Introduction
Qiyam al-Layl, also known as Tahajjud, is a voluntary night prayer that is performed after Isha and before Fajr. This prayer is considered to be one of the most rewarding acts of worship in Islam. However, there is a debate among scholars about whether performing Qiyam al-Layl after Witr is permissible or not. In this article, we will explore this topic in detail and provide insights from different schools of thought.
What is Qiyam al-Layl?
Qiyam al-Layl is a voluntary prayer that is performed at night. It is also known as Tahajjud, which means "to wake up" in Arabic. This prayer is not obligatory, but it is highly recommended. In fact, it is considered to be one of the most rewarding acts of worship in Islam.
The time for Qiyam al-Layl starts after Isha prayer and ends at the time of Fajr prayer. It is recommended to perform this prayer in the last third of the night, which is the time when Allah descends to the lowest heaven and asks if there is anyone who seeks forgiveness or has a need that He can fulfill.
The minimum number of rak’ahs for Qiyam al-Layl is two, and the maximum number is eight. It is recommended to start with two rak’ahs and then increase the number as one becomes more accustomed to the prayer.
What is Witr?
Witr is a prayer that is performed after Isha prayer. It is considered to be one of the Sunnah Mu’akkadah prayers, which means that it is a highly recommended act of worship. The minimum number of rak’ahs for Witr is one, and the maximum number is eleven.
There is a difference of opinion among scholars about whether Witr should be performed as three rak’ahs or one rak’ah. The Hanafi school of thought recommends performing Witr as three rak’ahs, while the other three schools of thought recommend performing Witr as one rak’ah.
The Debate about Qiyam al-Layl après Witr
The debate about whether Qiyam al-Layl can be performed after Witr is a long-standing one. Some scholars argue that it is permissible to perform Qiyam al-Layl after Witr, while others believe that it is not allowed.
Those who argue that it is permissible to perform Qiyam al-Layl after Witr cite several hadiths to support their argument. For example, there is a hadith in which the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, "Whoever wishes to perform Witr with five rak’ahs, let him do so. Whoever wishes to perform Witr with three rak’ahs, let him do so. Whoever wishes to perform Witr with one rak’ah, let him do so. And whoever wishes to perform more than that, let him do so. And Qiyam al-Layl is to be performed between each two Witr prayers." (Sunan Abu Dawud)
This hadith indicates that Qiyam al-Layl can be performed after Witr. However, some scholars argue that the hadith is weak and cannot be used as evidence.
Those who argue that it is not permissible to perform Qiyam al-Layl after Witr cite several reasons to support their argument. Firstly, they argue that the time for Qiyam al-Layl is between Isha and Fajr prayers, and performing it after Witr would be going against the prescribed time for the prayer.
Secondly, they argue that Witr is the last prayer of the night, and performing Qiyam al-Layl after it would imply that the night has not ended yet. This would go against the Qur’anic verse that says, "And [by] the night when it covers with darkness" (Qur’an 92:1).
Finally, they argue that performing Qiyam al-Layl after Witr would not be in accordance with the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), as there is no evidence to suggest that he ever performed Qiyam al-Layl after Witr.
The Opinions of Different Schools of Thought
The four main schools of thought in Islam have different opinions on whether Qiyam al-Layl can be performed after Witr.
Hanafi School of Thought
The Hanafi school of thought allows Qiyam al-Layl after Witr, but only if one intends to sleep before performing the prayer. If one intends to stay awake after Witr, then Qiyam al-Layl should be performed before Witr.
Shafi’i School of Thought
The Shafi’i school of thought does not allow Qiyam al-Layl after Witr. According to them, the time for Qiyam al-Layl is between Isha and Fajr prayers, and performing it after Witr would go against the prescribed time for the prayer.
Maliki School of Thought
The Maliki school of thought allows Qiyam al-Layl after Witr, but only if it is performed in a separate session. This means that one should perform Witr, make intention for Qiyam al-Layl, sleep for a while, and then wake up to perform the prayer.
Hanbali School of Thought
The Hanbali school of thought does not allow Qiyam al-Layl after Witr. According to them, the time for Qiyam al-Layl is between Isha and Fajr prayers, and performing it after Witr would go against the prescribed time for the prayer.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the debate about whether Qiyam al-Layl can be performed after Witr is a long-standing one. While some scholars argue that it is permissible to perform Qiyam al-Layl after Witr, others believe that it is not allowed.
The opinions of the different schools of thought vary on this matter. The Hanafi and Maliki schools of thought allow Qiyam al-Layl after Witr under certain conditions, while the Shafi’i and Hanbali schools of thought do not allow it.
Ultimately, it is up to the individual to decide whether they want to perform Qiyam al-Layl after Witr or not. However, it is important to remember that the time for Qiyam al-Layl is between Isha and Fajr prayers, and performing it after Witr would go against the prescribed time for the prayer.
Note : Cet article n'est pas mis à jour régulièrement et peut contenir des informations obsolètes ainsi que des erreurs.
