Nasai

The adhan of Bilal (radi Allahu anhu) was neither for tahajjud (late night prayer), because there is no adhan for voluntary prayers (nawafil), nor was it for suhur (pre-dawn meal), because the adhan is for prayer, not for eating and drinking. Rather, it was for the Fajr prayer itself, but somewhat before its time. However, from this adhan, a person could benefit for tahajjud or suhur, just as one benefits from the Maghrib adhan for breaking the fast (iftar). In the time of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), although there was not much interval between these two adhans, since this interval is not fixed, it can also be longer.

Hadith Commentary:

Benefits and Issues:

➊ Rabi’ah bin Ka’b al-Aslami radi Allahu anhu was among the Ashab al-Suffah and would accompany the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam as his servant during both travel and residence. This incident occurred one night. Also, in the narrations of Thawban radi Allahu anhu and Rabi’ah radi Allahu anhu, “abundance of prostration” refers to the abundance of voluntary (nafl) prayers.

➋ Sometimes, those who are close to Allah experience such states that they feel at that moment the favors and bounties of Allah are being specially directed towards them. Based on this, they believe that whatever they ask from Allah at that time, insha Allah, will be granted. One night, when Rabi’ah radi Allahu anhu brought water and other necessities to the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, the Prophet, being pleased and delighted by his service, said: “Rabi’ah, if there is anything special you desire or wish for in your heart, ask for it now. I will supplicate to Allah for you, and I hope He will fulfill your wish.” In response, he expressed his desire for companionship with the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam in Paradise, and even upon being asked again, he said, “This is all I want.” The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: “You desire my companionship in Paradise; this is a very lofty and exalted station. I will supplicate for you regarding this great rank, but you should also strive practically to become deserving of it. The specific deed that can help you reach this station is the abundance of prostration (sujud) before Allah. Therefore, make special effort in this regard and assist me in your matter by doing so.”

From our explanation, the incorrect inference is answered—that the statement of the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, “Ask, what do you wish for?” indicates that Allah had given all the blessings of this world and the Hereafter into the ownership and authority of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, so that he could grant to whomever and as much as he wished (provided it conformed to destiny). If all blessings had been given into his authority and ownership, then why was there a need for him to say:

فَأَعِنِّي عَلَى نَفْسِكَ بِكَثْرَةِ السُّجُودِ (“So help me against yourself by making abundant prostration”)?

And why did Allah say:

﴿إِنَّكَ لا تَهْدِي مَنْ أَحْبَبْتَ﴾

and

﴿قُل لَّا أَمْلِكُ لِنَفْسِي نَفْعًا وَلَا ضَرًّا﴾ (“Say: I do not possess for myself any benefit or harm”)?

And why did the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam say to his aunt and daughter:

(إني لا أملك لكم من الله شيئأ) (“Indeed, I do not possess for you anything from Allah”)?

Furthermore, granting by Allah’s permission cannot be described as ownership and authority, such that “whatever he wishes, to whomever he wishes, he grants by the permission of the Lord.” When permission is required, then how can it be correct to say “whatever and to whomever”?

Benefits and Issues:
There are two types of dawn: false dawn (fajr kadhdhib) and true dawn (fajr sadiq).
During the false dawn, the pre-dawn meal (suhoor) is eaten, and as soon as the true dawn begins, the time for suhoor ends.
Bilal radi Allahu anhu used to give the call to prayer (adhan) during the false dawn to alert the people.
In the false dawn, at first the whiteness (light) rises vertically towards the sky, then soon after, the whiteness appears again and spreads across the horizon, and this is the true dawn (fajr sadiq).