The Noise In The 

Night!

It was a cold, winter’s night when Qasim awoke in his bed. His room was dark but he was sure that he had heard a sound. He glanced at the clock by his bedside. It was two o ‘clock in the morning. Qasim convinced himself that he had probably imagined the noise. He closed his eyes and slowly began drifting off to sleep again.

Suddenly, he heard the noise again. It sounded like someone creeping along the passage outside his room. Who could be creeping around the house this time of the night? he wondered. What if it was a burglar?   Qasim whimpered in fear and pulled the duvet over his head. His heart began beating faster and faster and he felt very scared.

He then heard the noise again but this time, he realized that there was something very familiar about the sound. It sounded just like those squeaky sandals his mother wore in the house. He sighed with relief as he realized that there was no burglar in the house, it was only his mother. What was she doing walking around the house in the middle of the night? he wondered. He got out of bed, put on his slippers and went to investigate.

He found to his surprise, both his parents in the room where they read salaah. His father was laying out the musallahs (prayer mats). “What are you doing?” Qasim asked?

“We are getting ready for salaah,” his father replied. “I’m sorry if we disturbed you.” Qaasim was still confused. “Why are you reading salaah now? Isn’t it much too early for Fajr Salaah,” he asked.

His father explained, “We actually getting ready to perform Tahajjud Salaah. When we wake up from our enjoyable sleep and leave our warm beds for Allah’s pleasure, to perform Tahajjud Salaah, there is such great reward. Allah Ta’ala accepts and answers the duas of those who pray to Allah, at this part of the night. It is a really special time to ask Allah Ta’ala for forgiveness and for anything else that we want in this world.”

Qaasim smiled. He had lots of things to make dua for. “Can I read too? he asked.

“Yes, of course,” his mother replied. “Go and perform wudhu first.”

Qasim went to perform his wudhu and thereafter joined his parents in performing Tahajjud Salaah and making dua. He felt really fortunate to be making dua at this time of the night while most people were fast asleep. It was a really special feeling!