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wa-ṣbir li-ḥukmi rabbika fa-ʾinnaka bi-ʾaʿyuninā wa-sabbiḥ bi-ḥamdi rabbika ḥīna taqūmu
So submit patiently to the judgement of your Lord, for indeed you fare before Our eyes. And celebrate the praise of your Lord when you rise [at dawn],
— Ali Quli Qarai
Surah al-Tur - Verses 48-49
48. Therefore, wait patiently for the Decision of your Lord for indeed you are under Our Eyes and Protection. Glorify the Praises of your Lord when you get up from sleep.
49. And in the nighttime also glorify His Praises and at the setting of the stars.
In the twain blessed Verses, God Almighty addresses His Noble Prophet (S) and bids him to be patient against disbelievers who wrong him and persevere in the propagation of Divine Call despite the harms done to him by disbelievers, since he is protected by God Almighty. He is also bidden to wake up at daybreak when stars set and glorify the praises of the Lord. Although the Noble Prophet (S) is bidden to remember God Almighty at all times and glorify his Lord in the day and at night, but it is said that all Divine Injunctions addressed to the Noble Prophet (S) are applicable to the Muslim community, unless it is proven that they are particularly addressed to the Noble Prophet (S).
Thus, it is incumbent upon believers to not forget God Almighty at any time owing to their worldly preoccupations but to obey Divine Injunctions and abstain from committing any wrong. Many an exegete have interpreted:
"and in the nighttime also glorify His Praises"
as "night prayer" and maintain that:
"and at the setting of the stars"
refers to the two unite recommended prayer established at daybreak when stars disappear in daylight. It is narrated from Imam ‘Ali (as) that "at the setting of the stars" refers to the twain units of recommended daybreak prayer established before morning prayer when stars set.1 It is also narrated from the Noble Prophet (S):
"The two unit recommended prayers established in the morning and at night are far better for you than the world and worldly possessions." 2
It is worthy of note that worshipping and glorifying God Almighty in the heart of the night is quite different in terms of serenity and delight. May God Almighty bestow upon us the blessing of waking up early in the morning, praying silently to our Maker, and a prolonged life.
Footnotes