Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) 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."
The Excellence of Prophet David's Worship
This narration from Sahih al-Bukhari (Hadith 1131) establishes the superior pattern of worship practiced by Prophet David (peace be upon him), which the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) described as most beloved to Allah. The wisdom lies in its perfect balance between spiritual devotion and physical needs.
Scholarly Commentary on the Night Prayer Pattern
Classical scholars explain that sleeping the first half of the night ensures proper rest for the body and mind. Praying during the last third of the night coincides with the time when Allah descends to the lowest heaven and asks, "Who is asking Me so that I may give him?" This timing makes supplications more likely to be accepted.
The division - half for sleep, one-third for prayer, and one-sixth for sleep - demonstrates the Islamic principle of moderation. This schedule maintains worldly responsibilities while achieving spiritual excellence, making it sustainable throughout one's life.
The Wisdom of Alternate-Day Fasting
Known as Sawm al-Dāwūd, fasting every other day is considered the most excellent voluntary fast after the obligatory Ramadan. Scholars note this pattern is more rewarding than continuous fasting because it doesn't exhaust the worshipper, allowing them to maintain other obligations.
Imam An-Nawawi commented that this practice combines the benefits of fasting while preserving one's strength for worship and worldly duties. It demonstrates that the best worship is that which is consistent, even if small, rather than excessive worship that cannot be maintained.
Practical Application for Believers
While this represents the ideal, scholars clarify that Muslims should adopt what they can consistently maintain. Even praying one or two rak'ahs in the last third of the night and occasionally fasting alternate days brings immense reward. The key lesson is balance and consistency in worship.
Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani emphasized that the Prophet (ﷺ) mentioned this not to obligate it upon his nation, but to illustrate the most perfect voluntary worship that combines both the rights of Allah and the rights of one's own body and family.