Surah Adh-Dhariyat — Verse 17

Word Meanings:

• Qalīlan (قَلِيلًا): A small portion or a little amount.
• Mina al-layl (مِّنَ اللَّيْلِ): Of the night.
• Yahjaʿūn (يَهْجَعُونَ): They sleep. The root word "hujūʿ" refers to deep sleep at night.

Explanation of the Verse:

This verse describes the beautiful character of the righteous and the people of Paradise. It tells us that they were not people who spent their nights in heedlessness or excessive sleep. Rather, they were people who devoted a significant portion of the night to worship, prayer, and remembrance of their Lord. They would sleep only a little, and then rise to stand before Allah in sincere devotion.

The verse highlights that their sleep was minimal — they would take only a brief rest, and then wake up to pray, supplicate, and seek closeness to Allah. Their nights were alive with worship, not wasted in slumber. This was their habit and their way of life: they prioritized their relationship with their Creator over the comfort of their beds.

This description serves as a powerful reminder for us: the night is not only for rest, but also for spiritual renewal. When the world is quiet and distractions fade, the believer finds a special intimacy with Allah in prayer and supplication. The righteous understood that the sweetness of worship far exceeds the sweetness of sleep, and they willingly sacrificed their rest for the sake of their Lord.

A Call to Action:

Dear Muslim, reflect on this verse and ask yourself: How much of my night is devoted to Allah? The righteous were not angels — they were human beings like us, with responsibilities, families, and daily struggles. Yet they made time for Allah in the depths of the night. If they could do it, so can you.

Start small: pray two units of prayer before Fajr, or make a short duʿā before sleeping, or wake up a few minutes before dawn to seek forgiveness. Allah loves the one who strives, even if it is little. The doors of mercy are open, and the night is a precious gift — do not let it pass without connecting with your Lord. Let the example of these righteous people inspire you to transform your nights into moments of light, peace, and closeness to Allah.