Sunan Abi Dawud 1375

Musaddad narrated to us: Yazid ibn Zuray narrated to us: Dawud ibn Abi Hind informed us, from al-Walid ibn Abd al-Rahman, from Jubayr ibn Nufayr, from Abu Dharr, who said: We fasted Ramadan with the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), but he did not lead us in prayer during any part of the month until seven nights remained. Then he led us in prayer until a third of the night had passed. When six nights remained, he did not lead us in prayer. When five nights remained, he led us until half the night had passed. I said, Messenger of Allah, I wish you had offered voluntary prayer with us for the rest of this night. He said: When a man prays with the imam until the imam leaves, it is counted for him as standing in prayer for a whole night. When four nights remained, he did not lead us in prayer. When three nights remained, he gathered his family, his wives, and the people, and led us in prayer until we feared we would miss al-falah. I asked, What is al-falah? He said: The pre-dawn meal. Then he did not lead us in prayer for the rest of the month.