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Salat al-Layl

Taken from the Book: Weapon of the Believer

Author(s):Allamah MuhammadBaqir Majlisi

Translator(s):Shaykh Saleem Bhimji

Publisher(s): Al-Fath Al-Mubin Publications

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A short article that explains methods of recitingSalat al-Layl (the night prayer). Includes Arabic along with English translations.

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Thiswork is published on behalf of www.alhassanain.org/english

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Table of Contents

Introduction 5

Notes 7

Method of Reciting Salat al-Layl 8

Notes 10

Qunut of Salat al-Witr 11

Notes 13

The Concise Method of Reciting Salat al-Layl 14

Qunut of Salat al-Witr (in Concise Method) 15

Notes 16

Introduction

In many of the verses of the Qur`an, the performance ofSalat al-Layl and staying awake a portion of the night - after midnight - in the worship of Allah (Glory and Greatness be to Him) has been mentioned, of which, we present some of these verses:

وَالْمُسْتَغْفِرِينَ بِالأَسْحٌارِ

“…and those who ask forgiveness in the morning times.”

وَمِنَ اللَّيْلِ فَتَهَجَّدْ بِهِ نٌافِلَةً لَّكَ

“Say your special (tahajjud ) prayer during some part of the night…”

وَالَّذِينَ يَبِيتُونَ لِرَبِّهِمْ سُجَّدًا وَقِيٌامًا

“And they who pass the night prostrating themselves before their Lord and standing.”

تَتَجٌافَى جُنُوبُهُمْ عَنِ الْمَضٌاجِعِ يَدْعُونَ رَبَّهُمْ خَوْفًا وَطَمَعًا وَمِمٌّا رَزَقْنٌاهُمْ يُنفِقُونَ

“Their sides draw away from (their) beds, they call upon their Lord in fear and in hope, and they spend (benevolently) out of whatWe have given them.”

كٌانُوا قَلِيلاً مِّنَ اللَّيْلِ مٌا يَهْجَعُونَ. وَبِلأَسْحٌارِ هُمْ يَسْتَغْفِرُونَ

“They used to sleep but little in the night. And in the morning they asked forgiveness.”

TheSalat al-Layl wasWajib upon the Messenger of Allah1 and no Prophethad been sent before him except that it was obligatory upon them as well.2

In theahadith from theAhlul Bayt (peacebe upon all of them), it has been emphatically mentioned that:

1.Salat al-Layl protects one during the daytime.3

2.Salat al-Layl is aKaffarah for the sins committed in the day.4

3. That house in whichSalat al-Layl is recited beams with light for those who are in the heavens just as the stars beam with light for those who are on earth.5

4. The great and noble people of our nation are those who are protectors of the Qur`an and who stay awake the night in worship.6

5. There are threethings which raise a person’s rank and station:

(i ) Initiating the greeting to a fellow Muslim,

(ii)feeding poor people,

(iii)Salat in the darkness of the night when all other people are busy sleeping.7

6.Salat al-Layl makes one’s face beautiful; beautifies one’s etiquette; gives a pleasant smell to one’s body and increases one’s daily sustenance. It also removes sorrow and grief and gives strength to the eyes.8

7. One who does not read theSalat al-Layl is not considered as aShi`a of theAhlul Bayt.9

8. One who is not able to perform theSalat al-Layl is truly a very unfortunate person.10

9. Committing sins is one of the reasons for one to be unsuccessful in the performance ofSalat al-Layl.11

10. The performance ofSalat al-Layl leads to gaining the pleasure of Allah (Glory and Greatness be to Him); love of the Angels; is theSunnah of the Prophets; leads to the light of true recognition of Allah (Glory and Greatness be to Him); is the foundation of belief; tranquility of the soul; destruction ofShaitan ; a weapon against one’s enemies; acceptance of one’s supplications; acceptance of one’s actions; increases the blessings in one’s sustenance; intercession when the Angel of Death comes; brightness in the grave; protects the person while in the grave; ease in the answering of the angelsMunkir andNakir and is the companion and friend in the grave.12

