One night, after the people had gone to sleep, I passed by Imām Mālik bin Anas رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه. I saw that he was standing in prayer. After reciting Surah al-Fātiḥah, he رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه began to recite Surah al-Takāthur, and when he رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه reached this verse:   

ثُمَّ لَتُسۡـَٔلُنَّ یَوۡمَئِذٍ عَنِ النَّعِیۡمِ (۸)

Then indeed, on that Day, you will definitely be questioned regarding the bounties (of Allah).^[1]

He رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه cried for a long time. I stood there and listened to his recitation. He رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه wept incessantly and repeated this verse until the light of dawn appeared. Then, he رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه performed rukūʿ. I headed towards my home. When I came into the Masjid after completing wudu, I saw a gathering. People were sitting around him in a circle, and he رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه had a beautiful radiance on his noble face.

Sayyidunā Muhammad bin Khālid رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه said:

Whenever I looked at the face of Imām Mālik رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه, I saw the signs of the [people who feared the] Afterlife. Whenever he spoke, I knew it was the truth.            

Sayyidunā Abū Muṣʿab رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه has stated:

Imām Mālik رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه used to bow and prostrate for a long time in one part of the night. When he رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه used to stand in prayer, he رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه would appear to be like dry wood. When he رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه was lashed, it was said to him,

‘Offer short Salah.’

‘The deed for Allah should be done with perfection.’