CHAPTER 1. The Tahajjud (prayer) at night [Tahajjud means optional Salât (prayers)] to be offered from the
middle to the last part of the night but before the compulsory morning Salât (prayer)

2:221 Narrated by Ibn Abbas

When the Prophet got up at night to offer the Tahajjud prayer, he used to say: (O Allah! All the praises are for you, You are the Holder of the Heavens and the Earth, And whatever is in them. All the praises are for You; You have the possession of the Heavens and the Earth And whatever is in them. All the praises are for You; You are the Light of the Heavens and the Earth And all the praises are for You; You are the King of the Heavens and the Earth; And all the praises are for You; You are the Truth and Your Promise is the truth, And to meet You is true, Your Word is the truth And Paradise is true And Hell is true And all the Prophets (Peace be upon them) are true; And Muhammad is true, And the Day of Resurrection is true. O Allah ! I surrender (my will) to You; I believe in You and depend on You. And repent to You, And with Your help I argue (with my opponents, the non-believers) And I take You as a judge (to judge between us). Please forgive me my previous And future sins; And whatever I concealed or revealed And You are the One who make (some people) forward And (some) backward. There is none to be worshipped but you . Sufyan said that ‘Abdul Karim Abu Umaiya added to the above, ‘Wala haula Wala quwata illa billah’ (There is neither might nor power except with Allah).

CHAPTER 2. The superiority of Tahajjud prayer (i.e. the night prayer).

2:222 Narrated by Salim’s father

In the life-time of the Prophet whosoever saw a dream would narrate it to Allah’s Apostle. I had a wish of seeing a dream to narrate it to Allah’s Apostle (p.b.u.h) I was a grown up boy and used to sleep in the Mosque in the life-time of the Prophet. I saw in the dream that two angels caught hold of me and took me to the Fire which was built all round like a built well and had two poles in it and the people in it were known to me. I started saying, “I seek refuge with Allah from the Fire.” Then I met another angel who told me not to be afraid. I narrated the dream to Hafsa who told it to Allah’s Apostle. The Prophet said, “Abdullah is a good man. I wish he prayed Tahajjud.” After that ‘Abdullah (i.e. Salim’s father) used to sleep but a little at night.

CHAPTER 3. Leaving the night prayer by a patient.

2:224 Narrated by Jundab

The Prophet became sick and did not get up (for Tahajjud prayer) for a night or two.

CHAPTER 4. The Prophet’s exhorting (the people) to Tahajjud and Nawâfil without making them compulsory.

2:227 Narrated by ‘Ali bin Abi Talib

One night Allah’s Apostle came to me and Fatima, the daughter of the Prophet and asked, “Won’t you pray (at night)?” I said, “O Allah’s Apostle! Our souls are in the hands of Allah and if He wants us to get up He will make us get up.” When I said that, he left us without saying anything and I heard that he was hitting his thigh and saying, “But man is more quarrelsome than anything.” (18.54)

2:228 Narrated by ‘Aisha

Allah’s Apostle used to give up a good deed, although he loved to do it, for fear that people might act on it and it might be made compulsory for them. The Prophet never prayed the Duha prayer, but I offer it.

CHAPTER 5. Standing of the Prophet [for the Salât (prayer)] at night till his feet used to be swollen (oedematous).

2:230 Narrated by Al-Mughira

The Prophet used to stand (in the prayer) or pray till both his feet or legs swelled. He was asked why (he offered such an unbearable prayer) and he said, “should I not be a thankful slave.”

CHAPTER 6. Sleeping in the last hours of the night.

2:231 Narrated by Abdullah bin ‘Amr bin Al-‘As

Allah’s Apostle told me, “The most beloved prayer to Allah is that of David and the most beloved fasts to Allah are those of David. He used to sleep for half of the night and then pray for one third of the night and again sleep for its sixth part and used to fast on alternate days.”

2:232 Narrated by Masruq

I asked ‘Aisha which deed was most loved by the Prophet. She said, “A deed done continuously.” I further asked, “When did he used to get up (in the night for the prayer).” She said, “He used to get up on hearing the crowing of a cock.”

2:233 Narrated by Al-Ashath

He (the Prophet (p.b.u.h) ) used to get up for the prayer on hearing the crowing of a cock.

2:34 Narrated by ‘Aisha

In my house he (Prophet (p.b.u.h) ) never passed the last hours of the night but sleeping.

CHAPTER 7. To prolong the standing posture in the Tahajjud prayer.

2:236 Narrated by Abu-Wa il

‘Abdullah said, “One night I offered the Tahajjud prayer with the Prophet and he kept on standing till an ill-thought came to me.” We said, “What was the ill-thought?” He said, “It was to sit down and leave the Prophet (standing).”

