How the Prophet (PBUH) started his day
If we want to love Allah, we have been asked to follow one person. Emulate his character.
قُلْ إِن كُنتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ اللَّـهَ فَاتَّبِعُونِي يُحْبِبْكُمُ اللَّـهُ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ ۗ وَاللَّـهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
Say, [O Muhammad], “If you should love Allah, then follow me, [so] Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.” Sura Ali ‘Imran 31
What was his mornings like? What time did he wake up? What du’a did he say after waking up? How long did he stand for qiyam? In sujood? He is the one that we have been asked to follow – no one else.
For any act of worship to be acceptable to Allah and the person be rewarded for them, there are two conditions that must be met – the act of worship should be done solely for the sake of Allah (SWT).
Secondly, the action should be in accordance with the only way which has been prescribed for worship by the Prophet (PBUH). Deen has been perfected with his arrival, and there is nothing that can be added after that.
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو مَرْوَانَ، مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عُثْمَانَ الْعُثْمَانِيُّ حَدَّثَنَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ بْنُ سَعْدِ بْنِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ بْنِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ عَوْفٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنِ الْقَاسِمِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ قَالَ “ مَنْ أَحْدَثَ فِي أَمْرِنَا هَذَا مَا لَيْسَ مِنْهُ فَهُوَ رَدٌّ ” .
Aishah (RA) narrated that: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “Whoever innovates something in this matter of ours (i.e. Islam) that is not part of it, will have it rejected.” Sunan Ibn Majah
The Prophet (PBUH)’s night prayers
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).” Sahih al-Bukhari 1146
What du’a did the Prophet’s (PBUH) make on waking up?
حَدَّثَنَا عُبَيْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ مُعَاذٍ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبِي، حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ أَبِي السَّفَرِ، عَنْ أَبِي بَكْرِ بْنِ أَبِي مُوسَى، عَنِ الْبَرَاءِ، أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم كَانَ إِذَا أَخَذَ مَضْجَعَهُ قَالَ ” اللَّهُمَّ بِاسْمِكَ أَحْيَا وَبِاسْمِكَ أَمُوتُ ” . وَإِذَا اسْتَيْقَظَ قَالَ ” الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي أَحْيَانَا بَعْدَ مَا أَمَاتَنَا وَإِلَيْهِ النُّشُورُ ” .
Al-Bara’ reported that whenever Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) went to bed, he said: ” O Allah, it is with Thine Name that I live and it is with Thine Name that I die.” And when he got up he used to say:” Praise is due to Allah, Who gave us life after our death (sleep) and unto Thee is resurrection.” Sahih Muslim 2711
Another du’a
حَدَّثَنَا صَدَقَةُ بْنُ الْفَضْلِ، أَخْبَرَنَا الْوَلِيدُ، عَنِ الأَوْزَاعِيِّ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي عُمَيْرُ بْنُ هَانِئٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي جُنَادَةُ بْنُ أَبِي أُمَيَّةَ، حَدَّثَنِي عُبَادَةُ بْنُ الصَّامِتِ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ “ مَنْ تَعَارَّ مِنَ اللَّيْلِ فَقَالَ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَهُ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ، وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ، وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ. الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ، وَسُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ، وَلاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ، وَاللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، وَلاَ حَوْلَ وَلاَ قُوَّةَ إِلاَّ بِاللَّهِ. ثُمَّ قَالَ اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي. أَوْ دَعَا اسْتُجِيبَ، فَإِنْ تَوَضَّأَ وَصَلَّى قُبِلَتْ صَلاَتُهُ ”.
Narrated ‘Ubada bin As-Samit: The Prophet (PBUH) “Whoever gets up at night and says: — ‘La ilaha il-lallah Wahdahu la Sharika lahu Lahu-lmulk, waLahu-l-hamd wahuwa ‘ala kullishai’in Qadir. Al hamdu 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.” Sahih al-Bukhari 1154
Cleaning his mouth with siwak
حَدَّثَنَا حَفْصُ بْنُ عُمَرَ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا خَالِدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، عَنْ حُصَيْنٍ، عَنْ أَبِي وَائِلٍ، عَنْ حُذَيْفَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم كَانَ إِذَا قَامَ لِلتَّهَجُّدِ مِنَ اللَّيْلِ يَشُوصُ فَاهُ بِالسِّوَاكِ.
