Texts from the Quran and from Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim about night prayer. This is a collection of texts, not a ruling and not a fatwa. For your own situation, ask a qualified scholar. All topics
From the Quran
وَمِنَ ٱلَّيْلِ فَتَهَجَّدْ بِهِۦ نَافِلَةًۭ لَّكَ عَسَىٰٓ أَن يَبْعَثَكَ رَبُّكَ مَقَامًۭا مَّحْمُودًۭا
And from [part of] the night, pray with it as additional [worship] for you; it is expected that your Lord will resurrect you to a praised station.
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلْمُزَّمِّلُ ﴿1﴾ قُمِ ٱلَّيْلَ إِلَّا قَلِيلًۭا ﴿2﴾ نِّصْفَهُۥٓ أَوِ ٱنقُصْ مِنْهُ قَلِيلًا ﴿3﴾ أَوْ زِدْ عَلَيْهِ وَرَتِّلِ ٱلْقُرْءَانَ تَرْتِيلًا ﴿4﴾
[1] O you who wraps himself [in clothing], [2] Arise [to pray] the night, except for a little – [3] Half of it – or subtract from it a little [4] Or add to it, and recite the Qur'an with measured recitation.
۞ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ يَعْلَمُ أَنَّكَ تَقُومُ أَدْنَىٰ مِن ثُلُثَىِ ٱلَّيْلِ وَنِصْفَهُۥ وَثُلُثَهُۥ وَطَآئِفَةٌۭ مِّنَ ٱلَّذِينَ مَعَكَ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ يُقَدِّرُ ٱلَّيْلَ وَٱلنَّهَارَ ۚ عَلِمَ أَن لَّن تُحْصُوهُ فَتَابَ عَلَيْكُمْ ۖ فَٱقْرَءُوا۟ مَا تَيَسَّرَ مِنَ ٱلْقُرْءَانِ ۚ عَلِمَ أَن سَيَكُونُ مِنكُم مَّرْضَىٰ ۙ وَءَاخَرُونَ يَضْرِبُونَ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ يَبْتَغُونَ مِن فَضْلِ ٱللَّهِ ۙ وَءَاخَرُونَ يُقَٰتِلُونَ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ ۖ فَٱقْرَءُوا۟ مَا تَيَسَّرَ مِنْهُ ۚ وَأَقِيمُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتُوا۟ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ وَأَقْرِضُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ قَرْضًا حَسَنًۭا ۚ وَمَا تُقَدِّمُوا۟ لِأَنفُسِكُم مِّنْ خَيْرٍۢ تَجِدُوهُ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ هُوَ خَيْرًۭا وَأَعْظَمَ أَجْرًۭا ۚ وَٱسْتَغْفِرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ ۖ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٌۭ رَّحِيمٌۢ
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.
وَٱلَّذِينَ يَبِيتُونَ لِرَبِّهِمْ سُجَّدًۭا وَقِيَٰمًۭا
And those who spend [part of] the night to their Lord prostrating and standing [in prayer]
From the hadith
أَفْضَلُ الصِّيَامِ بَعْدَ رَمَضَانَ شَهْرُ اللَّهِ الْمُحَرَّمُ وَأَفْضَلُ الصَّلاَةِ بَعْدَ الْفَرِيضَةِ صَلاَةُ اللَّيْلِ
Abu Haraira (Allah be pleased with him) reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying:The most excellent fast after Ramadan is God's month. al-Muharram, and the most excellent prayer after what is prescribed is prayer during the night
مَنْ قَامَ رَمَضَانَ إِيمَانًا وَاحْتِسَابًا غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ
Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying:He who observed prayer at night during Ramadan, because of faith and seeking his reward from Allah, his previous sins would be forgiven
يَنْزِلُ رَبُّنَا تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى كُلَّ لَيْلَةٍ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ الدُّنْيَا حِينَ يَبْقَى ثُلُثُ اللَّيْلِ الآخِرُ يَقُولُ مَنْ يَدْعُونِي فَأَسْتَجِيبَ لَهُ مَنْ يَسْأَلُنِي فَأُعْطِيَهُ مَنْ يَسْتَغْفِرُنِي فَأَغْفِرَ لَهُ
Narrated Abu Huraira:Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "Our Lord, the Blessed, the Superior, comes every night down on the nearest Heaven to us when the last third of the night remains, saying: "Is there anyone to invoke Me, so that I may respond to invocation? Is there anyone to ask Me, so that I may grant him his request? Is there anyone seeking My forgiveness, so that I may forgive him?
