Question:
Is Qiyam al-Layl only performed in the month of Ramadan, or is it applicable throughout the year? When does it start and when does it end? Also, does Qiyam al-Layl only consist of prayer, or does it include both prayer and recitation of the Qur'an?
Answer:
Tahajjud and Qiyam al-Layl are Sunnah and highly virtuous acts of worship. The Prophet (ﷺ) and his companions (رضوان اللہ علیہم اجمعین) consistently observed them. As stated in the Qur'an:
إِنَّ رَبَّكَ يَعْلَمُ أَنَّكَ تَقُومُ أَدْنَى مِنْ ثُلُثَيِ اللَّيْلِ وَنِصْفَهُ وَثُلُثَهُ وَطَائِفَةٌ مِنَ الَّذِينَ مَعَكَ
(Al-Muzzammil: 20)
"Indeed, your Lord knows that you stand [in prayer] almost two-thirds of the night, or half of it, or a third of it, and [so do] a group of those with you."
This Qiyam (night prayer) is not limited to Ramadan; rather, it can be observed throughout the year. The time for Qiyam al-Layl is between the 'Isha prayer and the Fajr prayer. However, the most virtuous time to perform it is in the last part of the night. If one prays in the middle of the night, they will still earn great reward. The best practice is to sleep first and then wake up to pray in the last half of the night.
And Allah knows best.
— Shaykh Ibn Jibreen (رحمہ اللہ)
