Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Exalted, said to His Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم: "And during the night, pray Tahajjud beyond what is obligatory for you, so that your Lord عز وجل may raise you to a praised station" (Surah Al-Isra 17:79). Thus, the night prayer (Tahajjud) became an obligation upon the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم due to the command of Allah سبحانه وتعالى: 'And during the night, pray Tahajjud.' For others, however, it remains a Sunnah and a supererogatory act.