Narrated Hudhaifa: Whenever the Prophet (PBUH) got up for Tahajjud prayer he used to clean his mouth (and teeth) with Siwak. Sahih al-Bukhari 1136
Wudu
حَدَّثَنَا سَعِيدُ بْنُ أَبِي مَرْيَمَ، أَخْبَرَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ، أَخْبَرَنِي شَرِيكُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ أَبِي نَمِرٍ، عَنْ كُرَيْبٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، قَالَ بِتُّ فِي بَيْتِ مَيْمُونَةَ لَيْلَةً وَالنَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم عِنْدَهَا لأَنْظُرَ كَيْفَ صَلاَةُ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم بِاللَّيْلِ، فَتَحَدَّثَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم مَعَ أَهْلِهِ سَاعَةً ثُمَّ رَقَدَ، فَلَمَّا كَانَ ثُلُثُ اللَّيْلِ الآخِرُ أَوْ بَعْضُهُ قَعَدَ فَنَظَرَ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ فَقَرَأَ {إِنَّ فِي خَلْقِ السَّمَوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ} إِلَى قَوْلِهِ {لأُولِي الأَلْبَابِ} ثُمَّ قَامَ فَتَوَضَّأَ وَاسْتَنَّ، ثُمَّ صَلَّى إِحْدَى عَشْرَةَ رَكْعَةً، ثُمَّ أَذَّنَ بِلاَلٌ بِالصَّلاَةِ فَصَلَّى رَكْعَتَيْنِ، ثُمَّ خَرَجَ فَصَلَّى لِلنَّاسِ الصُّبْحَ.
Narrated Ibn `Abbas: Once I stayed overnight at the house of (my aunt ) Maimuna while the Prophet (PBUH) was with her, to see how was the night prayer of Allah s Apostle Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) talked to his wife for a while and then slept. When it was the last third of the night (or part of it), the Prophet (PBUH) got up and looked towards the sky and recited the Verse:– ‘Verily! In the creation of the Heavens and the Earth….there are indeed signs for the men of understanding.’ (3.190) Then He got up and performed the ablution, brushed his teeth and offered eleven rak`at. Then Bilal pronounced the Adhan whereupon the Prophet (PBUH) offered a two-rak`at (Sunna) prayer and went out to lead the people in Fajr (morning compulsory congregational prayer). Sahih al-Bukhari 7452
Du’a “before” Tahajjud
حَدَّثَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا سُلَيْمَانُ بْنُ أَبِي مُسْلِمٍ، عَنْ طَاوُسٍ، سَمِعَ ابْنَ عَبَّاسٍ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ قَالَ كَانَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم إِذَا قَامَ مِنَ اللَّيْلِ يَتَهَجَّدُ قَالَ ” اللَّهُمَّ لَكَ الْحَمْدُ أَنْتَ قَيِّمُ السَّمَوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ وَمَنْ فِيهِنَّ وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ، لَكَ مُلْكُ السَّمَوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ وَمَنْ فِيهِنَّ، وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ أَنْتَ نُورُ السَّمَوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ، وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ أَنْتَ الْحَقُّ، وَوَعْدُكَ الْحَقُّ، وَلِقَاؤُكَ حَقٌّ، وَقَوْلُكَ حَقٌّ، وَالْجَنَّةُ حَقٌّ، وَالنَّارُ حَقٌّ، وَالنَّبِيُّونَ حَقٌّ، وَمُحَمَّدٌ صلى الله عليه وسلم حَقٌّ، وَالسَّاعَةُ حَقٌّ، اللَّهُمَّ لَكَ أَسْلَمْتُ، وَبِكَ آمَنْتُ وَعَلَيْكَ تَوَكَّلْتُ، وَإِلَيْكَ أَنَبْتُ، وَبِكَ خَاصَمْتُ، وَإِلَيْكَ حَاكَمْتُ، فَاغْفِرْ لِي مَا قَدَّمْتُ وَمَا أَخَّرْتُ، وَمَا أَسْرَرْتُ وَمَا أَعْلَنْتُ، أَنْتَ الْمُقَدِّمُ وَأَنْتَ الْمُؤَخِّرُ، لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ أَنْتَ ـ أَوْ لاَ إِلَهَ غَيْرُكَ ـ ”. قَالَ سُفْيَانُ وَزَادَ عَبْدُ الْكَرِيمِ أَبُو أُمَيَّةَ ” وَلاَ حَوْلَ وَلاَ قُوَّةَ إِلاَّ بِاللَّهِ ”. قَالَ سُفْيَانُ قَالَ سُلَيْمَانُ بْنُ أَبِي مُسْلِمٍ سَمِعَهُ مِنْ طَاوُسٍ عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم.
