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 has reached the height of one or two lances, for it rises between the two horns of the Devil, and the infidels offer prayer for it (at that time). Then pray as much as you like, because the prayer is witnessed and recorded till the shadow of a lance be- comes equal to it. Then cease prayer, for at that time the Hell-fire is heated up and doors of Hell are opened.
When the sun declines, pray as much as you like, for the prayer is witnessed till you pray the afternoon prayer; then cease prayer till the sun sets, for it sets between the horns of the Devil, and (at that time) the infidels offer prayer for it. He narrated a lengthy tradition.
Abbas said: AbuSalam narrated this tradition in a similar manner from AbuUmamah. If I have made a mistake unintentionally, I beg pardon of Allah and repent to Him.
Narrated by Narrated Amr ibn Anbasah as-Sulami:
Context
In this narration, Amr ibn Anbasah asked the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) about the best time for supplication. The Prophet advised that the last part of the night is the most favorable time for prayer, emphasizing the spiritual significance of this time for worship and reflection.
Modern Application
This hadith encourages Muslims to take advantage of the quiet hours of the night for prayer and supplication. It highlights the importance of dedicating time for spiritual reflection and connection with Allah.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Prayer and Good Deeds because it emphasizes the significance of prayer during the last part of the night and encourages good deeds.
Establish prayer at the decline of the sun [from its meridian] until the darkness of the night and [also] the Qur'an of dawn. Indeed, the recitation of dawn is ever witnessed.
Indeed, your Lord knows, [O Muhammad], that you stand [in prayer] almost two thirds of the night or half of it or a third of it, and [so do] a group of those with you. And Allah determines [the extent of] the night and the day. He has known that you [Muslims] will not be able to do it and has turned to you in forgiveness, so recite what is easy [for you] of the Qur'an. He has known that there will be among you those who are ill and others traveling throughout the land seeking [something] of the bounty of Allah and others fighting for the cause of Allah. So recite what is easy from it and establish prayer and give zakah and loan Allah a goodly loan. And whatever good you put forward for yourselves - you will find it with Allah. It is better and greater in reward. And seek forgiveness of Allah. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.
And when you have completed the prayer, remember Allah standing, sitting, or [lying] on your sides. But when you become secure, re-establish [regular] prayer. Indeed, prayer has been decreed upon the believers a decree of specified times.
This hadith is #1278 from Sunan Abu Dawud, in the Book of Prayer (Kitab Al-Salat): Voluntary Prayers. It is graded Sahih and narrated by Narrated Amr ibn Anbasah as-Sulami:.