statements are general. Ibn Kathir states that Abu Bakr had a special status among the Sahaba (companions of Muhammad). He helped all the people who sought his help and he was well known for this. On the eve of the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah (628 CE), when Abu Bakr showed his anger and chastised Urwa bin Masud, chief of the Thaqif tribe. Urwa told him, "Had I not been under an obligation to you, I would have answered you of the same king.” Special traits of Surat Al-Lail Many ahadith have been related concerning the spiritual benefits associated with Surat Al-Lail. Muhammad is reported to have said that the reward of reciting this surah is so much that the one who recites it will be pleased when he sees it in his Book of Deeds. His inspiration of good deeds (tawfiq) will also increase. If recited 15 times before sleeping, one will dream about what pleases him most. Reciting it in the I’sha salāt, carries the reward of completing a quarter of the Qur'an and is guaranteed that the prayers are accepted. The sixth Shia Imām, Ja’far as-Sādiq (d. 748) has said that the person who recites Sūrah Ash-Shams, Al-Lail, Ad-Dhuha and Al-Inshirah will, on the Day of Judgement, find all creatures of the earth testifying on his behalf and Allah will accept their testimony and give him a place in Jannah (Paradise). Recitation of this sūrah also leads to an increase in sustenance, courage and popularity amongst the people. Surat Al-Lail and the Imamate The Shiite perspective on certain verses in Surat Al-Lail is mentioned in the book, Imamate and Leadership by Mujtaba Musavi Lari. According to Shiite Muslims, the task of the Imam is guiding men and demonstrating to them the path that will lead them to happiness. That being the case, the only right path for selecting the Imam is the same as that which the Qur'an spells out for the prophets: “It is indeed incumbent on Us to guide mankind, for the kingdom of this world and the hereafter is Ours.” (92:11-12) Thus, just as Muhammad is appointed from Allāh, the Qur'anic verses point to the fact that appointment of the Imām also is from Allāh as the Imām's appointment is primarily concerned with the covenant of Allāh as well as with the function of guiding people to the right path. In this context Abū ‘Alī al-Ḥusayn