Research Made Audible: a Yaqeen Papers Podcast Tahajjud: Fuel for the Self and Society
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Feb 27, 2025 Dr. Tamara Gray, an expert in Islamic studies, dives deep into the transformative power of Tahajjud, the night prayer. She shares its personal benefits, likening the discipline of prayer to gardening, where patience and compassion grow. With inspiring personal anecdotes, Dr. Gray discusses how Tahajjud not only strengthens individual faith but also fosters societal change. She explores navigating cultural shifts in a post-pandemic world and offers practical advice on cultivating this nightly habit, especially during Ramadan.
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Tahajjud Defined And Distinguished
- Tahajjud (qiyam al-layl) is the most important voluntary prayer after obligatory prayers and can be prayed in various lengths and settings.
- Tahajjud specifically means praying after rising from sleep, while qiyam al-layl includes standing at night regardless of sleep.
Night Prayer Raises Spiritual Status
- The Quran links waking for night prayer with being raised to honored status and spiritual elevation.
- Early scholars taught that friendship with God is tied to one's commitment to night prayer.
Calm Response At Minnesota State Fair
- Tamara Gray recounts responding gently to a racist remark at the Minnesota State Fair after grounding herself in nightly prayer.
- Her calm reply avoided conflict and preserved the dignity of Muslims in public view.