Notes

1. Bihar Al-Anwar, Vol. 87, Pg. 122

2. Bihar Al-Anwar, Vol. 87, Pg. 136;Tafsir Al-Qummi , Pg. 701

3. Bihar Al-Anwar, Vol. 87, Pg. 154;Mahasin Barqi , Pg. 53

4. Bihar Al-Anwar, Vol. 87, Pg. 136

5. Bihar Al-Anwar, Vol. 87, Pg. 161;Rawdhatu `l-Wai`dhin , Pg. 320

6. Bihar Al-Anwar, Vol. 87, Pg. 138;Amali Shaikh aduq , Pg. 141

7. Bihar Al-Anwar, Vol. 87, Pg. 141;Khisal , Vol. 1, Pg. 42

8. Bihar Al-Anwar, Vol. 86, Pg. 153,Thawab Al-A’mal , Pg. 38

9. Bihar Al-Anwar, Vol. 87, Pg. 162;Maqnah ofShaikh Mufid , Pg. 111

10. Bihar Al-Anwar, Vol. 87, Pg. 164;Ma`ani Al-Akhbar , Pg. 342

11. Bihar Al-Anwar, Vol. 87, Pg. 152;Tawhid Shaikh aduq , Pg. 17

12. Bihar Al-Anwar, Vol. 87, Pg. 161;Irshad Al-Qulub , Pg. 316

Method of RecitingSalat al-Layl

Salat al-Layl is 11Rak`at in which the first8 Rak`at are prayed in fourSalat of twoRak`at each with the intention ofSalat al-Layl (we finish each twoRak`at ofSalat off with the Salam and then start the next set ofSalat until we have completed 8Rak`at ). Following this, twoRak`at would be read with the intention ofSalat ash-Shaf `. Once this is recited, oneRak`at with the intention ofSalat al-Witr would be recited.

The time ofSalat al-Layl is the last one third of the night.1

It is a commonly held belief that the closer that theSalat al-Layl is read to the time ofSalat al-Fajr , the better it is, however, in manyahadith it has been mentioned that a little bit after the middle of the night, the Prophet of Islam and theA’immah (blessings of Allah be upon all of them), performed theSalat al-Layl . The narrations that mention these are great and it is has been mentioned that this is the time when one’s supplications are answered.2

However, it has also been mentioned that the Messenger of Allah (blessings of Allahbe upon him and his family) used to recite theSalat al-Layl in three stages:

1. FourRak`at after the middle of the night.

2. FourRak`at in the last one-third of the night.

3. ThreeRak`at near to the time ofFajr while performing a very long Ruku.3

It has been narrated that when Imam `Aliibn Musa al-Rida (peace be upon him) was on his way fromMadinah toKhurasan , he first recited theSalat ofJa`far at-Tayyar and counted thatSalat as a part of theSalat al-Layl.4

It isMustahab that after each twoRak`at , theTasbih of Fatimaaz -Zahra (blessings be upon her) is performed.5

In the secondRak`at of each of the twoRak`at Salat , it isMustahab that before going intoRuku `, theQunut is performed. It is alsoMustahab that in theQunut , if possible, one sheds tears for the fear of Allah and for the fear of the punishment of Allah (Glory and Greatness be to Him) and if onecan not cry, he should at least ‘pretend’ to cry.6

It isMustahab that in the first and secondRak`at of theSalat al-Layl that afterSurah al-Fatiha ,Surah al-Ikhlas is recited 30 times.7 If one is not able to recite this, then in the firstRak`at after al-Fatiha , one should reciteSurah al-Ikhlas and in the secondRak`at afterSurah al-Fatiha , one should reciteSurah al-Kafirun .

