Musnad Ahmad 20575

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was asked: "At what time does the supplication find the greatest response?" He (ﷺ) replied, "A supplication made during the middle of the last part of the night and after the conclusion of the obligatory prayers." [At-Tirmidhi].

"‏جوف الليل الآخر ودبر الصلوات المكتوبات‏"

Narrated by Abu Umāmah + 3 other versions

The nearest the Lord to a servant is in the course of the last part of the night

"The nearest the Lord to a servant is in the course of the last part of the night. So, if you are able to be among those who remember Allah at that hour, do so."

"‏ أَقْرَبُ مَا يَكُونُ الرَّبُّ مِنَ الْعَبْدِ فِي جَوْفِ اللَّيْلِ الآخِرِ فَإِنِ اسْتَطَعْتَ أَنْ تَكُونَ مِمَّنْ يَذْكُرُ اللَّهَ فِي تِلْكَ السَّاعَةِ فَكُنْ ‏"

Narrated by Amr ibn ‘Abasah + 2 other versions Explained

I asked: Messenger of Allah, in which part of night the supplication is more likely to be accepted? He replied: In the last part: Pray as much as you like, for the prayer is attended by the angels and it is recorded till you offer the dawn prayer; then stop praying when the sun is rising till it…

جَوْفُ اللَّيْلِ الآخِرُ فَصَلِّ مَا شِئْتَ فَإِنَّ الصَّلاَةَ مَشْهُودَةٌ مَكْتُوبَةٌ حَتَّى تُصَلِّيَ الصُّبْحَ ثُمَّ أَقْصِرْ حَتَّى تَطْلُعَ الشَّمْسُ فَتَرْتَفِعَ قِيْسَ رُمْحٍ أَوْ رُمْحَيْنِ فَإِنَّهَا تَطْلُعُ…

Narrated by Amr ibn ‘Abasah

"I came to the Messenger of Allah, who became Muslim with you?' He said: 'Free men and slaves.' I said: 'Is there any moment which brings one closer to Allah than another?' He said: 'Yes, the last part of the night, so pray as much as you want until you pray Subh, then stop until the sun has risen…

"‏ نَعَمْ جَوْفُ اللَّيْلِ الآخِرُ فَصَلِّ مَا بَدَا لَكَ حَتَّى تُصَلِّيَ الصُّبْحَ ثُمَّ انْتَهِ حَتَّى تَطْلُعَ الشَّمْسُ وَمَا دَامَتْ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ وَقَالَ أَيُّوبُ فَمَا دَامَتْ ‏"‏ كَأَنَّهَا حَجَفَةٌ حَتَّى تَنْتَشِرَ…

Narrated by Amr ibn ‘Abasah + 3 other versions