The Prophet (ﷺ) got up at night and cleaned his teeth, then he prayed two rak'ahs, then he slept. Then he got up and cleaned his teeth, then he performed wudu and prayed two rak'ahs, until he had prayed six. Then he prayed witr with three rak'ahs, and prayed two rak'ahs.
Narrated by Sufyan narrated from Habib bin Abi Thabit, from Muhammad bin Ali, from his father, from his grandfather, that:
Context
In this hadith, the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) describes his nighttime routine of prayer, illustrating the importance of voluntary prayers (Tahajjud). He demonstrates a structured approach to worship, including cleanliness and the performance of multiple rak'ahs before concluding with witr. This practice serves as a model for Muslims seeking to enhance their spiritual connection through nightly devotion.
Modern Application
Incorporating voluntary prayers into one's nightly routine can foster a deeper spiritual connection and provide a moment of tranquility amidst daily chaos. This practice encourages mindfulness and reflection, helping individuals to unwind and reconnect with their faith before sleep.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Prayer because it emphasizes the significance of voluntary prayers as a means of seeking closeness to Allah.
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.
O you who have believed, when you rise to [perform] prayer, wash your faces and your forearms to the elbows and wipe over your heads and wash your feet to the ankles. And if you are in a state of janabah, then purify yourselves. But if you are ill or on a journey or one of you comes from the place of relieving himself or you have contacted women and do not find water, then seek clean earth and wipe over your faces and hands with it. Allah does not intend to make difficulty for you, but He intends to purify you and complete His favor upon you that you may be grateful.
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.
And when you have completed the prayer, remember Allah standing, sitting, or [lying] on your sides. But when you become secure, re-establish [regular] prayer. Indeed, prayer has been decreed upon the believers a decree of specified times.
This hadith is #1709 from Sunan an-Nasa'i, in the Book of The Book of Qiyam Al-Lail (The Night Prayer) and Voluntary Prayers During the Day and narrated by Sufyan narrated from Habib bin Abi Thabit, from Muhammad bin Ali, from his father, from his grandfather, that:.