An Inquiry Regarding Tahajjud

Hazrat Ali (ra) bin Abi Talib relates that the Holy Prophet (sa) visited him and his daughter, Hazrat Fatimah (ra), one night and enquired, “Do you both not pray?” Hazrat Ali (ra) submitted, “O Messenger (sa) of Allah, our lives are in the hands of God, thus He causes us to awaken from our sleep whenever He wills.” The Holy Prophet (sa) did not say anything in reply and returned.

In other words, the Holy Prophet (sa) enquired whether or not they offered the Tahajud prayer [predawn voluntary prayer]. Upon this, Hazrat Ali (ra) replied that if they did not wake up at the time of Tahajud then that was owing to the will of Allah. And whenever Allah willed for them to wake up at that time, then they would offer the Tahajud prayer. Upon this, the Holy Prophet (sa) remained silent and returned home. Hazrat Ali (ra) relates that when the Holy Prophet (sa) was returning from there, he heard him say whilst tapping his hand upon his thigh:

وَكَانَ‭ ‬الْاِنْسَانُ‭ ‬اَكْثَرَ‭ ‬شَيْءٍ‭ ‬جَدَلًا‬‬‬‬

That is, “But of all things, man is most contentious.” (Surah al-Kahf, Ch.16: V.55)

(Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Tahajud, Bab Tahrid al-Nabisa ala Qiyam al-Lail wa al-Nawafil, Hadith 1127)