وَٱلَّذِينَ يَبِيتُونَ لِرَبِّهِمْ سُجَّدًا وَقِيَـٰمًا 64
Translations
And those who spend [part of] the night to their Lord prostrating and standing [in prayer]
Transliteration
Wa-alladhīna yabītūna li-rabbihim sujjadan wa-qiyāmā
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the characteristics of the righteous servants of Allah who spend their nights in worship, alternating between prostration (sujud) and standing (qiyam) in prayer. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this refers to those who dedicate themselves to night prayers (tahajjud) and voluntary worship, demonstrating their sincere devotion and humility before their Lord. Al-Qurtubi emphasizes that this ayah highlights the balance between fear and hope in worship, as standing represents awe and respect, while prostration represents humility and submission.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Al-Furqan (The Criterion), a Meccan surah that describes the characteristics of the believers and servants of Allah. The broader context (verses 63-76) outlines the attributes of 'ibad al-Rahman (the servants of the Most Merciful), establishing a standard of righteousness during the early Islamic period when believers faced persecution and needed spiritual fortitude.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The best prayer after the obligatory prayers is the night prayer' (Sahih Muslim 1163). Additionally, Aisha reported that the Prophet would stand in night prayer until his feet became swollen, showing his dedication to qiyam al-layl (Sahih Bukhari 1143).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah inspires believers to dedicate time for voluntary night prayers as a means of drawing closer to Allah and strengthening their spiritual connection, while teaching that true worship requires consistent effort, humility, and a sincere heart devoted entirely to the Creator.
Related Ayahs
أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ يُجْزَوْنَ ٱلْغُرْفَةَ بِمَا صَبَرُوا۟ وَيُلَقَّوْنَ فِيهَا تَحِيَّةً وَسَلَـٰمًا
Those will be awarded the Chamber for what they patiently endured, and they will be received therein with greetings and [words of] peace,
وَمَآ أَرْسَلْنَـٰكَ إِلَّا مُبَشِّرًا وَنَذِيرًا
And We have not sent you, [O Muḥammad], except as a bringer of good tidings and a warner.
وَٱتَّخَذُوا۟ مِن دُونِهِۦٓ ءَالِهَةً لَّا يَخْلُقُونَ شَيْـًٔا وَهُمْ يُخْلَقُونَ وَلَا يَمْلِكُونَ لِأَنفُسِهِمْ ضَرًّا وَلَا نَفْعًا وَلَا يَمْلِكُونَ مَوْتًا وَلَا حَيَوٰةً وَلَا نُشُورًا
But they have taken besides Him gods which create nothing, while they are created, and possess not for themselves any harm or benefit and possess not [power to cause] death or life or resurrection.
وَمَآ أَرْسَلْنَا قَبْلَكَ مِنَ ٱلْمُرْسَلِينَ إِلَّآ إِنَّهُمْ لَيَأْكُلُونَ ٱلطَّعَامَ وَيَمْشُونَ فِى ٱلْأَسْوَاقِ ۗ وَجَعَلْنَا بَعْضَكُمْ لِبَعْضٍ فِتْنَةً أَتَصْبِرُونَ ۗ وَكَانَ رَبُّكَ بَصِيرًا
And We did not send before you, [O Muḥammad], any of the messengers except that they ate food and walked in the markets. And We have made some of you [people] as trial for others - will you have patience? And ever is your Lord, Seeing.