Is it true that Allah only accepts prayers performed after waking up from sleep, and that some prayers are thrown back in the faces of their performers even if they complete them, based on the saying: "If a servant performs ablution well, then stands for prayer and perfects its bowing, prostration, and recitation, the prayer says to him: 'May Allah preserve you as you preserved me,' then it ascends to the sky with light and radiance, and the gates of heaven are opened for it until it reaches Allah the Almighty and intercedes for its performer. But if he neglects its ablution, bowing, prostration, and recitation, the prayer says to him: 'May Allah neglect you as you neglected me,' then it ascends to the sky covered in darkness, and the gates of heaven are closed before it, then it is folded up like a worn-out garment and thrown back in the face of its performer"?
The acceptance of prayer is an unseen matter known only to Allah, and no one can ascertain it. As for the night prayer (Salat al-Layl), if a Muslim wakes up and recites the remembrance (dhikr) transmitted from the Prophet (peace be upon him), then performs ablution (wudu') and prays, his prayer will be accepted with certain, not probable, responsiveness.
As for the hadith you mentioned, it is very weak. And whoever completes his prayer, Allah does not reject it; rather, He accepts it out of His grace and favor, for Allah Almighty says: ﴿So their Lord accepted their prayer, (saying), "Indeed, I will not allow to be lost the work of any doer among you, whether male or female."﴾ [Aal 'Imran: 195].
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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