اجْعَلُوا آخِرَ صَلاَتِكُمْ بِاللَّيْلِ وِتْرًا
Narrated `Abdullah bin `Umar:The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Make witr as your last prayer at night
حَدَّثَنَا مُسَدَّدٌ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى، عَنْ شُعْبَةَ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي أَبُو جَمْرَةَ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ قَالَ كَانَ صَلاَةُ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ثَلاَثَ عَشْرَةَ رَكْعَةً. يَعْنِي بِاللَّيْلِ.
Narrated Ibn `Abbas:The prayer of the Prophet (ﷺ) used to be of thirteen rak`at, i.e. of the night prayer
وَحَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْمُثَنَّى، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْوَهَّابِ، – يَعْنِي الثَّقَفِيَّ – حَدَّثَنَا عُبَيْدُ اللَّهِ، عَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ، عَنْ أَبِي سَلَمَةَ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، أَنَّهَا قَالَتْ كَانَ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم حَصِيرٌ وَكَانَ يُحَجِّرُهُ مِنَ اللَّيْلِ فَيُصَلِّي فِيهِ فَجَعَلَ النَّاسُ يُصَلُّونَ بِصَلاَتِهِ وَيَبْسُطُهُ بِالنَّهَارِ فَثَابُوا ذَاتَ لَيْلَةٍ فَقَالَ " يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ عَلَيْكُمْ مِنَ الأَعْمَالِ مَا تُطِيقُونَ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ لاَ يَمَلُّ حَتَّى تَمَلُّوا وَإِنَّ أَحَبَّ الأَعْمَالِ إِلَى اللَّهِ مَا دُووِمَ عَلَيْهِ وَإِنْ قَلَّ " . وَكَانَ آلُ مُحَمَّدٍ صلى الله عليه وسلم إِذَا عَمِلُوا عَمَلاً أَثْبَتُوهُ .
A'isha reported that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) had a mat and he used it for making an apartment during the night and observed prayer in it, and the people began to pray with him, and he spread it (the mat) during the day time. The people crowded round him one night. He (the Holy Prophet) then said:O people, perform such acts as you are capable of doing, for Allah does not grow weary but you will get tired. The acts most pleasing to Allah are those which are done continuously, even if they are small. And it was the habit of the members of Muhammad's (ﷺ) household that whenever they did an act they did it continuously
لاَ يَحِلُّ لاِمْرَأَةٍ تُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الآخِرِ أَنْ تُسَافِرَ مَسِيرَةَ يَوْمٍ وَلَيْلَةٍ لَيْسَ مَعَهَا حُرْمَةٌ ". تَابَعَهُ يَحْيَى بْنُ أَبِي كَثِيرٍ وَسُهَيْلٌ وَمَالِكٌ عَنِ الْمَقْبُرِيِّ عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه.
Narrated Abu Huraira:The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "It is not permissible for a woman who believes in Allah and the Last Day to travel for one day and night except with a Mahram
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الْيَمَانِ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنَا شُعَيْبٌ، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي سَالِمٌ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عُمَرَ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ قَالَ رَأَيْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم إِذَا أَعْجَلَهُ السَّيْرُ فِي السَّفَرِ يُؤَخِّرُ صَلاَةَ الْمَغْرِبِ، حَتَّى يَجْمَعَ بَيْنَهَا وَبَيْنَ الْعِشَاءِ. قَالَ سَالِمٌ وَكَانَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ يَفْعَلُهُ إِذَا أَعْجَلَهُ السَّيْرُ، وَيُقِيمُ الْمَغْرِبَ فَيُصَلِّيهَا ثَلاَثًا، ثُمَّ يُسَلِّمُ، ثُمَّ قَلَّمَا يَلْبَثُ حَتَّى يُقِيمَ الْعِشَاءَ، فَيُصَلِّيهَا رَكْعَتَيْنِ، ثُمَّ يُسَلِّمُ وَلاَ يُسَبِّحُ بَيْنَهَا بِرَكْعَةٍ، وَلاَ بَعْدَ الْعِشَاءِ بِسَجْدَةٍ حَتَّى يَقُومَ مِنْ جَوْفِ اللَّيْلِ.
