06-01-2011, 12:49 PM
“And march forth in the way (which leads to) forgiveness from your Lord, and for Paradise as wide as are the heavens and the earth, prepared for the pious.* Those who spend [in Allah's Cause - deeds of charity, alms, etc.] in prosperity and in adversity, who repress anger, and who pardon men; verily, Allah loves the good-doers.” (Quran 3: 133-134)
Allah’s, may He be Glorified, mercy towards His devotees is immense as Allah granted them small and easy deeds, of which, the reward equal Qiymul Layl (Salat during late night time when people are asleep). Therefore, one who misses or is unable to perform Qiyamul Lay, he/she should not miss performing such deeds in order to make his balance heavy. However, do not take this as reason for being reluctant to perform Qiyamul Layl.
The aforementioned deeds include:
1. Performing Esha and Fajr Salat in group:
Narrated under the authority of Othman Ibn A`ffan, may Allah be pleased with him that he said: the Messenger of Allah blessings and peace be upon him said: “One who performs Esha Salat in group shall be rewarded of equal to one who performed Qiyam of half a night and one who performs Esha and Fajr in group, shall be rewarded of equal to one who performed Qiyam of whole night” (reported by Abu Daoud and Al alBany rated it as sound hadith).
2. Performing 4 Raka`a before Zohr Salat:
Narrated under the authority of Abi Saleh, that the Messenger of Allah blessings and peace be upon him said: “Performing four Rak`a preceding Zohr Salat shall equal, in reward, Salatu Sahar (third part of the night)” (reported in Sahih Jame`a).
Furthermore, the same 4 Rak`a even have additional advantage that they cause gates of heaves to open. Narrated under the authority of Abu Ayoub Al Ansary, that the Prophet blessing and peace be upon him said: “Performing four Raka`a (Sunnah) before Zohr without tasleem (after the first two), gates of heaven shall open to them” (reported by Abi Daoud and Ibn Majeh)
Consequently, our beloved Prophet blessing and peace be upon him used to be very keen on performing those Raka`a. In case he missed them for any urgent circumstances, he would perform them after the Fard Salat, he never overlooked them.
3. Performing all of the Taraweeh (evening voluntary Salat after Esha performed during Ramadan) Salat with the Imam:
Narrated under the authority of Abi Dhar may Allah Be pleased with him that he said: “we fasted the month of Ramadan with the Messenger of Allah blessing and peace be upon him, but the Prophet blessing and peace be upon him did not lead us for Qiyam until 7 days before the end of the month, then he led us for Qiyam until one third of the night had passed. When only six days of the month had remained, he did not lead us for Qiyam! When five days had left, he did until half of the night passed, we said: O Messenger of Allah! If only you lead us for qiyam of this night as Nafl (voluntary), he said: (a man who performs Salat with the Imam until the Imam concludes Salat, this shall account for him as Qiyamulayl” (reported by Nasa`I, and Abi Daoud).
4. Reciting hundred Ayah in the evening:
Narrated under the authority of Tamim Al Dary may Allah be pleased with him that he said: the Messenger of Allah blessing and peace be upon him said: “One who recites hundred Ayahs in a given night, it shall be recorded for him as Qunotu (staying up performing Salah and worshiping Allah) of one night” (reported by Termidhi).
5. Reciting two Ayahs from the end of Surat Baqarah in the night:
Narrated under the authority of Ibn Masoud, he said: the Prophet blessing and peace be upon him said: “One who recites the last two Ayahs from Surat Baqarah in a night would suffice him” (reported by Bukhari).
Nawawy, may Allah Have mercy on him said: it had been explained that the meaning is to be sufficient for him to replace Qiyamul Layl. It had been also explained as protecting him from Shaytan, or insects and it is likely that all of those interpretations are valid.
6. Good mannerism:
Narrated under the authority of A`esha may Allah be pleased with her, she said, I heard the Messenger of Allah blessing and peace be upon him saying: “A believer may attain by virtue of good mannerism degrees of one who performs Qiyamul Layal and Sawm of day time” (Al Albany rated it sound)
Abu Tayeb Mohammad Shamsedeen Abady may Allah Have mercy on him explained: one who maintains good mannerism is granted this great virtue because the fasting person and one who performs Salat during night time, both struggle with themselves and good mannerism is associated with adopting good and kind treatment with people and refraining from harm which equally require great struggle with onelsef.
7. Serving the widow and poor people:
Narrated under the authority of Abi Horaira, may Allah be pleased with him that he said: the Prophet blessing and peace be upon him said: “One who assists and helps the widow and poor is equal to the Mujahid (one who struggles in the path of Allah) in the Name of Allah or one who perform Qiyamul Layl and fasts during day time” (reported by Bukhari).
8. Maintaining some of the Juma`a manners:
Narrated under the authority of Bin Aws Athaqafay, may Allah be pleased with him said: I heard the Messenger of Allah blessing and peace be upon him say: “one who took Ghusl (full bath) and caused another to take Ghusl (an implication for the man to have intercourse with his wife before going out for Juma`a because if he has intercourse with her, she would need Ghusl as well) on Friday, started early and had been keen on heading towards Masjed early, walked and did not take a ride, stood close to the Imam, listened and refrained from vain talk, he would be rewarded for each step that he took an equal of the deeds of one year, the reward of fasting and performing Qiyamul Layl for one year” (reported in Sahih Al Jame).
9. Take the intention of performing Qiyamul layl before going to sleep:
Narrated under the authority of Abi Al Dardaa, may Allah be pleased with him, referring it to the Prophet, blessing and peace be upon him saying :”One who goes to bed with an intention to get up and perform Salat during night time, but his eyes defeated him till he wakes up in the morning, what he intended shall be recorded, and his sleep shall be counted as Sadaqa for him from His Lord may He be Glorified” (reported by Nasaei, and Ibn Majeh).
10. Teaching others deeds that received an equal reward of Qiyamul Layl:
Teaching others deeds that receive an equal reward of Qiyamul Layl is another means for gaining the reward of Qiyamul Layl. In this context, one who refers others for good deeds shall be treated as one who performed them. Be a caller for good.