Inna nashi-ata allayli hiya ashaddu wat-an waaqwamu qeela (surah Muzammil: 6)

Tafseer Tafheem-ul-Quran by Syed Abu-al-A'la Maududi

(73:6) Surely getting up at night *6 is the best means of subduing the self *7 and is more suitable for uprightness in speech. *8

Inn naashi`atal laili hiya ashadddu wat anw wa aqwamu qeelaa

*6) About the meaning of the word nashi'at a!-/ail, as used in the original, the commentators and lexicographers have expressed four different viewpoints: (1) That nashi'at implies the person himself who rises at night; (2) that it implies the hours of night; (3) that it means the rising by night; and (4) that it does not only apply to the rising in the night but rising after having had some sleep, Hadrat `A`ishah and Mujahid have adopted this fourth viewpoint.
*7) The word ashaddu wat'an as used in the Text is so vast in meaning that it cannot be explained in any one sentence. Its one meaning is: As the rising for worship by night and standing up for a long tithe in the Prayer is against human nature and the self of tnan seeks ease and comfort at that time. this act is an exercise which is most effective in controlling and disciplining the self. The person who governs himself by this method and gains dominance over his body and mind becomes able to use his power in the way of God, can work more efficiently and firmly to make the message of true Faith prevail in the world. The second meaning is: This is a very effective means of producing harmony and concord between the heart and the tongue, for during these hours of the night none else intervenes between the servant and his God, and whatever man utters with his tongue in this state, is the very voice of his heart. The third meaning is: This is a very efficacious means of bringing about conformity between the exterior and the interior of man, , for the person who in the solitude of the night would abandon his comfort and ease and arise for worship, would do so only out of sincerity: there can be no tinge of display and hypocrisy in this. The fourth meaning is: As this worship is harder on man than the worship of the daytime, it develops steadfastness in him: he is enabled to walk in the path of God more firmly and can face and endure the hardships of that way with greater constancy and determination.
*8) Literally: "Makes the speech most upright and sound." But the purport is to say that at that tithe man can read the Qur'an with greater peace of mind, attention and understanding. lbn `Abbas has explained it thus: "That it is the most suitable time for man to ponder over the Qur'an well.' (Abu Da'ud).