Dear Brothers and Sisters!
The reason for our creation is servitude to Allah (swt). Among the many forms of servitude, night prayer holds a special place. Allah (swt) has praised night worship in the Qur’an and informed His Prophet and the believers of its virtue with the following verse: “And during a part of the night, rise for prayer beyond what is obligatory for you; it may be that your Lord will raise you to a praiseworthy station.”[1]

Dear Brothers and Sisters!
Tahajjud is the night prayer performed after sleeping for a while following the Isha prayer. This act of worship was obligatory for our Prophet (saw) and is a Sunnah for his followers.[2]  In the Qur’an, when describing the qualities of the righteous servants, it is repeatedly emphasised that they rise at night to worship. In one verse, Allah (swt) says: “They arise from their beds; they supplicate their Lord in fear and hope.”[3] In another verse, Allah (swt) says: “They used to sleep but little of the night, and in the hours before dawn they would ask forgiveness.”[4]

Dear Jama’ah!
Our beloved Prophet (saw) gave great importance to night worship. A’ishah (ra) narrated: “The Prophet (saw) would pray so much that his feet became swollen. I said, ‘O Messenger of Allah! Why do you do this when all your past and future sins have already been forgiven?’ He replied, ‘Shall I not be a grateful servant to Allah?’”[5]

In another hadith, the Messenger of Allah said: “Perform the night prayer, for it was the practice of the righteous before you. It brings you closer to Allah, wipes away sins, and prevents wrongdoing.”[6]

Dear Brothers and Sisters!
Our Prophet (saw) said, “After the obligatory prayers, the most virtuous prayer is the night prayer” And, in the hadith, recited at the beginning of our khutba, he said: “O people! Spread peace, feed others, and pray at night while people are asleep, and you will enter Paradise in peace.”[7] Night worship is one of the most sincere forms of turning to Allah. In the Qur’an, it is stated that worship performed in the stillness of the night is “more effective and deeply moving for the heart.”[8]  In another verse, Allah (swt) reminds us of the status night worship grants to a believer: “Is one who is devoutly obedient during periods of the night, prostrating himself and standing in prayer, fearing the Hereafter and hoping for the mercy of his Lord, equal to one who disbelieves?”[9] Our beloved Prophet (saw) also said, “The honor of the believer lies in his night worship…”[10]  clearly emphasising the high regard Allah has for those who perform night prayer. In another saying, he stated: “Winter is the springtime of the believer. Its days are short and its nights are long, he spends its days in fasting and its nights in prayer.”[11] Through this, he encouraged fasting and night worship, especially during these months. Night worship carries great wisdom. It teaches patience and perseverance, purifies the heart and brings peace to the soul. It is a means for prayers to be accepted and for a strong bond to be formed between the servant and Allah.

Dear Jama’ah!
Let us observe the words of our Prophet (saw) and, as best as we can, spend the days of this winter in fasting and its nights in Tahajjud, dhikr and seeking forgiveness. Let us warm our homes during the long, cold winter nights with night worship, Qur’an, spiritual gatherings and prayer.

O Allah! Make us among Your servants who persist in night worship, find peace in it, and earn Your pleasure. Ameen!

[1] Surah Al-Isra, 17:79

[2] Surah Al-Muzzammil, 73:1-7; Surah As-Sajdah, 32:16; Surah Adh-Dhariyat, 51:17

[3] Surah As-Sajdah, 32:16

[4] Surah Adh-Dhariyat, 51:17-18

[5] Buhârî, Tefsîr, 2; Müslim, Münâfikîn, 81

[6] Tirmizî, Da’avât, 01; Beyhakî, Şuabü’l-îmân, II, 502

[7] Tirmizî, Kıyâme, 42

[8] Surah Al-Muzzammil, 73:6

[9] Surah Az-Zumar, 39:9

[10] Hâkim, el-Müstedrek, II, 285

[11] Ahmed b. Hanbel, Müsned, III, 54; Beyhakî, Şuabü’l-Îmân, III, 363

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