Introduction of the prayer:
This prayer is from Surah Al-Muzzammil; Verse: 8. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) is addressed in this verse. He (PBUH) has been commanded by His Lord to stand at night for Salatul Lail (Tahjjud prayer). Although the prayer comprises many components like Tasbih, Ruku’, Sujud and so on, but Allah Kareem emphasised on recitation of Qur’an with ‘Tartil'(‘to put together and arrange well the component parts of a word and speech and make it distinct’- Imam Raghib). Allah Kareem made Tahjjud prayer most ‘Mustahab'(Virtuous) among Nafl prayers, but it was an obligatory prayer for the Prophet (PBUH). Allah Kareem chose this time for special worship of Tahjjud because awakening in the last part of night contains a number of virtues and benefits.
Leading authorities on Tafsir, like Ibn Zaid and Ibn ` Abbas ؓ discussed the wisdom of time of Tahajuud. Ibn Zaid ؓ said that getting up in the night for prayer is the most effective means of making the heart, eye, ear and tongue to mutually correspond and conform. Ibn ` Abbas ؓ said that the phrase means that during this time there is the closest degree of conformity and harmony between the ear and the heart. This is because there is no noise at the time of night when most people are asleep and one will not be disturbed as one is during the daytime. At night time when the tongue recites the Qur’an, the ears will be conducive to listening to the recitation with due concentration, and the heart will be conducive to understanding and considering its meaning and message. (M’arif ul Qur’an)
Explanation and virtues of this prayer:
* وَٱذْكُرِ ٱسْمَ رَبِّكَ
And remember the name of your Lord.
Allah Kareem commands the Prophet (PBUH) to remember Him Almighty when all people are asleep. This exercise, to get up from sleep and to stand in front of the Lord, was due to the heavy burden of prophethood for which Allah Kareem has chosen him. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) always remember Allah Kareem every time. He also advised the believers to remember the Almighty every time.It is narrated by Imam Tirmidhi, that the Prophet PBUH) said;
“ لاَ يَزَالُ لِسَانُكَ رَطْبًا مِنْ ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ ”
`Abdullah bin Busr (ra) narrated that:
A man said: “O Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), indeed, the legislated acts of Islam have become too much for me, so inform me of a thing that I should stick to.” He (ﷺ) said: “Let not your tongue cease to be moist with the remembrance of Allah.”(Tirmidhi: 3375)
In an other narration the Prophet (PBUH) told about the virtues of people who remember Allah Kareem abundantly.
عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ الْخُدْرِيِّ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم سُئِلَ أَىُّ الْعِبَادِ أَفْضَلُ دَرَجَةً عِنْدَ اللَّهِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ قَالَ ” الذَّاكِرُونَ اللَّهَ كَثِيرًا وَالذَّاكِرَاتُ ” . قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَمِنَ الْغَازِي فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ قَالَ ” لَوْ ضَرَبَ بِسَيْفِهِ فِي الْكُفَّارِ وَالْمُشْرِكِينَ حَتَّى يَنْكَسِرَ وَيَخْتَضِبَ دَمًا لَكَانَ الذَّاكِرُونَ اللَّهَ كَثِيرًا أَفْضَلَ مِنْهُ دَرَجَةً ”
Abu Sa’eed Al-Khudri narrated that:
The Messenger of Allah was asked: “Which of the worshippers is superior in rank with Allah on the Day of Judgment?” He said: “Those men who remember Allah much [and women].” He said: “I said: ‘O Messenger of Allah! What about the fighter in the cause of Allah?’ He said: ‘If he were to strike with his sword among the disbelievers and the idolater, until it breaks, and he (or it) is dyed with blood, those who remember Allah much would still be superior in rank.”
* وَتَبَتَّلْ إِلَيْهِ تَبْتِيلًۭا (and devote yourself to Him with exclusive devotion)
The word tabattul, literally, means ‘to cut off oneself from entire creation to focus attention solely on the Creator to detach oneself from worldly things and devote oneself exclusively and sincerely to the service of Allah. (M’araiful Qur’an). So, Allah Kareem commanded His Prophet (PBUH) to detach himself from worldly things and devote himself exclusively and sincerely to Allah, and he (PBUH) did so. Allah Kareem commanded the Prophet (PBUH) to say;
قُلْ إِنَّ صَلَاتِى وَنُسُكِى وَمَحْيَاىَ وَمَمَاتِى لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ
Say, “Surely my prayer, my sacrifice, my life, and my death are all for Allah—Lord of all worlds.
So, following the blessed Sunnah of our Prophet (PBUH) we should also get the great opportunity of praying Tahjjud. Worshipping Allah Kareem at this bounteous times contains lot of virtues and benefits. It is best for improving focus and ultimately a sharp mind with good memory.