It is better that in the secondRak`at of the firstSalat ,Surah al-Muzzammil is read and in the secondRak`at of the secondSalat ,Surah an-Naba is read. It isMustahab that in the firstRak`at of the thirdSalat ,Surah Ya Sin is read, and in the secondRak`at (of the thirdSalat ),Surah ad-Dukhan is read - alternately, one can readSurah Waqiyah in place ofYa Sin andSurah al-Muddathir in place ofSurah ad-Dukhan . It isMustahab that in the firstRak`at of the fourthSalat ,Surah al-Mulk is read and in the secondRak`at of the fourthSalat ,Surah al-Insan is read.8

It has been mentioned that Imam Muhammadibn `Ali al-Baqir (peacebe upon him) used to reciteSurah al-Ikhlas in theSalat al-Shaf ` andSalat al-Witr and after reciting thisSurah , would say:

كَذٌالِكَ اللٌّهُ رَبِّي

“This is Allah my Lord” 9

Recitation ofSurah al-Ikhlas is counted as the recitation of one-third of the Qur`an, thus,who ever recites thisSurah in the threeRak`at (Salat al-Shaf ` andSalat al-Witr ) is as if he has recited the entire Qur`an.10

Notes

1. Bihar Al-Anwar, Vol. 87, Pg. 223; Al-Hidayah , Pg. 35

2. Bihar Al-Anwar, Vol. 87, Pg. 227

3. Bihar Al-Anwar, Vol. 87, Pg. 228

4. Bihar Al-Anwar, Vol. 87, Pg. 231; `Uyun Al-Akhbar ar-Rida , Vol. 2, Pg. 181

5. Bihar Al-Anwar, Vol. 87, Pg. 243

6. Bihar Al-Anwar, Vol. 87, Pg. 272;Misbah Al-Muttahajjid , Pg. 107

7. Bihar Al-Anwar, Vol. 87, Pg. 232

8. Bihar Al-Anwar, Vol. 87, Pg. 243

9. Bihar Al-Anwar, Vol. 87, Pg. 226;Furu ` Al-Kafi , Vol. 3, Pg. 441

10. Bihar Al-Anwar, Vol. 86, Pg. 226;Tahdhib , Vol. 1, Pg. 171

Qunut ofSalat al-Witr

TheSalat al-Witr is oneRak`at and is theSalat and whispered supplication that completes theSalat al-Layl . As it has been mentioned in theahadith , theSalat is theMe` raj of the believer, and theSalat al-Witr is the wave that carries the believer to the higher realms. Ithas been specifically mentioned in theahadith that,“The more a person stands while in theSalat al-Witr will have to stand less on the Day ofJudgement .” 1

The main item that carries one during this spiritual journey is theQunut of theSalat al-Witr in which those who are the true servants ofAllah, spend countless hours, engrossed in supplication and tears and asking forgiveness for their sins.

The Prophet of Islam Muhammadibn `Abdullah (blessings of Allah be upon him and his family) has said:“Whichever of you prolongs theQunut in hisSalat al-Witr will have more ease on the Day of Judgement.” 2

In theWajib Salat , theQunut is in place for the servant to supplicate to his Lord however in theSalat al-Witr , it is for asking forgiveness to Allah.3

The following verse of the Qur`an has been constantly mentioned in theahadith in reference to asking forgiveness during theSalat and especially during theSalat al-Witr :

بِالأسْحاَرِ هُمْ يَسْتَغْفِرُونَ

“…and in the morning time, they used to ask for forgiveness” 4

During theQunut of theSalat al-Witr , there are many supplications, whichcan be recited , and although it is not possible to list all of them here, we will mention the most important forms of seeking forgiveness.

At the time of asking forgiveness, one should lift his left hand for asking forgiveness and use the right hand to count the number of times5 and if one uses atasbih made from the dirt ofKerbala , then the reward of the forgiveness is increased.

