Riyad as-Salihin, 1172

'Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported:

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) did not observe more than eleven Rak'ah (of Tahajjud prayers), be in Ramadan or any other month. First of all he would perform four Rak'ah. Ask not about their excellence and their length. He (ﷺ) would then perform four more Rak'ah; and do not ask about their excellence and their length. Then he would perform three Rak'ah (Witr prayer). ('Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) added) I submitted: "O Messenger of Allah! Do you sleep before performing the Witr prayer?" He (ﷺ) said, "O 'Aishah! My eyes sleep but my heart does not sleep." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

وعنها قالت‏:‏ ما كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ، يزيد- في رمضان ولا في غيره- على إحدي عشرة ركعة‏:‏ يصلي أربعًا فلا تسأل عن حسنهن وطولهن‏!‏ ثم يصلي أربعًا فلا تسأل عن حسنهن وطولهن‏!‏ ثم يصلي ثلاثًا‏.‏ فقلت‏:‏ يا رسول الله أتنام قبل أن توتر‏!‏‏؟‏ فقال‏:‏ ‏

‏يا عائشة إن عيني تنامان ولا ينام قلبي‏

‏‏.‏ ‏(‏‏(‏متفق عليه‏)‏‏)‏ ‏.‏

References1 variant

In-Book Reference: Book 8, Hadith 182

Sharh · explanationclick to expand

Guidance from the Hadith: 1) It demonstrates the Prophet’s guidance in Qiyām al-Layl. He would offer four Rak‘ahs, making Taslim after every two Rak‘ahs. Then, he would rest for a while after the four Rak‘ahs. 2) It points out the special trait of the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him), whose heart would not stop remembering Allah, even when his eyes slept. 3) It was part of the Prophet’s guidance to prolong Qiyām al-Layl and perform it perfectly.

Related hadiths8