كَانُوا قَلِيلًا مِنَ اللَّيْلِ مَا يَهْجَعُونَ وَبِالْأَسْحَارِ هُمْ يَسْتَغْفِرُونَ يَهْجَعُونَ comes from هَجَعَ, which means to calm, quiet, still or silence something, and it referred to night sleep because it stills all activity. The verse means they used to sleep a little of the night.
Key idea: little sleep due to devotion, not restlessness.Refers to the last hours of the night before Fajr (sunrise). A direct contrast is implied between the heedless described earlier and those who spend these pre‑dawn hours seeking forgiveness.
A contrasted group is preoccupied and heedless, consumed by distraction and by how wrong others are in comparison to themselves.
These people sleep little at night and spend the hours before dawn seeking forgiveness. Their self‑awareness of purpose and their relationship with Allah keeps them awake for prayer.
The first thought when they wake is their own mistakes and their need to turn to Him to seek forgiveness — even after less sleep and night worship — with no self‑conceit and no delusion.
When Allah describes the people of Taqwā, it is important to realise that Taqwā is for yourself whilst Iḥsān is for yourself and others. One natural result of Taqwā is becoming good to other people.
إِنَّا نَرَاكَ مِنَ الْمُحْسِنِينَ
The brothers said this seeking ease from him because Iḥsān implies being good to others.
Sometimes becoming more “religious” does not lead to better treatment of others — this highlights a void in Taqwā.
Sleep is reduced not for display but because purpose and awareness keep them awake for worship.
In the hours before dawn they seek forgiveness — a defining marker of their inner state.
On waking, awareness of one’s own mistakes and need to turn to Allah is foremost — without self‑conceit or delusion.
Genuine Taqwā naturally shows in better treatment of people; being harsh exposes a void in Taqwā.
The verse paints people whose nights are disciplined and whose dawns are penitent — a self‑aware devotion that refines character and relationships, away from the gaze of others.