Sura -17 [Al-Israa, Mecca 50]
The Quranic Text & Ali’s version:
وَمِنَ اللَّيْلِ
فَتَهَجَّدْ
بِهِ نَافِلَةً
لَّكَ ...
17:79. And pray in the small watches of the morning: (it would be) an additional prayer (or spiritual profit) for thee:
C2277. This is held to be addressed specially to the holy Prophet who usually prayed more than the five canonical prayers.
The Tahajjud was a prayer after midnight, in the small watches of the morning.
... عَسَى أَن يَبْعَثَكَ رَبُّكَ مَقَامًا مَّحْمُودًا ﴿٧٩﴾
soon will thy Lord raise thee to a station of Praise and Glory!
C2278. To the Prophet was to be assigned in the Hereafter the highest Post of Honour and Glory - the Maqam Mahmud, implying his excellence above all other Prophets.
The immediate reference may be to the hope that the Makkan persecution will soon be over and the glorious work in Madinah will begin. (R).
Asad’s Version:
17: 79
Asad And rise from your sleep and pray during part of the night (as well), as a free offering from you, your Sustainer may well raise you to a glorious station.
Yusuf Ali And pray in the small watches of the morning: (it would be) an additional prayer (or spiritual profit) for thee: soon will thy Lord raise thee to a station of Praise and Glory!
Pickthall And some part of the night awake for it, a largess for thee. It may be that thy Lord will raise thee to a praised estate.
[Asad note 97: Lit., “as a deed beyond that which is incumbent on you” (nafilatan laka)-………]
[Ali’s notes: 2277 This is held to be addressed specially to the holy Prophet who usually prayed more than the five canonical prayers. The Tahajjud was a prayer after midnight, in the small watches of the morning. (17.79)
2278 To the Prophet was to be assigned in the Hereafter the highest Post of Honour and Glory-the Maqam Mahmud, implying his excellence above all other Prophets. The immediate reference may be to the hope that the Makkan persecution will soon be over and the glorious work in Madinah will begin. (17.79)
[ Ruby’s notes: I think “maqam mahmud” may refer to reward or accomplishments both in this world and hereafter. ]