Prayer at Night (Tahajjud)

19/11. Chapter:

The waking up of the Prophet ﷺ from his sleep for the night prayer and what (how much) was cancelled from the night prayer

And the Statement of Allah تعالى: “O you wrapped in garments (i.e. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ)! Stand (to pray) all night, except a little. Half of it, or a little less than that, or a little more; and recite the Qur'an (aloud) in a slow (pleasant tone and) style. Verily, We shall send down to you a weighty Word (i.e. obligations, laws). Verily, the rising by night (for Tahajjud prayer) is very hard and most potent and good for governing (oneself), and most suitable for (understanding) the Word (of Allah). Verily, there is for you by day prolonged occupation with ordinary duties.” (V.73:1-7) And Allah's Statement: “…He knows that you are unable to pray the whole night, so He has turned to you (in mercy). So, recite you of the Qur’an as much as may be easy for you. He knows that there will be some among you sick, others travelling through the land, seeking of Allah’s Bounty, yet others fighting in Allah’s Cause. So recite as much of the Qur’an as may be easy (for you), and perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat) and give Zakat, and lend to Allah, a goodly loan, and whatever good you send before you for yourselves, (i.e. Nawafil — non-obligatory acts of worship: prayers, charity, fasting, Hajj and Umra, etc.), you will certainly find it with Allah, better and greater in reward...” (V.73:20)

Sahih Bukhari : 1141

حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْعَزِيزِ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ، عَنْ حُمَيْدٍ، أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ أَنَسًا ـ رضى الله عنه ـ يَقُولُ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يُفْطِرُ مِنَ الشَّهْرِ حَتَّى نَظُنَّ أَنْ لاَ يَصُومَ مِنْهُ، وَيَصُومُ حَتَّى نَظُنَّ أَنْ لاَ يُفْطِرَ مِنْهُ شَيْئًا، وَكَانَ لاَ تَشَاءُ أَنْ تَرَاهُ مِنَ اللَّيْلِ مُصَلِّيًا إِلاَّ رَأَيْتَهُ وَلاَ نَائِمًا إِلاَّ رَأَيْتَهُ‏.‏ تَابَعَهُ سُلَيْمَانُ وَأَبُو خَالِدٍ الأَحْمَرُ عَنْ حُمَيْدٍ‏.‏

Narrated Anas bin Malik: Sometimes Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) would not fast (for so many days) that we thought that he would not fast that month and he sometimes used to fast (for so many days) that we thought he would not leave fasting throughout that month and (as regards his prayer and sleep at night), if you wanted to see him praying at night, you could see him praying and if you wanted to see him sleeping, you could see him sleeping.

Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 1141In-book reference : Book 19, Hadith 22USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 2, Book 21, Hadith 242

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