has been sent down of the truth, and that they not be like those who were given the Scripture before—so long a term passed over them that their hearts became hardened. (Qur’an 57:16)

The Exalted also says: “We sent after them Jesus, son of Mary, and We gave him the Gospel. We placed compassion and mercy in the hearts of those who followed him; but the monasticism they innovated—We did not prescribe it for them—only seeking Allah’s good pleasure. Yet they did not observe it as it should have been observed.” (Qur’an 57:27)

And He says: “Do not be like the woman who unravels her yarn after she has spun it strong.” (Qur’an 16:92)

And He says: “Worship your Lord until certainty (death) comes to you.” (Qur’an 15:99)

As for the hadiths relevant to this topic, among them are the following:

The report of ʿĀ’ishah: “The most beloved religious practice to him was that which its practitioner observed consistently.” This has already been cited in the preceding chapter.⦗1⦘

157 – ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb, may Allah be pleased with him, said: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “Whoever sleeps through his nightly portion (ḥizb) of Qur’an, or part of it, and then recites it between the dawn prayer and the noon prayer, it will be recorded for him as though he had recited it during the night.” Reported by Muslim.

158 – ʿAbd Allah ibn ʿAmr ibn al-ʿĀṣ, may Allah be pleased with them both, said: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “ʿAbd Allah, do not be like so-and-so; he used to stand for the night prayer but he abandoned the night prayer.” Agreed upon.

159 – ʿĀ’ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, said: When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ missed the night prayer because of illness or for any other reason, he would pray twelve rakʿahs during the day. Reported by Muslim.

16 – Chapter: The command to safeguard the Sunnah and observe its etiquette

Allah the Exalted says: “Whatever the Messenger gives you, take it, and whatever he forbids you, refrain from it.”