Parts of the night?

[*Mahzala*]

I recently came across a Hadeeth, and in all honesty, my first reading of such, which mentions the 'sixth' part of the night. I am somewhat confused as to figuring out the exact timing of this part. The third part is, without doubt, the hour before Fajr; Fajr itself becomes the fourth part and so the hour before sunrise becomes the fifth. If sunrise is after the fifth (the day's beginning/ending the night), then which part is the sixth part of the night? Any ideas?

[Zayam]

Mahzala-

Yes, sunrise is extra. For example it is: Fajr-Sunrise-Dhuhr-Asr-Maghrib-Isha

Here in Northern California for October 27th that would be: 06:27, 7:42, 13:01, 15:53, 18:18, 19:34.

I have the call for prayer programmed in to my computer.

Zayam

[*Mahzala*]

Thank you for your input Zayam. But I feel I may not have communicated my concern well enough. I am referring to the part of the night which is termed the sixth part. Basically, if we look into the timing of Qiyam-ul-Lail (standing in the night prayer) and Tahajjud, we find that the night is divided into six. The Hadeeth I read said that Rasulullah (peace be upon him) would sleep during the sixth part of the night. I am trying to figure out, according to the timing I have illustrated above, which part the sixth would be. Any ideas on this?

[Zayam]

Thank you for your input Zayam. But I feel I may not have communicated my concern well enough. I am referring to the part of the night which is termed the sixth part. Basically, if we look into the timing of Qiyam-ul-Lail (standing in the night prayer) and Tahajjud, we find that the night is divided into six. The Hadeeth I read said that Rasulullah (peace be upon him) would sleep during the sixth part of the night. I am trying to figure out, according to the timing I have illustrated above, which part the sixth would be. Any ideas on this?

Are you referring to the Night Prayer, and possibly the few hours before dawn?

I have been thinking about it. I have a picture in my heart, and that is of when you love someone. You don't want to sleep, you don't want to do anything, except to talk to this person, and listen to the beloved one, you do not want to miss one precious moment together. should it not be even stronger for us, and our love of Allah? Should not the desire to be in Allah's presence be stronger than anything else that we do?

Thank you my sister Mahzala, for reminding me, for waking up this desire. Your postings always bring some new blessing to me. Alhamduilah!

I shall continue to research your question, but am happy that you brought me to this place.

[*Mahzala*]

Nazo: I can re-search it for you, however, if I may ask, by agreeing, are you referring to what, its authenticity?

Thank you for your input Nazo. =)

[abubaker]

is that the hadith of Abdullah bin Amr

sahih Muslim Book 6, Number 2595:

‘Abdullah b. ‘Amr (Allah be pleased with both of them) reported Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: With Allah the best fasting is that of David and the best hiprayer is that of David (peace be upon him) for he slept half of the night and stood for prayer for the third of it and (then) slept the sixth part of it and he observed fast one day and broke on the other.

[*Mahzala*]

Nazo, here you go:

Sahih Al Bukhaari: Volume 2, Book 21, Number 231:

Narrated Abdullah bin 'Amr bin Al-'As:

Allah's Apostle told me, "The most beloved prayer to Allah is that of David and the most beloved fasts to Allah are those of David. He used to sleep for half of the night and then pray for one third of the night and again sleep for its sixth part and used to fast on alternate days."

Although this was done by Dawood (alayhissalaam) it is apparent from this Hadeeth that, as Rasulullah (peace be upon him) acknowledged it as good practice, he also made practice of it (as we know from other Ahadeeth). Also, I am aware this Hadeeth merely reinforces the fact that our religion does not enjoin hardship on us and so this Hadeeth accentuates moderation (which results in consistency) and stresses that self-affliction is disapproved.

So my question is, which part is the sixth par? After sunrise I assume, because ishraaq prayer is also mentioned in various Ahadeeth as practice of Rasulullah (peace be upon him).

[*Mahzala*]

is that the hadith of Abdullah bin Amr

sahih Muslim Book 6, Number 2595:

‘Abdullah b. ‘Amr (Allah be pleased with both of them) reported Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: With Allah the best fasting is that of David and the best hiprayer is that of David (peace be upon him) for he slept half of the night and stood for prayer for the third of it and (then) slept the sixth part of it and he observed fast one day and broke on the other.

Yes I was referring to this Hadeeth. Thank you.

[abubaker]

i tried to find a commentary on this hadith, but no results

[Laila]

Mazhala khorey, i do think its after sunrise. Because if sunrise is after the fifth....then sixth part of the night has to follow sunrise, right.

[*Mahzala*]

i tried to find a commentary on this hadith, but no results

The commentary goes as far as explaining that moderation is encouraged in matters of Deen.

Laila: It may not be as much of an issue as I have made it to seem, neither is it rocket science, but I too assume it is after sunrise, after ishraaq prayer. My misunderstanding lies in the fact that, that time is not quite 'night'. Khair.

[Laila]

Laila: It may not be as much of an issue as I have made it to seem, neither is it rocket science, but I too assume it is after sunrise, after ishraaq prayer. My misunderstanding lies in the fact that, that time is not quite 'night'. Khair.

Yeah, no worries. That would throw me off too.....and it only makes sense for it to follow sunrise.