Information for "SunanAbuDawoud-017-001-24690"

Narrated Aisha; Ummul Muminin: Zurarah Ibn Awuf a said that Aisha was asked about the midnight prayer of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. She said: He used to offer his night prayer in congregation and then return to his family in his house and pray four rakahs. Then he would go to his bed and sleep; but the water for his ablution was placed covered near his head and his tooth-stick was also kept there until Allah awakened him at night. He then used the tooth-stick; performed ablution perfectly then came to the place of prayer and would pray eight rakahs; in which he would recite Surah AlFatihah; and a surah from the Quran as Allah willed. He would not sit during any of them but sit after the eighth rakah; and would not utter the salutation; but recite the Quran during the ninth rakah. Then he would sit and supplicate as long as Allah willed; and beg Him and devote his attention to Him; He would utter the salutation once in such a loud voice that the inmates of the house were almost awakened by his loud salutation. He would then recite Surah AlFatihah while sitting; bow while sitting; and then recite the Quran during the second rakah; and would bow and prostrate while sitting. He would supplicate Allah as long as He willed; then utter the salutation and turn away. This amount of prayer of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ continued till he put a weight. During that period he retrenched two rakahs from nine and began to pray six and seven rakahs standing and two rakahs sitting. This continued till he died.