Narrated Ibn `Abbas: When the Prophet (PBUH) got up at night to offer the Tahajjud prayer, he used to say: Allahumma lakal-hamd. Anta qaiyyimus-samawati wal-ard wa man fihinna. Walakal-hamd, Laka mulkus-samawati wal-ard wa man fihinna. Walakal-hamd, anta nurus-samawati wal-ard. Wa lakal-hamd, anta-l-haq wa wa’duka-lhaq, wa liqa’uka Haq, wa qauluka Haq, wal-jannatu Han wan-naru Haq wannabiyuna Haq. Wa Muhammadun, sallal-lahu’alaihi wasallam, Haq, was-sa’atu Haq. Allahumma aslamtu Laka wabika amantu, wa ‘Alaika tawakkaltu, wa ilaika anabtu wa bika khasamtu, wa ilaika hakamtu faghfir li ma qaddamtu wama akh-khartu wama as-rartu wama’a lantu, anta-l-muqaddim wa anta-l-mu akh-khir, la ilaha illa anta (or la ilaha ghairuka). (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). Sahih al-Bukhari 1120
Two rakah of prayer very quick before starting Tahajjud
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْعَلاءِ، قَالَ: حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو أُسَامَةَ، عَنْ هِشَامٍ يَعْنِي ابْنَ حَسَّانَ، عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ سِيرِينَ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم، قَالَ: إِذَا قَامَ أَحَدُكُمْ مِنَ اللَّيْلِ فَلْيَفْتَتِحْ صَلاتَهُ بِرَكْعَتَيْنِ خَفِيفَتَيْنِ.
Abu Hurayrah Radiyallahu ‘Anhu says that Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam said:
“When one awakens at night (for-tahajjud salaah), two short rak’ahs should be performed at the beginning” Ash-Shama’il Al-Muhammadiyah 267
Tahajjud Salah
Standing for long time: his feet used to get swollen
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو نُعَيْمٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا مِسْعَرٌ، عَنْ زِيَادٍ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ الْمُغِيرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ يَقُولُ إِنْ كَانَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم لَيَقُومُ لِيُصَلِّيَ حَتَّى تَرِمُ قَدَمَاهُ أَوْ سَاقَاهُ، فَيُقَالُ لَهُ فَيَقُولُ “ أَفَلاَ أَكُونُ عَبْدًا شَكُورًا ”.
Narrated Al-Mughira: The Prophet (PBUH) 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.” Sahih al-Bukhari 1130
Length of his salah: long recitation. Which surah did he recite?
وعن حذيفة رضي الله عنه، قال: صليت مع النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم ، ذات ليلة فافتتح البقرة، فقلت: يركع عند المائة، ثم مضى، فقلت: يصلي بها في ركعة، فمضي، فقلت: يركع بها، ثم افتتح النساء فقرأها، ثم افتتح آل عمران، فقرأها، يقرأ مترسلا. إذا مر بآية فيها تسبيح سبح، وإذا بسؤال سأل، وإذا مر بتعوذ تعوذ، ثم ركع، فجعل يقول: سبحان ربي العظيم، فكان ركوعه نحوًا من قيامه، ثم قال: سمع الله لمن حمده، ربنا لك الحمد، ثم قام طويلا قريبًا مما ركع، ثم سجد فقال: سبحان ربي الأعلى، فكان سجوده قريبًا من قيامه. ((رواه مسلم)).
