Al-Insan: 26

"And from the night, prostrate to Him..."

"From the night," meaning a portion of it. "So prostrate," meaning pray to Him, the Almighty and Majestic. The prostration is used metaphorically for prayer, mentioning the part to signify the whole. Some construe this as referring to the Maghrib and Isha prayers. Its precedence and emphasis are due to the greater difficulty and sincerity inherent in night prayer. "And exalt Him for a long night," and perform Tahajjud (night prayer) for Him, the Exalted, for a long portion of the night. Thus, it is a command for Tahajjud according to the choice of some. The 'min' (from) indicates partiality (tab'id).

The origin of Tasbih (exaltation) is declaring [Allah] free from imperfection, and it is applied to all forms of verbal and physical worship. According to Ibn Zayd and others, this was obligatory and then abrogated, such that there is no obligation today except the five daily prayers. Others have said it remains definitive regarding the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him. Yet others have said it remains so absolutely, in the sense of being recommended (nadb). The delay of the adverbial phrase before the command is an indication that it is not obligatory, unlike what preceded it; the same applies to expressing it as Tasbih. However, there is a view against this.

Al-Tayyibi said: The closest interpretation in terms of the [Qur’anic] order is that when the Almighty forbade His beloved from obeying the sinner and the disbeliever, and urged him to be patient regarding their harm and their excess in hostility, He, the Glorified, intended to guide him to abandon them. Following this, He commanded him to immerse his times in worship, night and day, through all prayers without exception, and through Tasbih as much as he is able, following the words of the Almighty: "And We already know that your breast is distressed by what they say. So exalt [Allah] with praise of your Lord and be of those who prostrate." This is excellent.