WHAT'S YOUR ANSWER?

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بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Allāh (SWT) asks a profound question in the Qur’ān:

أَمَّنۡ هُوَ قَٰنِتٌ ءَانَآءَ ٱلَّيۡلِ سَاجِدࣰا وَقَآئِمࣰا يَحۡذَرُ ٱلۡأٓخِرَةَ وَيَرۡجُواْ رَحْمَةَ رَبِّهِۦۗ

“Is one who is devoutly obedient during the hours of the night, prostrating and standing in prayer, fearing the Hereafter and hoping for the mercy of his Lord, like one who does not?”

[Qur’ān 39:9]

The answer is clear: No!

They are certainly not equal!

Allāh knows how difficult it can be. He knows the struggle you face when leaving the comfort of your bed. He sees you battling physical exhaustion and sleepy eyes, striving to rise in the stillness of the night solely to worship Him.

This is why Allāh praises those who stand in prayer during the night. Their devotion, sincerity and consciousness of the Hereafter distinguish them from those who remain heedless.

My dear brothers and sisters,

When you make Tahajjud a consistent part of your life, you demonstrate a remarkable commitment to the worship of Allāh. You are striving against your own desires and choosing the pleasure of your Lord over the comfort of your bed.

Furthermore, the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) gave a powerful piece of advice that should serve as a reminder to all of us. He said to his companion, ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Amr ibn al-‘Āṣ (Raḍiyallāhu ‘Anhumā):

“O ‘Abdullāh! Do not be like so-and-so. He used to offer prayers at night, but he stopped offering them.”

[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī and Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim]

The Prophet (ﷺ) was warning against abandoning a good act of worship after becoming accustomed to it. This teaches us the importance of consistency in our religious obligations and voluntary acts of devotion.

A true believer should strive to remain steadfast in worship rather than approach it with inconsistency. It is better to maintain a modest but regular portion of night prayer than to begin with great enthusiasm and abandon it shortly afterwards.

You see,

When you make Tahajjud a habit, you are cultivating a deeper relationship with Allāh. You are training your soul to prioritise His remembrance and strengthening your commitment to worship, even when nobody else is watching.

Now, ask yourself:

When night falls, will you surrender to the comfort of your bed, or will you make an effort to rise and stand before your Lord?

Will you allow temporary tiredness to overcome your desire for spiritual growth, or will you continue striving to become a steadfast servant of Allāh?

Remember,

Consistency is one of the most beloved qualities in worship. The Prophet (ﷺ) said:

“The most beloved deeds to Allāh are those that are done consistently, even if they are few.”

[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī and Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim]

Therefore, if you have not already set an alarm to remind you to wake up for Tahajjud, consider doing so. Make a sincere intention, establish a realistic routine and strive to maintain it throughout your life.

Do not burden yourself beyond your capacity, but never underestimate the value of a few sincere moments spent standing before Allāh in the silence of the night.

May Allāh (SWT) make us among those who stand before Him in the depths of the night, grant us sincerity and steadfastness in worship, and allow us to remain consistent until our final breath.

Āmīn.