In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

The Best Moments

Perhaps the reason for so many blessing at nights is that darkness brings about an invaluable opportunity for opening one's heart to his Lord. Naturally, darkness acts as a cover between human and his surroundings, and conceals his eyes. Therefore, a separation occurs between human and this world, providing a relief and allowing him to supplicate to his Lord with peace of mind.

Worshipping Allah (SWT) and supplicating to Him at nights, especially in the last third of the night and between dawn and sunrise, is extremely enjoyable to "godly men". Those who have been blessed with this opportunity and have tasted a drop from this endless ocean, endeavor to stay on this path and invite others to join them.

Thus, the worshipers take utmost advantage of these hours. Not only the pious, but also Allah (SWT) has emphasized the importance of these hours, as Imam Baqir (PBUH) has said:

"No drop is more valuable to Allah (SWT) than a drop of tears that is shed at night out of fear of Allah (SWT), and just for His sake⁽¹⁾".

Nevertheless, despite all this indescribable joy, why is it that we often ignore this important opportunity? Perhaps the following story could partially answer this question.

It is narrated about one of the prominent scholars, who resided in Najaf, that:

One night when he got up for payer, he woke up his young son and said to him," Let us go to the shrine of Amir al-Mu'minin (PBUH) for prayers". The young boy who was not comfortable getting up at that time of night, made an excuse and said," I am not ready at the moment. Please don't wait for me. I'll go later". The scholar replied, "No! I am standing right here till you get up and then we will go together". The son, who had no option, got up, performed ablutions, and they went together.

When they arrived at the shrine of Amir al-Mu'minin (PBUH), they saw a needy person begging for money. The scholar asked his son: "Why is this man sitting here in the middle of night?" The son replied: "To beg people". The scholar asked: "How much is he likely to gain?" The son mentioned a very small amount. The scholar then said, "Pay attention and see how this needy man has refused to sleep and is out there, hoping that people might give him a very small amount of money, which is even uncertain. Do you not have confidence in the promises of your Lord to the worshippers at night as much as this man has confidence in people’s willingness to donate? "

Imam Baqir (PBUH) has explained one of such promises of Allah (SWT) as follows:" Allah (SWT) loves those who supplicate a lot among his servants; so it is up to you to supplicate and pray between dawn and sunrise, because that is when the doors of the heavens become open, the sustenance of people is distributed, and great wishes are fulfilled ⁽²⁾".

If we become certain only about this one promise of Allah (SWT), would we not get out of our beds at night?

 (The above is a selection taken from "The Night of Godly Men", by Ayatullah Sayyid Muhammad Dia' Abadi, with some changes and additions)

The Roshd Website offers condolences to all Muslims, especially you dear friend, upon 7^th of Dhi al-Hijjah, the anniversary of the martyrdom of the heir of the knowledge of the Prophet of Islam and the fifth Imam of the Shiites, Imam Muhammad ibn Ali al-Baqir (PBUH).

Roshd Islamic Shia Website

Footnotes:

1. Usul al-Kaafi, vol. 2, p. 482

2. Usul al-Kaafi, vol. 2, p. 478