Hadith #3354

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

The Arabic phrase in the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) that we will be focusing on is "مَنْ خافَ أدْلَجَ". The word (khaafa) "خافَ" means to fear or be afraid, and (adlaja) "أدْلَجَ" means to get up or rise. Therefore, the translation of the Hadith is

One who fears [Allah] gets up [to worship Him] in the night.

This Hadith emphasizes the importance of fearing Allah and the subsequent action of rising in the night for worship. The act of getting up in the night for worship is known as "Qiyam al-Layl" or the Night Prayer. It is a voluntary act of worship that demonstrates one's devotion and love for Allah.

To understand the significance of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. In Surah Al-An'am, Allah says, (Quran 17:79)

And from [part of] the night, pray with it as additional [worship] for you; it is expected that your Lord will resurrect you to a praised station.

This verse highlights the importance of the Night Prayer and the reward that awaits those who engage in it.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Muzzammil, Allah says, (Quran 73:20)

Indeed, your Lord knows, [O Muhammad], that you stand [in prayer] almost two-thirds of the night or half of it or a 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] will not be able to do it and has turned to you in forgiveness, so recite what is easy [for you] of the Quran.

This verse acknowledges the difficulty of engaging in the Night Prayer for extended periods and encourages Muslims to recite what is manageable for them.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder to Muslims of the importance of fearing Allah and engaging in acts of worship, particularly the Night Prayer. It highlights the connection between fear of Allah and the motivation to rise in the night for worship. When one truly fears Allah, they are driven to seek His pleasure and draw closer to Him through acts of devotion.

The act of getting up in the night for worship has numerous benefits. It allows for a peaceful and undisturbed environment, where one can focus solely on their connection with Allah. It is a time of solitude and reflection, where one can seek forgiveness, supplicate, and recite the Quran. It is also a means of purifying the heart and increasing one's faith.

Engaging in the Night Prayer requires discipline, dedication, and sacrifice. It requires sacrificing sleep and exerting effort to stand before Allah in worship. However, the rewards are immense. It is a means of attaining closeness to Allah, seeking His forgiveness, and earning His pleasure. It is a way to strengthen one's relationship with Allah and increase in piety.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of fearing Allah and the subsequent action of rising in the night for worship. It serves as a reminder to Muslims of the significance of the Night Prayer and the rewards that await those who engage in it. May Allah grant us the ability to fear Him and engage in acts of worship that draw us closer to Him.