Narrated Az-Zuhri:Salim told me, "`Abdullah bin `Umar said, 'I saw Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) delaying the Maghrib prayer till he offered it along with the `Isha prayer whenever he was in a hurry during the journey.' " Salim said, "Abdullah bin `Umar used to do the same whenever he was in a hurry during the journey. After making the call for Iqama, for the Maghrib prayer he used to offer three rak`at and then perform Taslim. After waiting for a short while, he would pronounce the Iqama for the `Isha' prayer and offer two rak`at and perform Taslim. He never prayed any Nawafil in between the two prayers or after the `Isha' prayers till he got up in the middle of the night (for Tahajjud prayer)
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الْيَمَانِ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنَا شُعَيْبٌ، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي عُرْوَةُ، أَنَّ عَائِشَةَ ـ رضى الله عنها ـ أَخْبَرَتْهُ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم كَانَ يُصَلِّي إِحْدَى عَشْرَةَ رَكْعَةً، كَانَتْ تِلْكَ صَلاَتَهُ، يَسْجُدُ السَّجْدَةَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ قَدْرَ مَا يَقْرَأُ أَحَدُكُمْ خَمْسِينَ آيَةً قَبْلَ أَنْ يَرْفَعَ رَأْسَهُ، وَيَرْكَعُ رَكْعَتَيْنِ قَبْلَ صَلاَةِ الْفَجْرِ، ثُمَّ يَضْطَجِعُ عَلَى شِقِّهِ الأَيْمَنِ حَتَّى يَأْتِيَهُ الْمُنَادِي لِلصَّلاَةِ.
Narrated `Aisha:Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) used to offer eleven rak`at and that was his prayer. He used to prolong the prostration to such an extent that one could recite fifty verses (of the Qur'an) before he would lift his head. He used to pray two rak`at (Sunna) before the Fajr prayer and then used to lie down on his right side till the call-maker came and informed him about the prayer
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الْوَلِيدِ، حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ،. وَحَدَّثَنِي سُلَيْمَانُ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، عَنْ أَبِي إِسْحَاقَ، عَنِ الأَسْوَدِ، قَالَ سَأَلْتُ عَائِشَةَ ـ رضى الله عنها ـ كَيْفَ صَلاَةُ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم بِاللَّيْلِ قَالَتْ كَانَ يَنَامُ أَوَّلَهُ وَيَقُومُ آخِرَهُ، فَيُصَلِّي ثُمَّ يَرْجِعُ إِلَى فِرَاشِهِ، فَإِذَا أَذَّنَ الْمُؤَذِّنُ وَثَبَ، فَإِنْ كَانَ بِهِ حَاجَةٌ اغْتَسَلَ، وَإِلاَّ تَوَضَّأَ وَخَرَجَ.
