Fatwa by: Shaykh Muhammad bin Salih al-Uthaymeen (حفظه الله)
Question:
I want to know how to determine the last third of the night in hours.
Answer:
It is not possible to determine the last third of the night in exact hours because night length varies. However, every individual can determine it for themselves by dividing the total duration of the night—from sunset to Fajr—into three equal parts. The first two parts constitute two-thirds of the night, and the last part is the final third.
It is established from Sayyiduna Abū Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه) that the Prophet ﷺ said:
“Every night, when the last third of the night remains, Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, descends to the lowest heaven and says: ‘Who is calling upon Me so that I may answer him? Who is asking of Me so that I may grant him? Who is seeking My forgiveness so that I may forgive him?’”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī and Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)
A believing servant should seize this precious time, even if it is only a short duration, hoping to gain this immense blessing. Perhaps he will obtain a portion of his Lord’s mercy and have his supplications honored and accepted.
And Allah knows best.
Question:
I want to know how to determine the last third of the night in hours.
Answer:
It is not possible to determine the last third of the night in exact hours because night length varies. However, every individual can determine it for themselves by dividing the total duration of the night—from sunset to Fajr—into three equal parts. The first two parts constitute two-thirds of the night, and the last part is the final third.
It is established from Sayyiduna Abū Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه) that the Prophet ﷺ said:
“Every night, when the last third of the night remains, Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, descends to the lowest heaven and says: ‘Who is calling upon Me so that I may answer him? Who is asking of Me so that I may grant him? Who is seeking My forgiveness so that I may forgive him?’”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī and Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)
A believing servant should seize this precious time, even if it is only a short duration, hoping to gain this immense blessing. Perhaps he will obtain a portion of his Lord’s mercy and have his supplications honored and accepted.
And Allah knows best.
