How many hours did the Companions sleep if they performed Qiyam al-Layl all night, and did they sleep during the day, and what is the precise interpretation of His, the Almighty's, saying: "They used to sleep but little of the night"?

There is no specific record of the number of hours the Companions slept, but the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, forbade them from praying the entire night. He commanded them to give their bodies and eyes their due rights of sleep and rest, as neglecting this would harm oneself and lead to the neglect of other rights.

As for the verse, "They used to sleep but little of the night," (Qur'an 51:17) exegetes have differed on its interpretation, offering two views:

1. That "ma" (ما) is a negative particle, meaning: "They did not sleep little of the night," which implies that no night passed without them praying a part of it. 2. That "ma" (ما) is a مصدرية (masdariyya) particle, meaning: "Their sleep and slumber were little of the night." This implies that they slept only a small portion of the night and extended their night prayers until dawn.