Abrar Omeish describes the power of qiyam, some best practices, and how we can make this beautiful prayer a part of our routine.

What is Qiyam al-Layl

Qiyam (or Qiyam al-Layl) is the voluntary prayer that is offered in the middle of the night, anytime between the evening prayer (isha) until dawn.

The purpose of prayer

In Surah al-Baqarah, verse 153 Allah SWT advises us to seek help in patience and in prayer. The kind of help that is to be found is mentioned in Surah Ash-Shurah where Allah SWT addresses the Prophet ﷺ and says, "have we not expanded your chest and relieved from you this burden which weighed so heavily on your back and elevated your status?" Allah then says "so, surely with hardship comes ease, surely with hardship comes ease".

Start with 10 verses

There is a connection between prayer and a sense of purpose and fulfilment that can be cultivated by praying in the middle of the night. Here are some ways that we can start developing this habit, beginning by reading just 10 verses at night.