I asked A'ishah about the voluntary prayers offered by the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). She replied: Before the noon prayer he would pray four rak'ahs in my house, then go out and lead the people in prayer, then return to my house and pray two rak'ahs. He would lead the people in the sunset prayer, then return to my house and pray two rak'ahs. Then he would lead the people in the night prayer, and enter my house and pray two rak'ahs. He would pray nine rak'ahs during the night, including witr (prayer). At night he would pray for a long time standing and for a long time sitting. When he recited the Qur'an while standing, he would bow and prostrate himself from the standing position, and when he recited while sitting, he would bow and prostrate himself from the sitting position, and when dawn came he prayed two rak'ahs, then he would come out and lead the people in the dawn prayer.
Narrated by Narrated Abd Allah b. Shaqiq:
Context
This narration from A'ishah details the voluntary prayers performed by the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). It describes his consistent practice of praying additional rak'ahs before and after the obligatory prayers, showcasing his dedication to worship. The hadith highlights the Prophet's (ﷺ) routine and the importance of voluntary prayers in enhancing one's spiritual connection.
Modern Application
In today's context, many Muslims strive to incorporate voluntary prayers into their daily routines, following the example set by the Prophet (ﷺ). These prayers serve as a means to deepen one's faith and provide an opportunity for personal reflection and connection with Allah.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Prayer and Prophetic Conduct because it outlines the Prophet's (ﷺ) practice of voluntary prayers, demonstrating his commitment to worship.
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.
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.
This hadith is #1252 from Sunan Abu Dawud, in the Book of Prayer (Kitab Al-Salat): Voluntary Prayers. It is graded Sahih and narrated by Narrated Abd Allah b. Shaqiq:.