Sa’eed ibn ‘Abdul-‘Azeez used to stand the night in prayer, and when the time of Fajr entered he would renew his wudhoo and leave [home] for the masjid.
Category: Prayer
Engaging in seeking forgiveness
Every night, Wakee’ ibn al-Jarraah would not sleep until he had read a third of the Qur.aan. Then, during the last [third] of the night he would stand in prayer and recite the al-Mufassal. He would then sit and engage in seeking forgiveness (al-istighfaar) until the arrival of Fajr.
Dignifying and venerating the prayer
A man [once] said, from [the actions which] dignify and venerate the prayer is to arrive [for it] before the iqaamah.
Awake in prayer at night
I used to know Ahmad ibn Hanbal when he was [just] a little boy, and he would remain awake at night standing in prayer.
Sincere in his worship
If any member of the household entered upon ‘Abdur-Rahmaan ibn Abee Laylaa while he was [standing the night] praying, he would immediately jump into bed [out of humility, and remaining sincere in his worship to Allaah, and being far removed from showing off].
Leading the prayer
The time for prayer entered upon a group of scholars; So it was said to one of them to lead [the prayer], but he declined.
Answering the call to prayer
If the call to prayer was made and Ibraaheem ibn Maymoon al-Marwazee had raised his hammer, he would not strike with it (i.e. he would immediately stop work), [and instead go and answer the call to prayer].
Missing a prayer in congregation
Sa’eed ibn ‘Abdil-‘Azeez would weep if he missed a prayer in congregation (i.e. the obligatory congregational prayer).
The caravans of the pious and righteous have passed
Wake up O man! Night has passed, and day has arrived, and before you is a long journey and [yet you have] little provisions; The caravans of the pious and righteous have passed by and we have remained [behind].
Whoever is not concerned with the prayer
Whoever is not concerned with [preparing for] the prayer before its time, then he has not dignified or venerated it.