as and forgives sins. (Lam'aat)

As for the loan mentioned in the Hadith, this refers to bodily and financial devotions offered to Allah Ta'ala with the hope of attaining reward. (Mazahir)

THE CORRECT TIME FOR TAHAJJUD

The time of Tahajjud extends from the time of Isha' Solat until Subuh Sadiq (true dawn). Ahadith related from Aishah RA state that Nabi Muhammad SAW sometimes performed Tahajjud in the early portion of the night and on occasions when half the night had passed. However, towards the latter part of his life he frequently performed it in the last portion of the night. As the night progresses, Allah Ta'ala's Mercy and Blessings increase. Hence, the last portion of the night is most preferred.

DU'A TO ASSIST ONE IN AWAKENING FOR TAHAJJUD

A person remarked to Abdullah ibn Abbas RA: "

I always intend awakening in the last portion of the night to perform Solat but sleep overpowers me."

Abdullah ibn Abbas RA replied:

"Before sleeping recite from "QUL LAW KAANAL BAHRU MIDADAL..." to the end of Surah Al-Kahf. Allah Ta'ala will waken you at whatever time you intend rising."

NUMBER OF RAKAATS IN TAHAJJUD

The number of rakaats performed by Nabi Muhammad SAW varied according to the prevailing circumstances. Although on certain occasions sufficient time was available, Nabi SAW would perform less rakaats when reciting lengthy Qiraat (i.e. when longer surahs were recited, less rakaats were performed).

Deducing from the various narrations - four to twelve rakaats in units of two or four have been recommended. However if two rakaats are performed in the prescribed time it will of course still be regarded as Tahajjud.

OCCASIONS WHEN ONE IS UNABLE TO AWAKEN FOR TAHAJJUD

Aishah RA relates:

"If for some reason Rasulullah (SAW) was unable to perform Tahajjud, he would perform twelve rakaats during the day (at the time of Dhuha - before midday)."

To continue the discussion of the above hadith, Saiyidina Umar RA relates that Rasulullah SAW said:

"Whoever was unable to complete his devotions at night should complete it in the morning before noon. It will be regarded as though he had completed it at night." (Muslim) 

Nevertheless, one should not overlook it because of the time passing by, otherwise the nafs will become accustomed to omitting it.

Don't be the incredible Hulk!!! Cure your Anger

"The strong man is not the one who is the wrestler [or body-builder] but the strong man is the one who holds himself back at the time of anger."

Several Cures for Anger from the Sunnah!!

1. To say "Audhu billahi minashaytan nirajim." 

The first cure for anger was to say ta'wwudh [ie "audhu billahi minashaytan nirajeem". ] 

This cure was given by the Prophet (saw) when a man showed anger in a situation where he was in front of the Prophet (saw). The Prophet (saw) said "I know something that if he says it, his anger will go away and this is "audhu billahi minashaytan nirajeem." What does this have to do with curing anger? Since anger comes from shaytan, you should seek refuge with Allah from the accursed shaytan.

[Bukhari, Muslim]

2. If he is standing, then he should sit. If the anger fails to subside, then he should lie down. 

[Abu Dawood]

The Scholars say that the reason that the Prophet (saw) gave this cure is because that when a person is angry and he is standing he is more capable of taking revenge whereas if he sits down, he will be less able and if the anger still does not subside, then he should lay down which will prevent him from acting out in a manner that he will regret later one.

3. A person should remain silent. [Imam Ahmad]

Ibn Rajab (RA) declared this to be a very great cure that Rasulollah (saw) has mentioned since it is in the state of anger that a person states a lot of things that he or she may regret later on. Sometimes, regretting one's actions will not help since once words are spoken, the damage will take effect. For example, a person in anger may question Allah (swt) or raise an objection (may Allah (swt) forbid this). In anger, a husband may divorce his wife. In anger, people say things that destroy relationships and may take years to rebuild. Breaking one's heart is very easy while joining the hearts is very difficult. Damaging a relationship can be done with one word while building relationships may, in some cases, take years. That is why it is best to refrain from speaking when in anger and to wait until the anger subsides and speak in a calm manner so that a person does not regret what he is saying.

4. Make wudhu. [Abu Dawood] and  Make ghusl [Abu Nuaim]

 Both of these things have to do with using water because some narrations indicate that anger is from shaytan and shaytan has been created from the fire and the way to extinguish this fire is to use water whether it is in the manner of making wudhu or taking a bath. Someone's anger may go away by just making wudhu and someone else might have to take a bath in order for his anger to subside. A person can see also through experience that when he is angry, his body is very hot so that the way to cool him down is to put water over his body either through wudhu or through a bath.

We must remember one thing that what has been mentioned here  is the type of anger that is disliked in Islam since there are two types of anger. 

1)  The anger which is disliked is the one where a person takes revenge from someone because of himself or herself. The Prophet (saw) never did this and provided the cures for this type of anger which are  mentioned above.

2) The type of anger which is liked is the type of anger when a person sees a commandment of Allah (swt) and His Rasul (saw) being broken. This is not only a sign of iman [faith] and liked but is also at times necessary. The Prophet (saw) became angry like this many times to the degree that his complexion would change. This is the type of anger that Imam Shafi'i (ra) was referring to when he said that "whoever does not get angry, he is a donkey."

In our Race to Jannah Let us learn to control our anger because Allah Most High says that He has prepared His Paradise for those who are able to swallow their anger and forgive the ones who did them wrong.