CHAPTER 8. How was the SaIât (prayer) of the Prophet and how many Rak’at, he used to offer at night?

2:239 Narrated by Ibn Abbas

The prayer of the Prophet used to be of thirteen Rakat, i.e. of the night prayer.

2:241 Narrated by ‘Aisha

The Prophet (p.b.u.h) used to offer thirteen Rakat of the night prayer and that included the Witr and two Rakat (Sunna) of the Fajr prayer.

CHAPTER 9. The waking up of the Prophet from his sleep for the night prayer and what (how much) was cancelled from the night prayer.

2:242 Narrated by Anas bin Malik

Sometimes Allah’s Apostle 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 through-out 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.

CHAPTER 10. Satan’s tying of knots at the back of the head if one does not offer the night prayer.

2:243 Narrated by Abu Huraira

Allah’s Apostle said, “Satan puts three knots at the back of the head of any of you if he is asleep. On every knot he reads and exhales the following words, ‘The night is long, so stay asleep.’ When one wakes up and remembers Allah, one knot is undone; and when one performs ablution, the second knot is undone, and when one prays the third knot is undone and one gets up energetic with a good heart in the morning; otherwise one gets up lazy and with a mischievous heart.”

CHAPTER 11. If one sleeps and does not offer the Salat (prayer), Satan urinates in his ears.

2:245 Narrated by ‘Abdullah

A person was mentioned before the Prophet (p.b.u.h) and he was told that he had kept on sleeping till morning and had not got up for the prayer. The Prophet said, “Satan urinated in his ears.”

CHAPTER 12. Offering Salat (prayer) and invoking Allah in the last hours of the night.

2:246 Narrated by Abu Huraira

Allah’s Apostle (p.b.u.h) 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?”

CHAPTER 13. Sleeping in the first part of the night and getting up in its last part.

2:247 Narrated by 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 Muadh-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).”

CHAPTER 14. The Salat (prayer) of the Prophet , at night in Ramadân and in other months.

2:248 Narrated by Abu Salma bin ‘Abdur Rahman

I asked ‘Aisha, “How is the prayer of Allah’s Apostle during the month of Ramadan.” She said, “Allah’s Apostle never exceeded eleven Rakat in Ramadan or in other months; he used to offer four Rakat– do not ask me about their beauty and length, then four Rakat, do not ask me about their beauty and length, and then three Rakat.” Aisha further said, “I said, ‘O Allah’s Apostle! Do you sleep before offering the Witr prayer?’ He replied, ‘O ‘Aisha! My eyes sleep but my heart remains awake’!”

CHAPTER 15. It is disliked to exaggerate extremely in matters of worship.

2:251 Narrated by Anas bin Malik

Once the Prophet (p.b.u.h) entered the Mosque and saw a rope hanging in between its two pillars. He said, “What is this rope?” The people said, “This rope is for Zainab who, when she feels tired, holds it (to keep standing for the prayer.)” The Prophet said, “Don’t use it. Remove the rope. You should pray as long as you feel active, and when you get tired, sit down.”

CHAPTER 16. It is disliked for a person to leave offering the night prayer after he has been used to (offering) it.

2:252 Narrated by ‘Abdullah bin ‘Amr bin Al-‘As

Allah’s Apostle said to me, “O ‘Abdullah! Do not be like so and so who used to pray at night and then stopped the night prayer.”

CHAPTER 17. The superiority of one who wakes up at night and offers the Salat (prayer) with a loud voice.

2:253 Narrated by ‘Ubada bin As-Samit

The Prophet “Whoever gets up at night and says: — ‘La ilaha il-lallah Wahdahu la Sharika lahu Lahu-l-mulk, waLahu-l-hamd wahuwa ‘ala kullishai’in Qadir. Alhamdu lil-lahi wa subhanal-lahi wa la-ilaha il-lal-lah wa-l-lahu akbar wa la hawla Wala Quwata il-la-bil-lah.’ (None has the right to be worshipped but Allah. He is the Only One and has no partners . For Him is the Kingdom and all the praises are due for Him. He is Omnipotent. All the praises are for Allah. All the glories are for Allah. And none has the right to be worshipped but Allah, And Allah is Great And there is neither Might nor Power Except with Allah). And then says: — Allahumma, Ighfir li(O Allah! Forgive me). Or invokes (Allah), he will be responded to and if he performs ablution (and prays), his prayer will be accepted.”

