Hazrat Sheikh Moulana Muhammad Zakariyya Kandhelwi (rahmatullahi ‘alaih) once mentioned:
In the year 1338 A.H I performed my first Hajj. From that time onwards, I made it a habit to remain awake in ibaadat throughout the nights during the month of Ramadhaan. However, since the last 5 to 6 years, due to illnesses I was forced to discontinue this practice of remaining awake throughout the night. Hazrat Sheikh then mentioned: “I learnt this practice from the Arabs. It used to be the way of the Arabs in those days that during the month of Ramadhaan they remained awake in ibaadat throughout the night. Hence during our stay in Makkah Mukarramah in the month of Ramadhaan, every night after performing the taraweeh salaah we used to perform Umrah and other ibaadat till the time of Sehri. In the year 1344 A.H. when I was blessed with the opportunity to once again be present at the Haramain Shareefain, I found that things had changed and the shopping centres would remain open throughout the night, and during the day there would be complete silence.”
Hazrat Sheikh then said: Last year when I was present in the Haramain Shareefain I had come to know that the television entered many homes (in Makkah Mukarramah and Madinah Tayyibah) and the night passes in this way that the sound of the television can be heard. However despite all the attractions of the television (and the other attractions of the world), those who are sincere in their search for Allah Ta’ala will continue striving, and all these attractions will not distract them from their goal. (Suhbate baa Awliyaa pg. 31)
Source: Ihyaauddeen.co.za