Chapter X: Actions after Division of Times
HADIS: Thee Prophet said: When one of you sleeps, the devil ' knots three ties by his side and says to each tie: You have got a greater ' portion of night and so sleep. If he awakes and makes Zikr of God, one -tie is unloosened. If he prays, anothef*tie is unloosened. Then he rises up with pleasure or with displeasure. Mention was once made to the Prophet of a man who sleeps all the night and he said: The devil has passed urine in his ears. The Prophet said: If a man prays two rak'ats in mid night, it is better for him than the world and what it contains. Had it not beeh difficult for my followers, I would have made it compulsory for them. The Prophet said: There is a time at night which nobody shbuld miss. If he prays at that time, God accepts it. This happens in all nights. Mugirah-b-Shubah narrated that the Prophet used to stand so long in prayer that his feet became swollen. He was asked: What is it?
•God has forgiven all your past and future sins. He said: Shall I not be a grateful servant?
This shows that the additional worship is for additional rank as gratefulness brings additional rewards. God says: If you are grateful, I will given you additional rewards. The Prophet said: O Abu Hurairah, ifyou wish to get the mercy of God while you are alive and while you -are dead in grave, get up at night and pray and'seek the pleasure of God. ,
Vol-I THE BOOK OF WORSHIP 261
O Abu Hurairah, pray in a corner of your house. As the dwellers of the earth see the brightness of the stars, so the inmates of heaven see the light of your house. The Prophet said: You should pray at night as it was the habit of your earlier sages. Prayer at night brings one near God, his sins are forgiven, diseases of body are cured and faults are prevented.
The Prophet said: If a man prays at night though being prevailed upon by sleep, the rewards of prayers are also written for him. Sleep is an act of charity for him. The Prophet said to Abu Zarr: Don't you take luggage for your journey? He said: Yes He said: Why don't you take properties for the Resurrection Day? O Abu Zarr, shall I not inform you what will benefit you? He said: Yes, my parents be sacrificed to thee. He said: Fast in summer for resurrection and pray two rak'ats in the darkness of night for loneliness in grave, make pilgrimage for great works and gi ve charity to thee poor.