"I prayed with the Prophet (ﷺ) one night. He started to recite Al-Baqarah and I thought, 'he will bow when he reaches one hundred,' but he carried on. I thought, 'he is going to recite the whole surah in one rak'ah,' but he carried on. He started to recite An-Nisa' and recited (the whole surah), then he started to recite Al Imran and recited (the whole surah), reciting slowly. When he reached a verse that spoke of glorifying Allah (SWT), he glorified Him. When he reached a verse that spoke of supplication, he made supplication. When he reached a verse that spoke of seeking refuge with Allah, he sought refuge with Him. Then he bowed and said: 'Subhana Rabbiyal-Azim.(Glory be to my Lord Almighty)', and he bowed for almost as long as he had stood. Then he raised his head and said: 'Sami Allahu liman hamidah (Allah hears those who praise Him)', and he stood for almost as long as he had bowed. Then he prostrated and started to say: Subhana Rabbiyal-'Ala (Glory be to my Lord Most High),' and he prostrated for almost as long as he had bowed.'"
Narrated by It was narrated that Hudhaifah said:
Context
Hudhaifah recounts a night prayer experience with the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), where he observed the length and method of the Prophet's recitation and movements. The Prophet's deliberate pace and the equal duration of standing, bowing, and prostrating emphasize the importance of mindfulness and reverence in prayer.
Modern Application
In voluntary prayers, we can adopt a similar approach to our recitation and movements, ensuring that we are present and focused during our worship. This mindfulness can deepen our spiritual connection and enhance our prayer experience.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Prayer and Night Prayer (Tahajjud) because it illustrates the Prophet's methodical approach to prayer during the night, emphasizing the significance of mindfulness in worship.
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.
This hadith is #1669 from Sunan an-Nasa'i, in the Book of The Book of Qiyam Al-Lail (The Night Prayer) and Voluntary Prayers During the Day. It is graded Sahih and narrated by It was narrated that Hudhaifah said:.