Ithas been related that the Prophet of Islam Muhammadibn Abdullah (blessings of Allah be upon him and his family) would ask forgiveness 70 times during theSalat al-Witr.6

ImamJa`far ibn Muhammad as-adiq (peace be upon him) has said:“Whosoever recites the following in theSalat al-Witr 70 times and continues to do so for one entire year will be counted by Allah as aMustaghfirin bil ashar or one who used to ask forgiveness during the night time and will makeJannah Wajib upon that person.” 7

أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللٌّهَ وَ أَتُوبُ إِلَيْهِ

“I seek repentance from Allah, my Lord and to Him I turn back.”

In anotherhadith it has been mentioned that,“Whosoever says the following 100 times at the end of hisQunut and continues to do so forfourty nights will be counted as aMustaghfirin bil ashar or one who used to ask forgiveness during the night time.” 8

أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللٌّهَ وَ أَتُوبُ إِلَيْهِ

“I seek repentance from Allah, my Lord and to Him I turn back.”

The Prophet of Islam Muhammadibn `Abdullah (blessings of Allahbe upon him and his family) used to ask for forgiveness 70 times in theQunut ofSalat al-Witr followed by reciting the below line seven times:

هٌذَا مَقٌامُ الْعٌائِذِ بِكَ مِنَ النٌّارِ

“This is the station of the person who seeks refuge with You from the Hell Fire.” 9

The method of asking forgiveness as taught to us by Amir al-Mo’minin `Aliibn Abi Talib (peacebe upon him) in the night as is follows:

1. Recite the following 70 times:

أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللٌّهَ رَبِّي وَأَتُوبُ إِلَيْهِ

“I seek repentance from Allah, my Lord and to Him I turn back.”

2. Followed by reciting the following seven times:

أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللٌّهَ الَّذِي لاٌ إِلٌهَ إِلاٌّ هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ وَأَتُوبُ إِلَيهِ

“I seek repentance from Allah the One whom there is no god except Him, the Living and Self-Subsisting and to Him I turn back.” 10

One of the most important acts in theQunut of theSalat al-Witr is supplication for forty believers (men or women) amongst one’s family, friends, those who have asked to be prayed for, the deceased and theShi`a of Amir Al-Mo’minin `Aliibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him). Whosoever does this will be assured that his supplications areanswered.11

One should then say the following three hundred times:

اَلْعَفْوُ

“I ask for forgiveness.”

Following this, the followingshould be said once:

رَبَّ اغْفِرْلِي وَارْحَمْنِي وَتُبْ عَلَيِّ إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ التَّوٌابُ الرَّحِيمِ

“Lord, please forgive me and have mercy upon me and turn back towards me. VerilyYou are the Oft-Turning back, Most Merciful” 12

It has been mentioned that Imam `Aliibn al-Husain as-Sajjad (peacebe upon him) used to recite the following line three hundred times in hisQunut during theSalat al-Witr :

اَلْعَفْوُ

“I ask for forgiveness.” 13

Allamah Majlisi has mentioned that the word (اَلْعَفْوُ ) can also be recited as (اَلْعَفْوَ ) (with afathah instead of adhammah ) on the last letter.

* Please do not forget this humble servant of Allah (Glory and Greatness be to Him) in your prayers and especially in the blessedQunut of theSalat Al-Layl .

