The term "Shab Zendeh Dari" (night vigil) means staying awake during the night. Night vigil has various forms and also brings with it many effects and blessings.
What is Night Vigil (Shab Zendeh Dari)?
The word "tahajjud" in Arabic literally means “to wake up during the night.” However, in the context of the Qur’an and hadith, tahajjud refers to staying awake at night for the purpose of performing night prayers (Salat al-Layl) and worshipping God. A person who wakes up at night to perform this prayer is called a mutahajjed. Night vigil means staying awake at night, and it includes many acts such as performing night prayers, supplication, and spiritual invocation.
God praises those who keep night vigils so highly in the Qur’an that every Muslim desires to be among them. For example, He refers to them as people of piety and benevolence, saying:
“Indeed, the righteous will be amid gardens and springs, receiving what their Lord has given them. For they were, before that, doers of good. They used to sleep but little of the night.” (Surah Adh-Dhariyat 51:15–17)
Types of Night Vigil:
Staying awake at night remembering God
Reciting the Qur’an at night
Performing night prayers
Serving others during the night
Any night vigil done for the sake of pleasing God
Studying or seeking knowledge at night
Staying awake due to illness or pain
The Value and Virtue of Night Vigil:
Islamic verses and narrations show that among recommended acts of worship, nothing equals the merit of night vigil. Night worship is one of the closest means to attain nearness to God. The Qur’an considers it a sign of true faith and describes the passionate state of believers as follows:
“Their sides forsake their beds as they call upon their Lord in fear and hope, and they spend from what We have provided for them.” (Surah As-Sajdah 32:16)
The Blessings of Tahajjud and Night Worship:
Imam Sadiq (peace be upon him) said:
“The Prophet (PBUH) advised the Commander of the Faithful (Ali) and told him: ‘I recommend to you the night prayer, I recommend to you the night prayer, I recommend to you the night prayer.’”
In another narration, the Prophet said:
“The dignity of a man lies in his rising for night prayer, and his honor lies in his independence from others.”
He also stated:
“Whoever does not perform the night prayer is not one of us.”
Night worship carries immense benefits for both the individual and society. The Qur’an declares:
“No soul knows what delights of the eye are kept hidden for them as a reward for what they used to do.” (Surah As-Sajdah 32:17)
Imam Sadiq explained this verse by saying that no good deed lacks a mentioned reward in the Qur’an—except night prayer, whose reward is so immense that God has not disclosed it.
Etiquette and Benefits of Night Vigil:
Worship and devotion are the essence of night vigil, guided by sincerity and the aim of closeness to God. Everyone, regardless of status, can engage in it. The most common practices include:
Prayer
Praise and remembrance
Qur’an recitation
Supplication
Charitable giving at night
Guarding the borders of Islamic lands
All acts of worship in the Qur’an have declared rewards—except night worship. Its hidden reward indicates its special value. Night worship enhances spiritual presence and helps fulfill one's divine duties more effectively.
Night Vigil's Benefits Include:
Attaining the praised station (maqam mahmood), interpreted as intercession
Forgiveness of sins
Increase in sustenance
Relief from worldly problems
Illumination of the grave
Comfort in the barzakh (afterlife)
Protection from Hell
Ease in crossing the Sirat (bridge over Hell)
Entry to Paradise and elevation of ranks therein
Given its importance, one should not neglect night vigil. If nightly worship is not always possible, at least observe it on spiritually significant nights such as:
Friday nights (night of forgiveness)
Mid-Sha'ban (second most virtuous night after Laylat al-Qadr)
Laylat al-Qadr (destiny of the year is determined)
Eid al-Fitr night (not less than Laylat al-Qadr)
Eid al-Adha night (whoever spends this night in devotion will have a heart that stays alive on the Day when hearts die)
Would you like a shorter version or summary for easier reading?
