Introduction
Just look around you and ponder on how people are leaving this temporary world within the blink of an eye. Ponder on the trails people go through. Ponder on the tribulations happening across the globe. I wake up every morning with a heart full of gratitude, grateful for being alive to see another blessed day. A lot of people had big plans but couldn’t live to achieve their plans. people we love, know and interacted with have left this Dunya and a lot are still leaving. And a time will come when you and I will leave this temporary world too. If you are reading this, Please take a moment to say Alhamdulillah for truly it is not by your doing, this is another chance to be a better person.
Now, when you carefully ponder upon these enveloping your heart with gratitude. You realise the latest phones, cars, outfits, and social media trends you are chasing is not the deal. Once you die all of that comes to an end for you, and the world continues moving without you. You would also realise that the best thing and the best place to seek comfort and solace in this turbulent world is solely by turning to Allah. It is by strengthening your relationship with Allah. And I found that the best moment to connect better with Allah is in the silence of the night.
Silence of the Night
The night in and of itself is beautiful and very precious. It is a time to retreat, mainly to worship. A time away from your busy life routine. The night is a time where everything around us tends to be calm and still. It is during the night that everything is quiet, you hear and commit better.
We all go through different stages in life with noise in our head feeling busy, overwhelmed, overthinking and bearing a lot of burden. Which puts us in a dire need of a moment of peace everyday of our life. And the night is that time to seek that peace for yourself. By just sitting down with yourself, listening to your soul, and evaluating your life problems. When you are done you then lift those problems and complains to your lord who is wanting to receive them. Tell Allah! Cry to him about your problems. And the last part of the night is our gift from Allah.
This verse in the Quran is about the night which had been created by Allah for humankind to find peace and comfort after a day full of work and activity:
“He has made the night for rest…”
[Surah Al-An’am Verse 96]
The Night Prayer (Tahajjud)
Many people talk about Allah but very few talk to Allah. So endeavour to bring Tahajjud and Du’a into your life and talk to Him.
“The Dua made at tahajjud is like an arrow that does not miss its target.”
— Imaam Ash Shafi (ra)
Get up to pray in the dark when everyone else is asleep and see how your path is lit and your life begins to shine. If there is something you want to ask Allah, start praying tahajjud. Allah wants us to call on him, seek his forgiveness and his assistance. He is the most closest to us at that depth of the night . It is a part of the night where Allah descends his mercy but most of us are either lost chatting, scrolling through social media, or deeply enjoying our sleep, missing on this opportunity.
Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “Our Lord, the Blessed, the Superior, comes every night down on the nearest Heaven to us when the last third of the night remains, saying: “Is there anyone to invoke Me, so that I may respond to invocation? Is there anyone to ask Me, so that I may grant him his request? Is there anyone seeking My forgiveness, so that I may forgive him?”
-Sahih al-Bukhari 1145
I am not saying it is wrong to sleep, besides Allah created the night for us to rest. but read carefully what Allah says about those who leave their bed for his sake:
“They abandon their beds, invoking their Lord with hope and fear, and donate from what We have provided for them. No soul can imagine what delights are kept in store for them as a reward for what they used to do.”
[Surah As-Sajdah Verse 16]
Why Pray at Night
Apart from you getting your problem solved, it has an immense reward that Allah alone knows the magnitude. So, through the journey of your life, strive to pray in the depth of the night. Allah is there for you, you don’t need to go and start telling anyone and everyone about your problems. Infact, they will later use it against you, but your problems and secrets are safe with Allah and yet you find solutions along with lots of tranquility and contentment of the heart.
Praying at night is you practicing the Sunnah of the Rasulullah Sallallahu alayhi was sallam which he never use to miss. But then it also helps you fight your desires, softens your heart and humbles you in front of Allah. By performing it, it will bring light to your face and soul, it is a way of getting your Dua’s accepted making you closer to Allah. A path to getting your sins forgiven. The benefit are just so numerous but you get to discover it’s unique benefit/impact in your own life when you choose to embrace it.
I Always miss the Night Prayer
Do not freak out about it, try your best. Plan out your night prayers in the best way that works for you. We all have different environment and circumstances. So sleep early, set your alarm and try waking up. You can also try praying some Raka’ahs before going to bed just incase you missed and couldn’t wake up. You can also consider waking up 20 to 30 minutes before Fajr prayer to pray your Tahajjud. These are not the best solutions but it is a gradual start. once you begin and get stronger day by day you make it a habit and become even better.
Conclusion
This Dunya is not a place of rest, it is constantly changing . From hope to sadness to delight to despair! It is not a place of settlement. Do not let things tear you apart. Raise your hands in dua in tahajjud and be consistent. The day that will follow will be full of peace. Be patient and find that link with Allah in the silence of the night.
Do share your experience with Tahajjud in the comment box below, let’s motivate each other. We love reading your comments. May Allah ease all of our task, and grant us contentment of the Heart. May He make us people of Tahajjud. Ameen