Notes

1. Bihar Al-Anwar, Vol. 87, Pg. 154;Fiqh ar-Rida , Pg. 1

2. Bihar Al-Anwar, Vol. 87, Pg. 287; Al-Faqih , Vol. 1, Pg. 308

3. Bihar Al-Anwar, Vol. 18, Pg. 261, Al-Faqih , Vol. 1, Pg. 311

4. Bihar Al-Anwar, Vol. 87, Pg. 207; `Illul ash-Shara’i , Vol. 2, Pg. 53

5. Bihar Al-Anwar, Vol. 87, Pg. 208

6. Bihar Al-Anwar, Vol. 87, Pg. 121;Tahdhib , Vol. 1, Pg. 272

7. Bihar Al-Anwar, Vol. 87, Pg. 120; Al-Faqih , Vol. 1, Pg. 301

8. Bihar Al-Anwar, Vol. 87, Pg. 22ا ;Misbah ofKaf`ami , Pg. 53

9. Bihar Al-Anwar, Vol. 87, Pg. 287; Al-Faqih , Vol. 1, Pg. 301

10. Bihar Al-Anwar, Vol. 87, Pg. 308;Misbah of Al-Kaf`ami , Page 58

11. Bihar Al-Anwar, Vol., 87, Pg., 284;Misbah Al-Muttahajjid , Pg. 101

12. Bihar Al-Anwar, Vol., 87, Pg. 275;Misbah Al-Muttahajjid , Pg. 101

13. Bihar Al-Anwar, Vol., 87, Pg., 275;Misbah Al-Muttahajjid , Pg. 101

The Concise Method of RecitingSalat al-Layl

Salat al-Layl is 11Rak`at in which:

1. The first8 Rak`at are prayed in fourSalat of twoRak`at each with the intention ofSalat al-Layl (after each twoRak`at , give the Salam, finish theSalat and then stand for the next set ofSalat .)

2. Following this, twoRak`at would be read with the intention ofSalat ash-Shaf ` (thisSalat is performed exactly asSalatul Fajr ).

3. Once this is recited, oneRak`at with the intention ofSalat al-Witr would be recited. In thisSalat ,recite Surah Al-Fatiha once,Surah al-Ikhlas three times followed bySurah al-Falaq andSurah al-Nas once each.

Once this part of theSalat is finished, we raise our hands inQunut such that our palms are facing the sky and our hands are level with our eyes and perform the following.

Qunut ofSalat al-Witr (in Concise Method)

1. Recite the following 70 times:

أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللٌّهَ رَبِّي وَأَتُوبُ إِلَيْهِ

“I seek repentance from Allah, my Lord and to Him I turn back.”

2. Followed by reciting the following seven times:

أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللٌّهَ الَّذِي لاٌ إِلٌهَ إِلاٌّ هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ وَأَتُوبُ إِلَيهِ

“I seek repentance from Allah the One whom there is no god except Him, the Living and Self-Subsisting and to Him I turn back.” 1

3. One of the most important acts in theQunut of theSalat al-Witr is supplication for forty believers (men or women) amongst one’s family, friends, those who have asked to be prayed for, the deceased and theShi`a of Amir Al-Mo’minin `Aliibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him). Whosoever does this will be assured that his supplications areanswered.2

4. One should then say the following three hundred times:

اَلْعَفْوُ

“I ask for forgiveness.”

5. Following this, the followingshould be said once:

رَبَّ اغْفِرْلِي وَارْحَمْنِي وَتُبْ عَلَيِّ إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ التَّوٌابُ الرَّحِيمِ

“Lord, please forgive me and have mercy upon me and turn back towards me. VerilyYou are the Oft-Turning back, Most Merciful” 3

Please do not forget all of the believers throughout the world in yourSalat al-Layl , especially those downtrodden and oppressed Muslims of Palestine, Iraq, Kashmir, Chechnya, Bosnia, and all over the globe - this humble servant of Allah (Glory and Greatness be to Him) as well.

May Allah (Glory and Greatness be to Him) hasten the advent of the 12th Imam (may Allah hasten his return) to fill this world with justice and equality.

Notes

1. Bihar Al-Anwar, Vol. 87, Pg. 308;Misbah of Al-Kaf`ami , Page 58

2. Bihar Al-Anwar, Vol., 87, Pg., 284;Misbah Al-Muttahajjid , Pg. 101

3. Bihar Al-Anwar, Vol., 87, Pg. 275;Misbah Al-Muttahajjid , Pg. 101

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