Hadith on Supplications in Qiyam al-Layl
It is narrated from Ali ibn Abi Talib (رضي الله عنه) that when the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) stood for prayer, he would recite the following supplication:"I have turned my face towards the One who created the heavens and the earth, inclining towards Him alone, and I am not among the polytheists. Indeed, my prayer, my sacrifice, my life, and my death are all for Allah, the Lord of the worlds, with no partner. This is what I have been commanded, and I am among the first to submit. O Allah, You are the King, there is no deity except You. You are my Lord, and I am Your servant. I have wronged myself and confess my sins, so forgive all my sins, for none can forgive sins except You. Guide me to the best of manners, as none can guide to them except You. Turn away from me bad manners, as none can turn them away except You. Here I am, in obedience to You, all goodness is in Your hands, and evil is not attributed to You. I exist by You and return to You. You are Most Blessed and Exalted. I seek Your forgiveness and repent to You."
When the Prophet (ﷺ) would go into Ruku' (bowing), he would say:"O Allah, I have bowed to You, believed in You, and submitted to You. My hearing, sight, flesh, bones, and nerves have all humbled before You."
When raising his head from Ruku', he would say:"O Allah, our Lord! All praise belongs to You, as much as fills the heavens, the earth, and what is in between them, and as much as You will beyond that."
When he would go into Sujood (prostration), he would say:"O Allah, I have prostrated to You, believed in You, and submitted to You. My face has prostrated before the One who created and shaped it, and gave it hearing and sight. Blessed is Allah, the Best of Creators."
Before concluding the prayer, between Tashahhud and Tasleem, the Prophet (ﷺ) would recite:"O Allah, forgive my past and future sins, my hidden and apparent sins, my excesses, and what You know better than me. You are the One who brings forward and the One who delays. There is no deity except You."
[Sahih Muslim: 498]
In another narration:
"When the Prophet (ﷺ) would begin his prayer, he would say 'Allahu Akbar' and then recite the above supplications."
[Sahih Muslim: 771, narrated by Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah]
Another narration states:
"These supplications were recited during the night prayer."
[Sahih Muslim: 769, narrated by Abdullah bin Abbas]
Key Benefits and Lessons
➊ Reciting Sunnah supplications in Qiyam al-Layl is permissible and encouraged as practiced by the Prophet (ﷺ).➋ Special emphasis should be placed on night prayer (Qiyam al-Layl), as it is a time to whisper in devotion to the Almighty. When the night spreads its darkness, when the melodious birds finish their praises and retreat to rest, when humans set aside their worldly pursuits and fall into deep sleep, and when the creatures of the night begin their hushed songs—at that very moment, the Merciful Lord descends to the lowest heaven with His illuminating presence, eager to listen to the calls of His servants. In the last part of the night, He attentively hears the recitation of His words, responds to every supplicant, provides sustenance to those who seek it, and grants forgiveness to those yearning for His mercy.
➌ Tahajjud is a highly virtuous act. It provides a golden opportunity for one to open their heart before their Creator and seek His mercy.
➍ The night prayer can be prolonged according to one's capacity. It is recommended to instill the habit of praying at night in children so that they can observe it easily when they grow older.
➎ A person can ask Allah for anything in their prayers, except for forbidden requests, such as asking for death due to hardship or requesting impossible things like Prophethood or direct revelation.
[This content is extracted from the book "Diya al-Islam fi Sharh al-Imam bi Ahadith al-Ahkam" by Sheikh Taqi al-Din Abi al-Fath, translated by Maulana Mahmood Ahmad Ghaznfar.]
