The Arabic includes the chain of narration (sanad) and the collector's commentary; the English translation shows the Prophet's words only.
وَحَدَّثَنَا أَبُو عَامِرٍ الأَشْعَرِيُّ، وَأَبُو كُرَيْبٍ قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو أُسَامَةَ، عَنْ بُرَيْدٍ، عَنْ أَبِي بُرْدَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي مُوسَى، قَالَ كُنْتُ أَنَا وَأَصْحَابِي الَّذِينَ، قَدِمُوا مَعِي فِي السَّفِينَةِ نُزُولاً فِي بَقِيعِ بُطْحَانَ وَرَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم بِالْمَدِينَةِ فَكَانَ يَتَنَاوَبُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم عِنْدَ صَلاَةِ الْعِشَاءِ كُلَّ لَيْلَةٍ نَفَرٌ مِنْهُمْ قَالَ أَبُو مُوسَى فَوَافَقْنَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَنَا وَأَصْحَابِي وَلَهُ بَعْضُ الشُّغُلِ فِي أَمْرِهِ حَتَّى أَعْتَمَ بِالصَّلاَةِ حَتَّى ابْهَارَّ اللَّيْلُ ثُمَّ خَرَجَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَصَلَّى بِهِمْ فَلَمَّا قَضَى صَلاَتَهُ قَالَ لِمَنْ حَضَرَهُ " عَلَى رِسْلِكُمْ أُعْلِمُكُمْ وَأَبْشِرُوا أَنَّ مِنْ نِعْمَةِ اللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ أَنَّهُ لَيْسَ مِنَ النَّاسِ أَحَدٌ يُصَلِّي هَذِهِ السَّاعَةَ غَيْرُكُمْ " . أَوْ قَالَ " مَا صَلَّى هَذِهِ السَّاعَةَ أَحَدٌ غَيْرُكُمْ " . لاَ نَدْرِي أَىَّ الْكَلِمَتَيْنِ قَالَ قَالَ أَبُو مُوسَى فَرَجَعْنَا فَرِحِينَ بِمَا سَمِعْنَا مِنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم .
I and my companions who had sailed along with me in the boat landed with me in the valley of Buthan while the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was staying in Medina. A party of people amongst them went to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) every night at the time of the 'Isya' prayer turn by turn. Abu Musa said: (One night) we (I and my companions) went to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and he was occupied in some matter till there was a delay in prayer so much so that it was the middle of the night. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) then came out and led them (Musa's companions) in prayer. And when he had observed his prayer he said to the audience present: Take it easy, I am going to give you information and glad tidings that it is the blessing of Allah upon you for there is none among the people, except you, who prays at this hour (of the night), or he said: None except you observed prayer at this. (late) hour. He (i. e. the narrator) said: I am not sure which of these two sentences he actually uttered. Abu Musa, said: We came back happy for what we heard from the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ).
Narrated by Abu Musa reported:
Context
In this hadith, Abu Musa and his companions arrived in Medina and were eager to join the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) for the 'Isha prayer. They found him delayed due to other matters, and when he finally led them in prayer, he shared the special blessing that they were among the few who prayed at that late hour. This moment highlighted the significance of their devotion and the unique opportunity they had to connect with Allah during the night.
Modern Application
Today, this hadith encourages Muslims to engage in night prayers, such as Tahajjud, which can be a time of deep reflection and connection with Allah. Many find that praying at night, when the world is quiet, allows for a more focused and heartfelt worship experience.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Prayer and Night Prayer (Tahajjud) because it emphasizes the value of praying at night and the special status of those who do so.
And when you are among them and lead them in prayer, let a group of them stand [in prayer] with you and let them carry their arms. And when they have prostrated, let them be [in position] behind you and have the other group come forward which has not [yet] prayed and let them pray with you, taking precaution and carrying their arms. Those who disbelieve wish that you would neglect your weapons and your baggage so they could come down upon you in one [single] attack. But there is no blame upon you, if you are troubled by rain or are ill, for putting down your arms, but take precaution. Indeed, Allah has prepared for the disbelievers a humiliating punishment.
Indeed, your Lord knows, [O Muhammad], that you stand [in prayer] almost two thirds of the night or half of it or a third of it, and [so do] a group of those with you. And Allah determines [the extent of] the night and the day. He has known that you [Muslims] will not be able to do it and has turned to you in forgiveness, so recite what is easy [for you] of the Qur'an. He has known that there will be among you those who are ill and others traveling throughout the land seeking [something] of the bounty of Allah and others fighting for the cause of Allah. So recite what is easy from it and establish prayer and give zakah and loan Allah a goodly loan. And whatever good you put forward for yourselves - you will find it with Allah. It is better and greater in reward. And seek forgiveness of Allah. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.
Establish prayer at the decline of the sun [from its meridian] until the darkness of the night and [also] the Qur'an of dawn. Indeed, the recitation of dawn is ever witnessed.
Exalted is He who took His Servant by night from al-Masjid al-Haram to al-Masjid al-Aqsa, whose surroundings We have blessed, to show him of Our signs. Indeed, He is the Hearing, the Seeing.
This hadith is #1346 from Sahih Muslim, in the Book of The Book of Mosques and Places of Prayer. It is graded Sahih and narrated by Abu Musa reported:.