Nighttime has a special significance in Islam. The Quran and hadiths of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) have many verses and narrations about the importance and meaning of night.
Night as a Time for Reflection
In the Quran, Allah calls upon people to reflect upon His creations and signs, including the night. For example:
“And it is He who spread the earth and placed therein firmly set mountains and rivers; and from all of the fruits He made therein two mates; He causes the night to cover the day. Indeed in that are signs for a people who give thought.” (Quran, 13:3)
Here Allah mentions how He created the alternating cycle of night and day, a phenomenon that people take for granted but is actually a tremendous sign of His creative power. So the “people who give thought” are encouraged to reflect on the deeper meaning behind the daily rising and setting of the sun.
Night for Rest
The night is a time for rest and renewing one’s energy. In the Quran, Allah says:
“And it is He who made the night for you as clothing and sleep [a means for] rest and made the day a resurrection.” (Quran, 25:47)
So the night is a blessing from Allah that allows people and animals to rest their bodies and minds after the hard work and toil of the day. Sleep helps rejuvenate both physically and mentally for the challenges ahead.
The Night of Power
In the Quran, Allah calls the night of the 27th day of Ramadan as the ‘Night of Power’ or ‘Night of Decree’:
“Indeed, We sent the Qur’an down during the Night of Decree.” (Quran, 97:1)
“Indeed, We sent it down on the Night of Decree.” (Quran, 97:3)
This was the night when the first verses of the Quran were revealed to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Islamic scholars state that worshipping on this night has immense spiritual reward and blessing. The ‘Night of Power’ falls in the last ten nights of Ramadan, but its exact date is unknown.
Night as Covering
Allah refers to the night as a covering in the Quran:
“He is the Cleaver of daybreak and He has made the night for rest and the sun and moon for calculation. Such is the measuring of the Exalted in Might, the Knowing.” (Quran, 6:96)
Here, the Arabic word used for night is ‘libaas’ which means garment or covering. So night is seen as a veil of darkness enveloping the world. Depending on context, Islamic scholars interpret this covering as either concealing worldly pleasures during the spiritual nights of Ramadan, or symbolizing the unknown realm of death that will overcome each soul.
The Stillness of Night
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) made special supplications at night known as tahajjud prayers. He is reported to have said:
“Our Lord descends every night to the lowest heavens 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?'” (Bukhari)
So the stillness and silence of late night is seen as an ideal time for introspection and for establishing a deep spiritual connection with Allah.
Night in the Life of the Prophet (PBUH)
According to hadiths, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) devoted a significant portion of night for worship and self-reflection. Key facts include:
- He would wake up in the middle of the night to pray tahajjud.
- Each tahajjud prayer lasted long, almost close to the fajr prayers.
- He recited long portions of the Quran in these pre-dawn prayers.
- On average, he slept for a few hours only after the isha prayers.
- Rainy nights were seen as good omens and he prayed longer on such nights.
- His wife Aisha reported that he would stand so long in prayer that his feet would get swollen.
So night symbolized a time for long hours of intimate prayer and communicating with Allah for the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
The Last Third of the Night
There are several hadiths that mention the special blessings of worship in the last third of the night:
“Our Lord, the Blessed, the Superior, comes down to the nearest heaven to us in the last third of the night, saying: ‘Is there anyone to invoke Me that I may respond to invocation? Is there anyone to ask Me so that I may grant him his request? Is there anyone asking My forgiveness so that I may forgive him?'”
(Bukhari)
So the pre-dawn hours before fajr are considered sacred for making long supplications and asking for forgiveness from Allah. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his companions were reported to engage in long nightly worship during these hours.
Table: Night Prayers of the Prophet (PBUH)
| Prayer | Time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Maghrib | After sunset | Three rakats fardh (obligatory) prayer |
| Isha | Late evening | Four rakats fardh prayer, followed by two rakats sunnah prayer |
| Tahajjud | Middle of the night | Minimum of two rakats, but often longer and in multiples of two |
| Witr | Last third of the night | One, three, five, seven, or nine rakats prayed in pairs with salam after each pair |
This table summarizes the major prayers the Prophet (PBUH) offered at night. Tahajjud was offered before going to sleep. Witr was prayed in the last third of the night during qiyam al-layl.
Night Mentioned in the Quran
There are over 50 verses in the Quran that mention night and its various aspects. Some key ones are:
‘We made the night and day two signs’
“And We made the night and day two signs, and We erased the sign of the night and made the sign of the day visible that you may seek bounty from your Lord and may know the number of years and the account [of time]. And everything We have set out in detail.” (Quran, 17:12)
‘Your Lord knows that you stand [in prayer] almost two thirds of the night’
“Indeed, your Lord knows that you stand [in prayer] almost two thirds of the night and half of it and one third of it, and [so do] a group of those with you. And Allah determines [the extent of] the night and the day. He has known that you [Muslims] are not able to do it and has turned to you in forgiveness, so recite what is easy [for you] of the Qur’an. He has known that there will be among you those who are ill and others traveling throughout the land seeking [something] of the bounty of Allah and others fighting for the cause of Allah. So recite what is easy from it and establish prayer and give zakah and loan Allah a goodly loan. And whatever good you put forward for yourselves – you will find it with Allah. It is better and greater in reward. And seek forgiveness of Allah. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.” (Quran, 73:20)
‘And [mention] the night when it departs’
“By the dawn; And [by] ten nights.” (Quran, 89:1-2)
This verse refers to the first ten nights of Dhul Hijjah that Allah swears are sacred. These include the Day of Arafah (9th Dhul Hijjah) and the Day of Sacrifice (10th Dhul Hijjah).
‘And the night when it covers [the sun]’
“By the night when it covers, And [by] the day when it appears.” (Quran, 92:1-2)
Here Allah swears by the darkness of night enveloping the sun. So night is seen both as a veil covering the earth as well as a means to appreciate the blessing of sunlight.
Night Mentioned in Hadiths
There are numerous hadiths of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) that mention the night and give guidance about night prayers and worship. Some key ones are:
“Take advantage of the first part of night for it is blessed.”
(Ibn Majah)
This hadith encourages worship right after maghrib prayers in the first part of the night, considered blessed times.
“Our Lord descends to the lowest heaven during the last third of the night.”
(Tirmidhi)
This hadith talks about Allah descending in the last third of night to ask if anyone wants to repent, ask for forgiveness, etc. So this part of night is ideal for supplications.
“There is an hour during the night when supplications are accepted by Allah.”
(Tirmidhi)
This reinforces that Allah answers prayers at night, so believers should take advantage of these times.
“Take up good deeds only as much as you are able, for the best deeds are those done consistently even if they are few.”
(Ibn Majah)
This hadith reminds that night worship should be within one’s capacity and done consistently.
Conclusion
In summary, the night holds significance for spiritual reflection and renewal in Islam. Allah and His Prophet (PBUH) encourage believers to make use of the night through prayers, recitation of the Quran, and supplications for forgiveness.
While obligatory night prayers like Isha and tarawih grant reward, voluntary late night worships like tahajjud and qiyam al layl are considered even more blessed. The Prophet (PBUH) devoted large parts of his nights in worship.
Verses of the Quran oaths such as “by the night as it covers” and “by the night when it departs” point to the night’s profound meanings. Hadiths mention the virtues of praying at “blessed times” of night. So the night provides a setting for inner reform and communicating intimately with the Divine.