” Night Prayers ” Among the dearest acts of devotion in Islam are the night prayers, called Qiyam al-Layl and Tarawih. These unique prayers bridge a believer closer to Allah, making their nights peaceful, reflective, and connected to Him. The Night Prayers: Qiyam & Tarawih by Muhammad Al-Jibaly is a scholarly and comprehensive examination of these valuable forms of devotion.
Muhammad Al-Jibaly, who is well-known for his accurate and fact-based publications, gives a detailed explanation based on the Qur’an and Sunnah. His book not only teaches us how to pray the night prayers, but it also brings to life the spiritual spirit and reason for performing them.
Learning Qiyam al-Layl
Qiyam al-Layl is voluntary prayer done at night. It is considered to be of high virtue in Islamic practice, just below the five daily prayers. The Prophet Muhammad ï·º was always a practitioner of Qiyam and urged the same in his followers. In the Qur’an, Allah blesses people who pray during the night, saying:
“They forsake their beds to call upon their Lord in fear and hope.” (Surah As-Sajdah 32:16)
This nightly prayer is not limited to a specific month. It is a practice dear to Allah and available all year round for those who seek to heighten their iman and undergo spiritual change.
The Special Status of Tarawih
At Ramadan time, Qiyam assumes a special status called Tarawih. These are congregational prayers said after the required ‘Isha prayer. Tarawih is a Sunnah Muakkadah (strong Sunnah), observed by the Prophet ï·º and revived in congregation by Caliph Umar ibn Al-Khattab (RA). He unified the people behind a single imam to restore the oneness and feeling of the night prayer in Ramadan.
Muhammad Al-Jibaly discusses the history of Tarawih extensively, following its history from the Prophet’s time ï·º to the rightly guided Caliphs, backed with genuine Hadiths and scholarly views.
How Many Rak’ahs in Tarawih?
One of the most important discussions in the book is the number of rak’ahs (units of prayer) in Tarawih. While most communities recite 20 rak’ahs, others do 8. Al-Jibaly discusses this variation by supplying proof from Hadith literature and the Prophet’s ï·º practice. He suggests evidence-based practice, highlighting that the Prophet ï·º never went beyond 11 rak’ahs (8 for Qiyam and 3 for Witr) in Ramadan or otherwise, as cited in Sahih Bukhari and Muslim. At the same time, however, he promotes harmony and respect within the Ummah where there is variation.
The Importance of Witr Prayer
Witr is the last odd-numbered prayer that is made after Qiyam or Tarawih. It is an act of closing devotion for the night. The Prophet ï·º taught: “Make Witr your last prayer at night.” (Bukhari & Muslim) In this work, Al-Jibaly describes various forms of Witr, such as one, three, five, or any number of rak’ahs. He describes the rulings, du’as (such as Qunoot), and most frequent mistakes committed in Witr. He also discusses whether Witr can be repeated and when Witr may be delayed.
Reviving a Forgotten Sunnah
One of the greatest themes in The Night Prayers is reviving genuine Islamic traditions according to the Qur’an and genuine Hadith. Most Muslims today do not pay attention to the night prayers or are bewildered by varying practices. Muhammad Al-Jibaly dispels this confusion with exact references and logical design. He does not only write for the sake of educating, but to enable Muslims to enact these righteous acts of worship in their lives.
The book also offers useful suggestions on how to develop the habit of night prayer even for those who are time-strapped. Spiritual motivation, time management, and the blessings that await those who are patient are discussed.
Organized and Easy to Follow
Another reason why this book ranks high is its clear organization and easy readability. Al-Jibaly shuns unnecessary complexity and organizes the topic in a manner accessible to beginners and advanced learners alike.
Every chapter is complemented with Qur’anic verses, Hadiths, and quotes of traditional scholars. Issues such as intention, timing, duration of recitation, and allowed practices are discussed in a clear manner.
A Book for the Whole Family
The Night Prayers is ideal for personal reading or group recitation. Families can adopt it during Ramadan or at any other time of the year to rediscover night worship. Its contents not only promote prayer, but also spiritual contemplation, family closeness, and reinstatement of the Sunnah. It also resonates with imams and community leaders who would want to lead their congregations in the right and meaningful observance of Tarawih and Qiyam.
Final Thoughts
The Night Prayers: Qiyam & Tarawih by Muhammad Al-Jibaly is a prayer guide in every sense. It is the key to spiritual renewal. In a world of distraction and activity, this work encourages us to remember the tranquility available only during the still hours of the night, standing before our Lord. The message never grows old: deepen your relationship with Allah through the blessed nightly prayers, just like the Prophet ï·º and his followers.
Whether you are seeking to enhance your Ramadan practice or embrace a regular nightly practice, this book provides the guidance you require based on authentic Islamic traditions and presented with clarity and depth.
Read more: An Nasihah Islamic Curriculum Coursebook 1