Hudhaifah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I performed Salat with the Prophet (PBUH) one night, and he started reciting Surat Al- Baqarah. I thought that he would go in Ruku’ (bowing posture in Salat) at the end of one hundred Ayat, but he continued (reciting); and I thought that he would perhaps recite (this Surah) in the whole Rak’ah (prayer), but he continued the recitation; I thought he would perhaps bow on completing (this Surah). He (PBUH) then started reciting Surat An-Nisa’ which he followed with Surat Al-Imran. He recited leisurely. When he recited an Ayah which mentioned the tasbeeh, he would say Subhan Allah and when he recited the Ayah which tells how the Rubb is to be asked, the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) would then ask from Him; and when he (PBUH) recited an Ayah asking one to seek Protection Allah, he would seek Protection of Allah. Then he bowed and said, “Subhana Rabbiyal-Azim (My Rubb the Great is free from imperfection)”; his bowing lasted about the same length of time as his standing, (and then on returning to the standing posture after Ruku’) he would say, “Sami’ Allahu liman hamidah, Rabbana lakal-hamd (Allah listens to him who praises Him. Praise be to You, Our Rubb!),” and he would then stand about the same length of time as he had spent in bowing. He would then prostrate himself and say, “Subhana Rabbiyal-A’la (My Rubb the Supreme is free from imperfection),” and his prostration lasted nearly the same length of time as his standing (Qiyam). [Muslim]. Riyad as-Salihin 1175
This shows that he recited more than 1/6th of the Qur’an, and it can be estimate that he stood for at least three hours.
Ibn Mas’ood (RA) had ill thought
حَدَّثَنَا سُلَيْمَانُ بْنُ حَرْبٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، عَنِ الأَعْمَشِ، عَنْ أَبِي وَائِلٍ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ صَلَّيْتُ مَعَ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم لَيْلَةً، فَلَمْ يَزَلْ قَائِمًا حَتَّى هَمَمْتُ بِأَمْرِ سَوْءٍ. قُلْنَا وَمَا هَمَمْتَ قَالَ هَمَمْتَ أَنْ أَقْعُدَ وَأَذَرَ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم.
Narrated Abu-Wail: `Abdullah said, “One night I offered the Tahajjud prayer with the Prophet (PBUH) 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).” Sahih al-Bukhari 1135
Don’t ask me about the beauty and length
حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ يُوسُفَ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنَا مَالِكٌ، عَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ الْمَقْبُرِيِّ، عَنْ أَبِي سَلَمَةَ بْنِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ، أَنَّهُ أَخْبَرَهُ أَنَّهُ، سَأَلَ عَائِشَةَ ـ رضى الله عنها ـ كَيْفَ كَانَتْ صَلاَةُ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِي رَمَضَانَ فَقَالَتْ مَا كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَزِيدُ فِي رَمَضَانَ وَلاَ فِي غَيْرِهِ عَلَى إِحْدَى عَشْرَةَ رَكْعَةً، يُصَلِّي أَرْبَعًا فَلاَ تَسَلْ عَنْ حُسْنِهِنَّ وَطُولِهِنَّ، ثُمَّ يُصَلِّي أَرْبَعًا فَلاَ تَسَلْ عَنْ حُسْنِهِنَّ وَطُولِهِنَّ، ثُمَّ يُصَلِّي ثَلاَثًا، قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ فَقُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَتَنَامُ قَبْلَ أَنْ تُوتِرَ. فَقَالَ “ يَا عَائِشَةُ، إِنَّ عَيْنَىَّ تَنَامَانِ وَلاَ يَنَامُ قَلْبِي ”.
Narrated Abu Salma bin `Abdur Rahman: I asked `Aisha, “How is the prayer of Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) during the month of Ramadan.” She said, “Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) never exceeded eleven rak`at in Ramadan or in other months; he used to offer four rak`at– do not ask me about their beauty and length, then four rak`at, do not ask me about their beauty and length, and then three rak`at.” Aisha further said, “I said, ‘O Allah’s Messenger (PBUH)! Do you sleep before offering the witr prayer?’ He replied, ‘O `Aisha! My eyes sleep but my heart remains awake’!” Sahih al-Bukhari 1147
How many rakah did he pray?
حَدَّثَنَا عُبَيْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ مُوسَى، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنَا حَنْظَلَةُ، عَنِ الْقَاسِمِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ ـ رضى الله عنها ـ قَالَتْ كَانَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يُصَلِّي مِنَ اللَّيْلِ ثَلاَثَ عَشْرَةَ رَكْعَةً مِنْهَا الْوِتْرُ وَرَكْعَتَا الْفَجْرِ.
Narrated `Aisha: The Prophet (PBUH) used to offer thirteen rak`at of the night prayer and that included the witr and two rak`at (Sunna) of the Fajr prayer. Sahih al-Bukhari 1140
Another narration:
حَدَّثَنَا إِسْحَاقُ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا عُبَيْدُ اللَّهِ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنَا إِسْرَائِيلُ، عَنْ أَبِي حَصِينٍ، عَنْ يَحْيَى بْنِ وَثَّابٍ، عَنْ مَسْرُوقٍ، قَالَ سَأَلْتُ عَائِشَةَ ـ رضى الله عنها ـ عَنْ صَلاَةِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم بِاللَّيْلِ. فَقَالَتْ سَبْعٌ وَتِسْعٌ وَإِحْدَى عَشْرَةَ سِوَى رَكْعَتَىِ الْفَجْرِ.
