رَحِمَ اللَّهُ رَجُلاً قَامَ مِنَ اللَّيْلِ فَصَلَّى وَأَيْقَظَ امْرَأَتَهُ فَإِنْ أَبَتْ رَشَّ فِي وَجْهِهَا الْمَاءَ، رَحِمَ اللَّهُ امْرَأَةً قَامَتْ مِنَ اللَّيْلِ فَصَلَّتْ وَأَيْقَظَتْ زَوْجَهَا فَإِنْ أَبَى رَشَّتْ فِي وَجْهِهِ الْمَاءَ.
May Allah have mercy on a man who gets up at night, prays, and wakes his wife. If she refuses, he sprinkles water on her face. May Allah have mercy on a woman who gets up at night, prays, and wakes her husband. If he refuses, she sprinkles water on his face.
RahimAllahu rajulan qama minal-layli fa-salla wa ayqaza imra'atahu, fa'in abatt-raṣṣa fi wajhihal-ma'. RahimAllahu imra'atan qamat minal-layli fa-sallat wa ayqazat zawjaha, fa'in aba rashshat fi wajhihil-ma'.
When to Read
This beautiful encouragement from the Prophet ﷺ isn't a specific dua to recite at a particular time, but rather a profound principle for encouraging family members to engage in night worship (Qiyam al-Layl). We can use the spirit of this hadith when we wish for our spouses and children to join us in praying after Isha, or even for waking them for Fajr prayer. It's about gentle encouragement and mutual support in devotion.
How to Read
The hadith emphasizes a gentle, loving approach. The 'sprinkling of water' is a metaphor for a mild, non-harsh wake-up call. Before resorting to this, always try soft words, a gentle touch, or a reminder of the beauty of night worship. The aim is to inspire, not to coerce. Praying for your family's sincere involvement in worship is key.
Virtues & Benefits
This hadith highlights the immense virtue of mutual encouragement in worship, particularly night prayer. It shows how a righteous spouse can be a source of immense good for the other, and vice versa. The Prophet ﷺ invoked Allah's mercy upon such couples, indicating the high reward for fostering a home environment where seeking Allah's pleasure through worship is a shared goal. It also promotes unity and shared spiritual growth within the family.
Source & Authentication
Narrated Abu Hurairah: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: 'RahimAllahu rajulan qama minal-layli fa-salla wa ayqaza imra'atahu, fa'in abatt-raṣṣa fi wajhihal-ma'. RahimAllahu imra'atan qamat minal-layli fa-sallat wa ayqazat zawjaha, fa'in aba rashshat fi wajhihil-ma'. (Sunan Abu Dawood 1309).