“…we only benefitted from the small units of Prayer we did late at
night” ~ Imam Abu ‘l-Qasim al-Junayd al-Baghdadi
I couldn’t find much about this quote or its origin or context,
i.e. we only benefitted in comparison to what other prayers or deeds? The quote
does make me think of the great value of some small deeds – how some small
dhikr (remembrances) said with sincerity can wipe away all of our sins. The value of istaghfar, or sincere
repentance. The reward for each letter
of the Quran recited, so that even a little is so beneficial. The impact of the
small nawafil prayers with each salah that bring us closer to Allah (SWT). The night prayer is another such deed: even
if a few small rakah or units:
The Prophet (salAllahu alaihi wasallam) said: “The Lord descends
every night to the lowest heaven when one-third of the night remains and says:
‘Who will call upon Me, that I may answer Him? Who will ask of Me, that I may
give him? Who will seek My forgiveness, that I may forgive him?’” (Sahih
Al-Bukhari and Muslim).
Abu
Umama al-Bahili (Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Messenger of Allah
(salAllahu alaihi wasallam) said, “Hold tight to night prayer, for it was the
way of the righteous before you, a way of drawing closer to your Lord, an
expiation for wrong deeds, and a shield from sin.” (Tirmidhi)
This is
the prayer that perhaps I have had the least opportunity to pray. And perhaps one that would have endless benefits. I am so tired from working during the day and
standing in the kitchen in the evening, that the night prayer feels very
difficult. In Ramadan, I wake everyone
and while they pray a few rakah of tahajjud I make breakfast (chapatti’s at 3am
anyone).
A
little part of me resents this and I wonder how the reward of looking after others
weighs up against the benefits of the night prayer. Perhaps Allah (SWT) knows that my strength is
less in prayer (my concentration is poor) and more in serving others (I have a
lot of energy) and has led me to that which is easy for me. I suppose I can at least make intention for tahajjud before I sleep, who knows, perhaps I will be blessed with it. May Allah (SWT) make this month easy for the
ladies of the house and help us get the most benefit out of it.
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