Narrated Masruq: I asked Aisha about the night prayer of Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) and she said, “It was seven, nine or eleven rak`at besides the two rak`at of the Fajr prayer (i.e. Sunna). ” Sahih al-Bukhari 1139
Length of Sujood: one could recite fifty verses before he would lift his head
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 (PBUH) 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. Sahih al-Bukhari 1123
Witr
وعنه قال: كان النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم ، يصلي من الليل مثنى مثنى، ويوتر بركعة
Ibn ‘Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Prophet (PBUH) performed the night prayer in pairs (i.e., Rak’ah) and made it odd number by observing one Rak’ah (as Witr). [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].Riyad as-Salihin 1169
Another narration:
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 (PBUH) observed the Witr prayer every night and he completed Witr at the time of dawn. Sahih Muslim 745 a
Fajr Sunnah
حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ يُوسُفَ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنَا مَالِكٌ، عَنْ هِشَامِ بْنِ عُرْوَةَ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ ـ رضى الله عنها ـ قَالَتْ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يُصَلِّي بِاللَّيْلِ ثَلاَثَ عَشْرَةَ رَكْعَةً، ثُمَّ يُصَلِّي إِذَا سَمِعَ النِّدَاءَ بِالصُّبْحِ رَكْعَتَيْنِ خَفِيفَتَيْنِ.
Narrated `Aisha: Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) used to offer thirteen rak`at in the night prayer and on hearing the Adhan for the morning prayer, he used to offer two light rak`at. Sahih al-Bukhari 1164
Which sura did the Prophet (PBUH) recite in sunnah of Fajr?
The prophet (PBUH) prayed two light rakah of Fajr sunnah at home.
وَعَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ-رَضِيَ اَللَّهُ عَنْهُ- : { أَنَّ اَلنَّبِيَّ - صلى الله عليه وسلم -قَرَأَ فِي رَكْعَتَيْ اَلْفَجْرِ : ( قُلْ يَا أَيُّهَا اَلْكَافِرُونَ ) و : ( قُلْ هُوَ اَللَّهُ أَحَدٌ ) } رَوَاهُ مُسْلِمٌ{
Narrated Abu Hurairah (RA):The Prophet (PBUH) recited Surat al-Kafirun, and Surat al-Ikhlas in the two (voluntary) Rak’at of the Fajr (prayer). Sahih Muslim Book 2, Hadith 268
Fajr Salah
حَدَّثَنَا مُسَدَّدٌ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو عَوَانَةَ، عَنْ مُخَوَّلِ بْنِ رَاشِدٍ، عَنْ مُسْلِمٍ الْبَطِينِ، عَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ جُبَيْرٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم كَانَ يَقْرَأُ فِي صَلاَةِ الْفَجْرِ يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ تَنْزِيلَ السَّجْدَةِ وَ { هَلْ أَتَى عَلَى الإِنْسَانِ حِينٌ مِنَ الدَّهْرِ
Ibn ‘Abbas said: the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) used to recite in the morning prayer on Friday Surah Tanzil al-Sajdah and Surah al-Dahr. Sunan Abi Dawud 1074
The Messenger (PBUH) of Allah usually recited sixty to hundred verses in the obligatory rakah of Fajr prayer.
After Fajr: He would sit in his place until the sun had risen
حَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الأَحْوَصِ، عَنْ سِمَاكِ بْنِ حَرْبٍ، عَنْ جَابِرِ بْنِ سَمُرَةَ، قَالَ كَانَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم إِذَا صَلَّى الْفَجْرَ قَعَدَ فِي مُصَلاَّهُ حَتَّى تَطْلُعَ الشَّمْسُ . قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى هَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ صَحِيحٌ .
Jabir bin Samurah narrated: “When the Prophet prayed Fajr he would remain seated where he had prayed until the sun had risen.” Jami` at-Tirmidhi 585
We ask Allah to make us companions of the Prophet (PBUH) in Jannah.
And Allah knows best.