2:254 Narrated by Abu Huraira

That once Allah’s Apostle (p.b.u.h) said, “Your brother, i.e. ‘Abdullah bin Rawaha does not say obscene (referring to his verses): Amongst us is Allah’s Apostle, who recites His Book when it dawns. He showed us the guidance, after we were blind. We believe that whatever he says will come true. And he spends his nights in such a way as his sides do not touch his bed. While the pagans were deeply asleep.”

2:255 Narrated by Nafi

Ibn ‘Umar said, “In the life-time of the Prophet I dreamt that a piece of silk cloth was in my hand and it flew with me to whichever part of Paradise I wanted. I also saw as if two persons (i.e. angels) came to me and wanted to take me to Hell. Then an angel met us and told me not to be afraid. He then told them to leave me. Hafsa narrated one of my dreams to the Prophet and the Prophet said, “Abdullah is a good man. Would that he offer the night prayer (Tahajjud)!” So after that day ‘Abdullah (bin ‘Umar) started offering Tahajjud. The companions of the Prophet (p.b.u.h) used to tell him their dreams that (Laila-tul-Qadr) was on the 27th of the month of Ramadan. The Prophet said, “I see that your dreams agree on the last ten nights of Ramadan and so whoever is in search of it should seek it in the last ten nights of Ramadan.”

CHAPTER 18. What is said about the Nawafil being prayed as two Rak’at followed by two Rak’at and so on.

2:263 Narrated by Jabir bin ‘Abdullah

The Prophet (p.b.u.h) used to teach us the way of doing Istikhara (Istikhara means to ask Allah to guide one to the right sort of action concerning any job or a deed), in all matters as he taught us the Suras of the Quran. He said, “If anyone of you thinks of doing any job he should offer a two Rakat prayer other than the compulsory ones and say (after the prayer): — ‘Allahumma inni astakhiruka bi’ilmika, Wa astaqdiruka bi-qudratika, Wa as’alaka min fadlika al-‘azlm Fa-innaka taqdiru Wala aqdiru, Wa ta’lamu Wala a’lamu, Wa anta ‘allamu l-ghuyub. Allahumma, in kunta ta’lam anna hadha-l-amra Khairun li fi dini wa ma’ashi wa’aqibati amri (or ‘ajili amri wa’ajilihi) Faqdirhu wa yas-sirhu li thumma barik li Fihi, Wa in kunta ta’lamu anna hadha-lamra shar-run li fi dini wa ma’ashi wa’aqibati amri (or fi’ajili amri wa ajilihi) Fasrifhu anni was-rifni anhu. Waqdir li al-khaira haithu kana Thumma ardini bihi.’ (O Allah! I ask guidance from Your knowledge, And Power from Your Might and I ask for Your great blessings. You are capable and I am not. You know and I do not and You know the unseen. O Allah! If You know that this job is good for my religion and my subsistence and in my Hereafter–(or said: If it is better for my present and later needs)–Then You ordain it for me and make it easy for me to get, And then bless me in it, and if You know that this job is harmful to me In my religion and subsistence and in the Hereafter–(or said: If it is worse for my present and later needs)–Then keep it away from me and let me be away from it. And ordain for me whatever is good for me, And make me satisfied with it). The Prophet added that then the person should name (mention) his need.

CHAPTER 19. Regularity of offering : two Rak’at (Sunna before) Fajr (dawn) prayer and whoever called them Nawdfil.

2:260 Narrated by ‘Aisha

The Prophet was never more regular and particular in offering any Nawafil than the two Rakat (Sunna) of the Fajr prayer.

CHAPTER 20. What to recite in two Rak’at (Sunna) of the Fajr prayer?

2:262 Narrated by ‘Aisha

The Prophet (p.b.u.h) used to make the two Rakat before the Fajr prayer so light that I would wonder whether he recited Al-Fatiha (or not).

CHAPTER 21. To offer Duha prayer when one is not travelling.

2:274 Narrated by Abu Huraira

My friend (the Prophet) advised me to do three things and I shall not leave them till I die, these are: To fast three days every month, to offer the Duha prayer, and to offer Witr before sleeping.

CHAPTER 22. To offer two Rak’at before the Zuhr prayer

2:276 Narrated by Aisha

The Prophet never missed four Rakat before the Zuhr prayer and two Rakat before the Fajr prayer.

CHAPTER 23. The (optional) Salat (prayer) before the Maghrib (compulsory) Salât (prayer).

2:277 Narrated by ‘Abdullah Al-Muzni

The Prophet said, “Pray before the Maghrib (compulsory) prayer.” He (said it thrice) and in the third time, he said, “Whoever wants to offer it can do so.” He said so because he did not like the people to take it as a tradition.