Juz 29- Juz Gems

Rise and Pray

Assalaamu Alaykum! It’s hard to imagine that this will be the last night of taraweeh and we are soon saying farewell to the month of Ramadan. Today’s juz gem focuses on the night prayer found in Surat al-Muzzammil:

يَا أَيُّهَا الْمُزَّمِّلُ ﴿١﴾ قُمِ اللَّيْلَ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا ﴿٢﴾ نِّصْفَهُ أَوِ انقُصْ مِنْهُ قَلِيلًا ﴿٣﴾ أَوْ زِدْ عَلَيْهِ وَرَتِّلِ الْقُرْآنَ تَرْتِيلًا ﴿٤﴾ إِنَّا سَنُلْقِي عَلَيْك قَوْلًا ثَقِيلًا ﴿٥﴾ إِنَّ نَاشِئَةَ اللَّيْلِ هِيَ أَشَدُّ وَطْئًا وَأَقْوَمُ قِيلًا ﴿٦﴾ إِنَّ لَكَ فِي النَّهَارِ سَبْحًا طَوِيلًا ﴿٧﴾ وَاذْكُرِ اسْمَ رَبِّكَ وَتَبَتَّلْ إِلَيْهِ تَبْتِيلًا ﴿٨﴾

“Oh you who wraps himself [in clothing], Arise [to pray] the night, except for a little - half of it - or subtract from it a little, or add to it, and recite the Qur'an with measured recitation. Indeed, We will cast upon you a heavy word. Indeed, the hours of the night are more effective for concurrence [of heart and tongue] and more suitable for words. Indeed, for you by day is prolonged occupation. And remember the name of your Lord and devote yourself to Him with [complete] devotion,” (Surat al-Muzzammil, ayaat 1-8).

Very early on in the revelation, our beloved Messenger (sas), is ordered to pray qiyaam ul-layl, or the night prayers. These prayers were not a few cycles or an hour-long taraweeh session. They encompass the large majority of the night in order that the Prophet (sas) and his companions become spiritually fortified for this heavy task. During the day, the Prophet (sas) is ridiculed and rejected. He is accused of disrespecting his elders and causing division within the land. Even though he seeks no personal gain by delivering the message of Islam, the Qurayshi tribes are too arrogant to accept a message that equalizes all of humanity and reforms the power dynamics of the society. Allah sends the night prayers to the Messenger (sas) as a way to firmly plant his feet on the path and reassure his heart. It isn’t until an entire year passes that the last verse of Surat al-Muzzammil is revealed which alleviates the obligatory night prayers and yet, the Prophet Muhammad (sas) never abandons it. For 23 years, he (sas) would stand in the night to reconnect with His Lord.

This Ramadan, we truly saw what we are capable of. What is difficult to do throughout the year is much less of a burden during Ramadan. The benefits of praying qiyaam are many- we draw closer to our Lord, our dua has a very high chance of being accepted, we solidify our faith, and the night prayer acts as a barrier between us and the Hellfire in the afterlife. As we consider what good habits we would like to take with us after Ramadan ends, let us not underestimate the impact that qiyaam ul layl has on our souls and psyche. Just as we commit to gym memberships or an exercise regimen throughout the year, we need spiritual training to fortify our souls and connect with our Lord.

May Allah make us of those that yearn to connect with Him during the night, focused on our Creator, and free from the preoccupations and distractions of our day.