Sunan an-Nasa'i

Sunan an-Nasa'i 1619

With what Qiyam should begin
The Book of Qiyam Al-Lail (The Night Prayer) and Voluntary Prayers During the Day Search within the hadiths
Sunan an-Nasa'i 1619
Arabic hadith text
أَخْبَرَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، عَنِ الأَحْوَلِ، - يَعْنِي سُلَيْمَانَ بْنَ أَبِي مُسْلِمٍ - عَنْ طَاوُسٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، قَالَ كَانَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلمإِذَا قَامَ مِنَ اللَّيْلِ يَتَهَجَّدُ قَالَ ‏"‏ اللَّهُمَّ لَكَ الْحَمْدُ أَنْتَ نُورُ السَّمَوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ وَمَنْ فِيهِنَّ وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ أَنْتَ قَيَّامُ السَّمَوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ وَمَنْ فِيهِنَّ وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ أَنْتَ مَلِكُ السَّمَوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ وَمَنْ فِيهِنَّ وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ أَنْتَ حَقٌّ وَوَعْدُكَ حَقٌّ وَالْجَنَّةُ حَقٌّ وَالنَّارُ حَقٌّ وَالسَّاعَةُ حَقٌّ وَالنَّبِيُّونَ حَقٌّ وَمُحَمَّدٌ حَقٌّ لَكَ أَسْلَمْتُ وَعَلَيْكَ تَوَكَّلْتُ وَبِكَ آمَنْتُ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ ثُمَّ ذَكَرَ قُتَيْبَةُ كَلِمَةً مَعْنَاهَا ‏"‏ وَبِكَ خَاصَمْتُ وَإِلَيْكَ حَاكَمْتُ اغْفِرْ لِي مَا قَدَّمْتُ وَمَا أَخَّرْتُ وَمَا أَعْلَنْتُ أَنْتَ الْمُقَدِّمُ وَأَنْتَ الْمُؤَخِّرُ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ أَنْتَ وَلاَ حَوْلَ وَلاَ قُوَّةَ إِلاَّ بِاللَّهِ ‏"
Translation
It was narrated that Ibn 'Abbas said

"When the Prophet (ﷺ) got up at night to pray Tahajjud, he said: Allahumma, lakal-hamdu anta nurus-samawati wal-ardi wa man fihinna wa lakal-hamdu anta qayyamus-samawati wal ardi wa man fihinna wa lakal-hamdu, anta haqqun wa wa'duka haqqun wal jannatu haqqun wan-nuru haqqun wan-nabiyyuna haqqun wa Muhammadan haqqun, laka aslant wa 'alaika tawakkaltu wa bika amant. ( O Allah, to You be praise, You are the Light of the heavens and earth and whoever is in them. To You be praise, You are the Sustainer of the Heavens and the earth and whoever is in them. To You be praise, You are the Sovereign of the heavens and earth and whoever is in them. To You be praise; You are True, Your promise is true, Paradise is true, Hell is true, the Hour is true, the Prophets are true and Muhammad is true. To You have I submitted, in You I put my trust and in You I have believed.'" Then (one of the narrators) Qutaibah mentioned some words the meaning of which was: "Wa bika khasamtu wa ilaika hakamtu, ighfirli ma quadrate wa ma akhkhartu wa ma a'lantu antal-muqaddimu wa antal-mu'khkhir, la ilaha illa anta wa la hawla wa la quwwata illa billah (And with Your help I argue [with my opponents, the non-believers], and I take You as a judge [to judge between us]. Forgive me my past and future sins and those that I commit openly. You are the One who puts [some people] back and bring [others] forward. There is no God but You and there is no power and no strength except with Allah).'"

Commentary

Overview & Central Theme

This profound supplication, recorded in Sunan an-Nasa'i (1619) within The Book of Qiyam Al-Lail, encapsulates the essence of Tahajjud as a comprehensive act of worship blending praise, tawhid (monotheism), tawakkul (reliance), and repentance. The Prophet ﷺ begins his night prayer by extolling Allah as the Light, Sustainer, and Sovereign of all creation, establishing a spiritual framework where the believer recognizes Allah's absolute dominion before engaging in intimate dialogue. The central theme is the integration of theological affirmation (tasdiq) with practical submission (islam), transforming the night vigil into a holistic declaration of faith that encompasses past, present, and future—seeking forgiveness while affirming the Hereafter and the truth of all prophetic messages.

Context & Linguistic Insights

This du'a is reported by 'Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) as the opening invocation of the Prophet ﷺ when rising for Tahajjud, reflecting the sunnah of beginning night prayer with praise before supplication. Linguistically, "nur" (Light) signifies not only physical illumination but also the guiding, illuminating essence of Allah's existence and guidance; "qayyum" (Sustainer) denotes the Self-Subsisting One who maintains all creation without needing anything; "haqq" (Truth) is repeated to affirm the certainty of divine realities—Paradise, Hell, the Hour, and the Prophets. The phrase "wa bika khasamtu" (with You I argue) employs the root khasama, meaning to overcome in argument, indicating that the believer's ultimate proof against falsehood is Allah Himself. The closing "la hawla wa la quwwata illa billah" (no power or strength except with Allah) is a declaration of human limitation and total dependence on divine assistance, a cornerstone of Islamic spirituality.

Key Scholarly Insights & Legal Benefits

  • Jurisprudential ruling: This hadith establishes the recommended (mustahabb) practice of beginning optional night prayers with praise and supplication, though it is not obligatory—the essential validity of prayer remains intact without it, as confirmed by the consensus of the four schools.
  • Theological depth: The enumeration of Allah's attributes—Light, Sustainer, Sovereign—reinforces tawhid al-asma' wa al-sifat (unity of names and attributes), while the affirmation of all truths (Paradise, Hell, Hour, Prophets) serves as a comprehensive renewal of iman (faith) during the most virtuous time of worship.
  • Ethical principle: The sequence—praise, submission, trust, argument, judgment, forgiveness—demonstrates the etiquette of du'a: beginning with glorification, then expressing need, and finally seeking pardon, a pattern endorsed by classical scholars for all supplications.
"This supplication gathers the meanings of praise, glorification, and the affirmation of prophethood and the Last Day, and it is a model for the servant in how to address Allah with humility and comprehensive faith." — Imam Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali, Jami' al-'Ulum wa al-Hikam

Daily Life & Spiritual Application

For the contemporary Muslim, this hadith offers a blueprint for reviving the night prayer as a transformative spiritual practice. Begin by internalizing the attributes of Allah mentioned—reflecting on how He is the Light guiding your decisions, the Sustainer providing for your needs, and the Sovereign governing your affairs. Let this du'a be a shield against anxiety: when you affirm "wa 'alaika tawakkaltu" (in You I trust), you consciously release your worries to Allah. The phrase "anta haqqun" (You are Truth) anchors you amidst a world of falsehood, reminding you to align your actions with divine reality. Practically, memorize this supplication and recite it in your night prayers, but also adapt its spirit to your daily life—start your morning with praise, submit your plans to Allah, seek His forgiveness for past and future shortcomings, and conclude every endeavor with "la hawla wa la quwwata illa billah," acknowledging that all success comes solely from Him. This transforms Tahajjud from a ritual into a living conversation that permeates your entire existence, cultivating Ihsan—worshipping Allah as though you see Him, for He certainly sees you.