Tuesday 24 November 2015

Is there a hadith that prohibits sleeping before performing the night prayer and that prohibits talking after performing the night prayer?


A Brief Description of the Question: 
Is there a hadith that prohibits sleeping before performing the night prayer and that prohibits talking after performing the night prayer?
The Answer: 
There are some hadiths that mean: “The Prophet (pbuh) did not regard it appropriate to sleepbefore performing the night prayer and to talk after performing the night prayer.” (See Bukhari, Mawaqit 23; Muslim, Masajid 236 . See also Tirmidhi, Mawaqit 11; Nasai, Mawaqit 20; Ibn Majah, Salat 12;  Majmau’z-zawaid, 1/315).

The reason why it is not regarded appropriate to sleep before performing the night prayer is the risk of not being able to wake up on time for the prayer, nor performing the prayer in the recommended time and not performing the prayer in congregation. As it is stated in the hadiths, the virtue and importance of going to mosque for the morning and night prayers is more than the other prayers. Sleeping before the night prayer can cause bad effects like not going to mosque and even missing the night prayer. Imam Tahawi says it is permissible for someone to sleep before the night prayer if there is someone to wake him up.

The reason why it is not regarded appropriate to talk after performing the night prayer is the risk of not being able to wake up for the tahajjud prayer, which is very virtuous, and even the risk of not being able to wake up for the morning prayer due to sleeping late. Besides, those who stay up late, who do not sleep and rest properly at night cannot work efficiently during the day. However, what is mentioned in the hadith is not a prohibition; it is a warning against useless words, illegitimate entertainment and waste of time. Useful talks, religious talks, studying, entertaining people, talking to one’s wife and children, listening to the talks of righteous people, in short, being busy with the things that are regarded as nice and useful by our religion is not prohibited or condemned; on the contrary it is recommended. As a matter of fact, according to a narration, the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) himself addressed his Companions after leading the night prayer. (See Bukhari, Ilm 41, Mawaqit 20, 40; Muslim, Fadailu's-sahaba 217)

Accordingly, 

1. It is makrooh (abominable) to sleep before performing the night prayer if there is a risk of not being able to wake up or if there is nobody to wake one up.

2. It is makrooh to spend time with useless talks and illegitimate entertainment after performing the night prayer 

3. It is permissible to have useful talks, to entertain people and to talk with one’s wife and children after performing the night prayer.

4. It is not appropriate to stay up late if it prevents waking up for the tahajjud or morning prayer and working effectively the next day. 

5.
 Muslims should arrange their times in accordance with the times of prayers, try to perform each prayer on time and do everything on time.







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