A Group Dialogue on Qiyamul Layl

A Group Dialogue on Qiyamul Layl[1]

Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem. Praise be to Allah Almighty, peace and blessings be upon our beloved Rasul (Messenger) Muhammad and his companions and those who followed him, Amma ba’d...

Question (1): Ustadha Ibtesam,
During Ramadan I say my ‘Ishaa prayers, then I wake up at about 2.30 am and I say my Lailatul Qadr Prayers and then the Witr prayers.

Is it alright or do I have to also say my Taraweeh prayers?

Ibtesam (1): As salamu ‘alaikumus salamu wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh.
Ustadhah,
What is Lailatul Qadr Prayer and we are still in the first 10th of Ramadan?!

Question (2): Walaikumussalam. actually I meant Tahajjud prayers.

Ibtesam (2):
(1) Tahajjud/Qiyamul Layl/Taraweeh - all are different names of the same night prayer which is offered after Salatul ‘Ishaa.

(2) And the terminology differs depending on different occasions.
(3) But in Ramadan one should emphasize and work hard more in such night prayers than any other time.

Question (3): So, what is the difference between Tahajjud, Qiyamul Layl and Taraweeh?

Ibtesam (3): All are same. Let’s have a quick look at these idiomatic terms…bismillah:
(1) Qiyamul Layl (قِيامُ اللّيل) is night prayer offered after Salatul ‘Ishaa.

Literally: Qiyamul Layl (قِيامُ اللّيل)means ‘standing of night’.

Idiomatically: Qiyamul Layl (قِيامُ اللّيل) refers to – prayer, recitation, adhkar etc. done at night; no matter whether it’s done in the whole night or a part of it. And this night prayer is offered after Salatul ‘Ishaa[2].

(2) Tahajjud (تَهَجُّد) is another name of the same Qiyamul Layl (قِيامُ اللّيل).
Literally: The word ‘Tahajjud’ (تَهَجُّد) is derived from the word ‘Hujood’ (هُجُوْد) which means ‘sleeping’ and it also means the opposite ‘staying up at night’[3].

Idiomatically: ‘Tahajjud (تَهَجُّد) means to stay up at night offering Salat without sleeping after ‘Ishaa prayer, no matter one prays before of after sleeping.

Some scholars said: Night prayer (Qiyamul Layl) is called ‘Tahajjud’ (تَهَجُّد) if it’s offered after sleeping[4].

(3) Taraweeh (تَراوِيْح) is another name of the same Qiyamul Layl(قِيامُ اللّيل)but this terminology is used in the month of Ramadan.

Literally: Taraweeh (تَراوِيْح) is the plural of ‘Tarweehah’ (تَرْوِيْحَة) which means to give break or take rest or relax[5].

Idiomatically: Muslims in earlier Hijri eras used to offer night prayers in Ramadan after Salatul ‘Ishaa and they used to take a break after every elongated four rak’at prayers and relax themselves; that’s why night prayer in Ramadan is known as ‘Taraweeh’ (تَراوِيْح)[6].

So, we can sum up that there is NO difference between Tahajjud, Qiyamul Layl and Taraweeh.

Question (4): So should we offer Taraweeh or it’s enough to offer Qiyamul Layl in Ramadan?

Ibtesam (4): Is there any difference betweenTaraweeh and Qiyamul Layl?

Question (5): No. But which is better for Ramadan?

Ibtesam (5): You just said ‘‘There is NO difference between the two’’ and in same time contradicting with the question ‘which one is better?!’

Does it make any sense?

If I say ‘Strawberry’ and ‘Farawlah’ (فَرَاوْلَة) are two different names in two different languages of the same fruit (🍓) ;

then would it be logical to ask: “Should I eat ‘Strawberry’ or ‘Farawlah’ (فَرَاوْلَة)?

Please answer.

Question (6): OK now I understood. So, can I pray both Taraweeh and Qiyamul layl?

Ibtesam (6): What is the difference between these two?

Question (7): Timing.

Ibtesam (7):

(1) There is NO difference between Taraweeh and Qiyamul Layl in timing.

(2) All Salat offered after ‘Ishaa is called Qiyamul Layl and in Ramadan is known as Taraweeh; no matter it’s in the first third or second third or last third of the night; regardless of whether it’s before or after sleeping.

(3) A Muslim in Ramadan should offer Salat and do Tilawah as much as he can, through out the whole night, as much as he can...as much as he can.

Question (8): Then are these all Nafl prayers?

Ibtesam (8): Qiyamul Layl (قِيامُ اللّيل) is Sunnah Mu’akkadah[7], more than simply Nalf worship.

Question (9): What is Mu'akkadah?

Ibtesam (9): ‘Mu'akkadah’ (مُؤَكَّدَة) means confirmed.
‘Sunnah Mu'akkadah’ is the Sunnah that Rasoolullah - sallallahu 'alyhi wa sallam - offered and regularly maintained all the time. It’s also known as ‘Sunnah Ratibah’.

Question (10): Can you give another example of Sunnah Mu’akkadah or Ratibah and also an example of Sunnah which is not Mu’akkadah or Ratibah?

Ibtesam (10):
Sunnah Mu’akkadah: Praying two rak’ahs before Salatul Fajr is an example of Sunnah Mu’akkadah or Ratibah i.e. Rasoolullah - sallallahu 'alyhi wa sallam – offered this prayer and regularly maintain all the time and even while travelling[8].

Sunnah Ghayr Mu’akkadah: Praying two rak’ahs before Salatul Maghrib is an example of a Sunnah which is not Mu’akkadah or not Ratibah[9].

Praise be to Allah the All-Knowing, the All-Seeing.