Night Prayers: Qiyām al-Layl, Nawāfil, Tarāwīḥ
The claim that the Quran mandates additional Salāt, such as Qiyām al-Layl, Nawāfil, Tarāwīḥ, or Tahajjud, is a widespread misconception. These additional prayers are not prescribed by the Quran.
The Quran Prescribes Only Three Salāt
The Quran explicitly prescribes three named Salāt:
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Salāt al-Fajr (Dawn Prayer):
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Salāt al-Wusṭā (Middle Prayer):
-Salāt al-ʿIshāʾ (Dusk Prayer):
These are the only three Salāt explicitly mentioned by name, with specific timings provided. Qiyām al-Layl, Nawāfil, Tarāwīḥ, or Tahajjud are not prescribed as Salāt in the Quran.
Temporary Command to the Prophet
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلۡمُزَّمِّلُ * قُمِ ٱلَّيۡلَ إِلَّا قَلِيلٗا * نِّصۡفَهُۥٓ أَوِ ٱنقُصۡ مِنۡهُ قَلِيلًا * أَوۡ زِدۡ عَلَيۡهِ وَرَتِّلِ ٱلۡقُرۡءَانَ تَرۡتِيلًا
Yā ayyuhā al-muzzammil, qumi al-layla illā qalīlā, nisfahu aw inqus minhu qalīlā, aw zid ʿalayhi wa-rattili al-Qurʾāna tartīlā.
O you enwrapped one, arise during the night, except a little, half of it, or reduce from it a little, or add to it a little, and recite the Quran at a measured pace.
(73:1-4)
Key Insights:
- Specific to the Prophet: The address begins with "O you who are wrapped up," clearly directing the command exclusively to Prophet Muhammad.
- Purpose of Rising at Night: The instruction emphasizes reciting the Quran rhythmically, not performing an additional Salāt. This was critical during the early period of revelation to perfect the delivery of the Quran.
- Temporary Nature: These verses reflect a specific need during the initial stages of the Prophet’s mission.
إِنَّ رَبَّكَ يَعۡلَمُ أَنَّكَ تَقُومُ أَدۡنَىٰ مِن ثُلُثَيِ ٱلَّيۡلِ وَنِصۡفَهُۥ وَثُلُثَهُۥ وَطَآئِفَةٞ مِّنَ ٱلَّذِينَ مَعَكَۚ وَٱللَّهُ يُقَدِّرُ ٱلَّيۡلَ وَٱلنَّهَارَۚ عَلِمَ أَن لَّن تُحۡصُوهُ فَتَابَ عَلَيۡكُمۡ فَٱقۡرَءُواْ مَا تَيَسَّرَ مِنَ ٱلۡقُرۡءَانِۚ
Inna rabbaka yaʿlamu annaka taqūmu adnā min thuluthayi al-layli wa-nisfahu wa-thuluthahu wa-ṭāʾifatun mina alladhīna maʿaka; wa-Allāhu yuqaddiru al-layla wa-an-nahār; ʿalima anna lan tuḥsūhu fa-tāba ʿalaykum fa-qraʾū mā tayassara mina al-Qurʾāni.
Indeed, your Lord knows that you stay up a little less than two-thirds of the night, and half of it, and one-third of it, along with a group among those with you. And God determines the night and the day. He knows that you will not be able to keep its count, so He has redeemed you. So read what you can of the Quran.
(73:20)
Key Insights:
- God's Mercy and Redemption:
- God acknowledges the difficulty and releases the Prophet and his companions from the burden of prolonged night worship, signaling it was not obligatory.
- Focus on Quran Recitation:
- The instruction to "recite what you can of the Quran" reaffirms that the practice was about learning and delivering the Quran, not establishing an additional Salāt.
- Core Obligations Mentioned: -The verse later lists the essential practices: observing the Salāt, giving Zakāt, and other acts of worship. No mention is made of additional night prayers like Qiyām al-Layl or Tarāwīḥ.
Prophet Muhammad’s Adherence to the Quran Alone
قُلۡ إِنَّمَآ أَتَّبِعُ مَا يُوحَىٰٓ إِلَيَّ مِن رَّبِّيۖ
Qul innamā attabiʿu mā yūḥā ilayya min rabbī.
Say, "I only follow what is inspired to me from my Lord."
(7:203)
The Prophet adhered strictly to the Quran’s instructions. Additional practices, such as Tarāwīḥ, attributed to him through non-Quranic sources, have no basis in the Quran.
Conclusion
1.Three Prescribed Salāt: The Quran explicitly names only three Salāt: Fajr, Wusṭā, and ʿIshāʾ.
2.No Command for Additional Salāt: Verses in Sūrah al-Muzzammil refer to temporary instructions for the Prophet to recite the Quran during the night and do not mandate additional prayers for believers.
3.Releasing the Burden: Sūrah 73:20 confirms that prolonged night worship was not sustainable and was never intended to be obligatory.
4.Avoid Innovations: Practices such as Tarāwīḥ, Nawāfil, or Tahajjud have no Quranic basis and constitute un-Quranic innovations when declared obligatory.
Believers are encouraged to follow the Quran's clear guidance and avoid introducing practices that lack Quranic authorization.