Narrated Al-Aswad:I asked `Aisha "How is the night prayer of the Prophet?" She replied, "He used to sleep early at night, and get up in its last part to pray, and then return to his bed. When the Mu'adh-dhin pronounced the Adhan, he would get up. If he was in need of a bath he would take it; otherwise he would perform ablution and then go out (for the prayer)
حَدَّثَنَا مُسَدَّدٌ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، عَنْ عُبَيْدِ اللَّهِ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنَا نَافِعٌ، عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ قَالَ صَلَّيْتُ مَعَ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم سَجْدَتَيْنِ قَبْلَ الظُّهْرِ، وَسَجْدَتَيْنِ بَعْدَ الظُّهْرِ، وَسَجْدَتَيْنِ بَعْدَ الْمَغْرِبِ، وَسَجْدَتَيْنِ بَعْدَ الْعِشَاءِ، وَسَجْدَتَيْنِ بَعْدَ الْجُمُعَةِ، فَأَمَّا الْمَغْرِبُ وَالْعِشَاءُ فَفِي بَيْتِهِ. قَالَ ابْنُ أَبِي الزِّنَادِ عَنْ مُوسَى بْنِ عُقْبَةَ عَنْ نَافِعٍ بَعْدَ الْعِشَاءِ فِي أَهْلِهِ. تَابَعَهُ كَثِيرُ بْنُ فَرْقَدٍ وَأَيُّوبُ عَنْ نَافِعٍ. وَحَدَّثَتْنِي أُخْتِي، حَفْصَةُ أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم كَانَ يُصَلِّي سَجْدَتَيْنِ خَفِيفَتَيْنِ بَعْدَ مَا يَطْلُعُ الْفَجْرُ، وَكَانَتْ سَاعَةً لاَ أَدْخُلُ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِيهَا. تَابَعَهُ كَثِيرُ بْنُ فَرْقَدٍ وَأَيُّوبُ عَنْ نَافِعٍ. وَقَالَ ابْنُ أَبِي الزِّنَادِ عَنْ مُوسَى بْنِ عُقْبَةَ عَنْ نَافِعٍ بَعْدَ الْعِشَاءِ فِي أَهْلِهِ.
Narrated Ibn `Umar:I offered with the Prophet (ﷺ) two rak`at before the Zuhr and two rak`at after the Zuhr prayer; two rak`at after Maghrib, `Isha' and the Jumua prayers. Those of the Maghrib and `Isha' were offered in his house. My sister Hafsa told me that the Prophet (ﷺ) used to offer two light rak`at after dawn and it was the time when I never went to the Prophet
يَا عَائِشَةُ إِنَّ عَيْنَىَّ تَنَامَانِ وَلاَ يَنَامُ قَلْبِي
Abu Salama b. Abd al-Rahman asked 'A'isha about the (night) prayer of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) during the month of Ramadan. She said:The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) did not observe either in Ramadan or in other months more than eleven rak'ahs (of the night prayer). He (in the first instance) observed four rak'ahs. Ask not about their excellence and their length (i. e. these were matchless in perfection and length). He again observed four rak'ahs, and ask not about their excellence and their length. He would then observe three rak'ahs (of the Witr prayer). 'A'isha again said: I said: Messenger of Allah, do you sleep before observing the Witr prayer? He said: O 'A'isha, my eyes sleep but my heart does not sleep
حَدَّثَنِي هَنَّادُ بْنُ السَّرِيِّ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الأَحْوَصِ، عَنْ أَشْعَثَ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ مَسْرُوقٍ، قَالَ سَأَلْتُ عَائِشَةَ عَنْ عَمَلِ، رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَتْ كَانَ يُحِبُّ الدَّائِمَ . قَالَ قُلْتُ أَىَّ حِينٍ كَانَ يُصَلِّي فَقَالَتْ كَانَ إِذَا سَمِعَ الصَّارِخَ قَامَ فَصَلَّى .
Masruq is reported to have asked 'A'isha about the action (most pleasing to) the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). She said:He (the Holy Prophet) loved (that action) which one keeps on doing regularly. I said (to 'A'isha): When did he pray (at night)? She replied: When he heard the cock crow, he got up and observed prayer
وَحَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ يَحْيَى، أَخْبَرَنَا سُفْيَانُ بْنُ عُيَيْنَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي يَعْفُورٍ، – وَاسْمُهُ وَاقِدٌ وَلَقَبُهُ وَقْدَانُ – ح وَحَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، وَ أَبُو كُرَيْبٍ قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو مُعَاوِيَةَ، عَنِ الأَعْمَشِ، كِلاَهُمَا عَنْ مُسْلِمٍ، عَنْ مَسْرُوقٍ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، قَالَتْ مِنْ كُلِّ اللَّيْلِ قَدْ أَوْتَرَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَانْتَهَى وِتْرُهُ إِلَى السَّحَرِ .
A'isha reported:The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) observed the Witr prayer every night and he completed Witr at the time of dawn
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