In the Hadith, Allah the Exalted boasts to His angels— peace be upon them—regarding the servant when he rises for the late-night prayer (Tahajjud) on a cold night. He says: "Look at My servant; he has emerged from beneath his quilt and left the warmth and his beautiful wife to converse with Me through My words. I call you to witness that I have forgiven him."

Abdullah ibn Mas'ud—may Allah be pleased with him— used to rise for Tahajjud when eyes had stilled, and a buzzing like the buzzing of bees could be heard from him. He would remain as such until morning. It was once said to Bishr al-Hafi—peace be upon him: "Will you not rest for an hour during the night?" He replied: "The Messenger of Allah—Exalted be His mention—stood until his noble feet swelled and blood dripped from them, even though Allah, Mighty and Majestic, had forgiven his past and future sins. So how can I sleep when I do not know if Allah the Exalted has forgiven me a single sin?!"

Sufyan al-Thawri—may Allah be pleased with him—used to say: "Observe eating little, and you shall master the night prayer." And al-Fudayl ibn 'Iyad—may Allah be pleased with him—used to say: "It has reached us that Allah the Exalted says when He manifests (Yatajalla) during the night: 'Where are those who claimed My love during the day? Does not every lover desire seclusion with his beloved? Here I am now, overlooking My beloveds; they speak to Me upon Presence (Al-Hudur) and address Me upon Vision (Al-Mushahada). Tomorrow, I shall delight their eyes in My Paradise.'"