Which is better: performing the night vigil (qiyam al-layl) or attending to the needs of Muslims, if there isn't enough time to do both?

The virtue of night prayer (Qiyam al-Layl) and fulfilling people's needs is immense, and combining them is superior. If combining them is not possible, then an act whose benefit extends to others is better than one whose benefit is confined to the doer, such as striving for orphans and the needy, because it benefits others, whereas the benefit of night prayer is limited to the one performing it. Among the proofs for this is the Prophet's (peace and blessings be upon him) saying: "That I walk with a brother to fulfill his need is dearer to me than secluding myself in this mosque — meaning the Mosque of Madinah — for a month."