Indeed...

Indeed, those who wish to attain proximity to God forego a part of their sleep, and wake up in the middle of the night to communicate with their Lord. The late-night prayer is thus one of the most effective ways of achieving closeness to Allah [6] . Elevated Position: For the extraordinary spiritual effects of observing the late-night prayer, Allah raises the human being to a position of glory and praise.

Such a position is an elevated position with Allah, which only a few people can attain: “And keep vigil for a part of the night, as a supererogatory [devotion] for you. It may be that your Lord will raise you to a praiseworthy station [7] .” 4. Forgiveness of Sins: The Almighty God has promised to forgive the sins of those who sacrifice their sleep and comfort for the pleasure of observing the late-night prayer [8] . 5.

Brightn ess of faces: One who recites the late-night prayer shall be bestowed with the brightness of the face and the purity of the soul [9] . 6. Sound Health: Allah -out of His kindness- bestows on the one who observes the late-night prayer with sound health and a healthy body [10] . 7. Provision of sustenance: One of the benefits attributed to the observance of late-night prayer is the provision for the needs of its observants [11] .

How to observe the late-night prayer In the first instance, it is pertinent to say that the best-known time for the late-night prayer is from midnight to the Fajr (dawn) prayer. According to reports, the closer the late-night prayer is to the Fajr, the greater the reward. However, those who find it very difficult to observe it at this period may observe it at the beginning of the night. Generally, the prayer consists of 8 raka’at prayers of 2 sets each.

Then, followed by 2 raka’at (units) of the ‘Shaf’i’ and 1 rak’ah (1 unit) of ‘Witr’ prayers respectively [12] . Therefore, the total number of raka’at (units) to be observed at the late-night is eleven [13] . Meanwhile, for the first 8 raka’at of the late-night prayer, it is recommended to recite Surat al-Fatiha and Surat al-Ikhlas (chapter 112) in the first rak’ah (unit) while Surat al-Fatiha and Surat al-Kafirun (chapter 109) in the second rak’ah (unit).

However, any Surah (chapter) of the Qur’an could be recited after Surat al-Fatiha in the remaining 6 raka’at (units).