In the Name of Allāh.
Qiyām al-Layl (Night Prayer) and voluntary Siyām (fasting) are highly valued acts among the righteous. Abū Umāmah reported that the Messenger of Allāh (ﷺ) stated, “Upon you is Night Prayer, for it is the habit of the righteous who came before you; it brings you closer to your Lord, it expiates your evil deeds and prevents you from sinning.” [Sunan At-Tirmidhī 3549]
Today, many individuals fall short in this regard, often without realizing it. They find themselves distanced from Allāh by disobeying Him, yet they believe everything is well. It’s essential to take heed! The inability to engage in fasting or standing at night for prayer is not just a sign of weakness; rather, it is an unmistakable indication of sins. Sufyān Ath-Thawrī (Raḥimahullāh) lamented, “I was prevented from night prayer for five months due to a sin which I committed!” [Ḥilyat al-Awliyā’ 7/18] For those unfamiliar with Sufyān Ath-Thawrī, Yaḥyā Ibn Yamān (Raḥimahullāh) remarked, “I have not seen the likes of Sufyān Ath-Thawrī, nor has Sufyān seen the likes of himself! The Dunyā presented itself to him, and he turned his face away from it!” [Musnad Ibn Ja’d 1766]
You are not Sufyān Ath-Thawrī, yet if you have fallen short in Qiyām and Siyām, it is crucial to recognize that all is not well. Ibn Mas’ūd (Raḍiyallāhu ‘Anhu) was once told, “We are not able to stand for night prayer!” and he responded, “That which has held you back are your sins!” [Latā’if Al-Ma’ārif 46] Similarly, Anas Ibn Mālik (Raḍiyallāhu ‘Anhu) remarked, “Verily, a person may be prevented from night prayer and fasting during the day due to a lie he has told!” [Shu’ab Al-Eemān 4547]
Dear brothers and sisters, let us take a moment to reflect on the profound words of our pious predecessors. They convey a truth that remains undeniable: our sins act like chains, restraining us from the virtuous deeds that could lead to our salvation. Unlike being prideful about their sins, our pious predecessors evaluated themselves with honesty, turning back to Allāh and refraining from wrongdoing. Abū Sulaymān Ad-Dārānī (Raḥimahullāh) offered a piece of advice regarding Qiyām: “If you are not able to stand for the night prayer, then do not disobey Allāh during the day!” [Ḥilyat al-Awliyā’ 9/261]
Let us heed the caution of Sufyān Ath-Thawrī, who, despite his virtues, was ensnared by sin and barred from Qiyām. We should remember the insights of Ibn Mas’ūd and Anas Ibn Mālik, emphasizing that our transgressions contribute to our spiritual shortcomings. Let us embrace the guidance of Abū Sulaymān Ad-Dārānī, who encourages limiting our sins to allow our obedience to Allāh to thrive. Turning to Allāh in humility, we must acknowledge that true strength for worship arises solely from adherence to Him. The pathway to righteousness may be challenging, but it is built on genuine repentance, constant self-reflection, and steadfast commitment.
I beseech Allāh to guide us on this journey and provide us with the fortitude to improve as Muslims. Aameen.
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