that he asked `Aisha "How was the prayer of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) in Ramadan?" She replied, "He did not pray more than eleven rak`at in Ramadan or in any other month. He used to pray four rak`at ---- let alone their beauty and length----and then he would pray four ----let alone their beauty and length ---- and then he would pray three rak`at (witr)." She added, "I asked, 'O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! Do you sleep before praying the witr?' He replied, 'O `Aisha! My eyes sleep but my heart does not sleep."
Praying at Night in Ramadaan (Taraweeh)
Sahih al-Bukhari 2013
The Excellence of the Prophet's Night Prayer
This narration from the Mother of the Believers, 'Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her), establishes that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) did not exceed eleven rak'at in his night prayers, whether during Ramadan or other months. This demonstrates the Sunnah practice and refutes those who claim more rak'at are obligatory.
The Prophet's consistency in this number shows it is the most perfect and complete form of night prayer, encompassing both the recommended voluntary prayers and the witr prayer that concludes them.
The Manner of Performance
He would pray four rak'at, then four rak'at, then three rak'at for witr. 'Aisha's emphasis on "let alone their beauty and length" indicates these prayers were performed with perfect tranquility, proper recitation, and complete submission - not hurriedly as some do today.
The separation between sets shows it is permissible to pray night prayers in units of two rak'at with salutations between them, contrary to those who pray four continuously without tashahhud.
The Wisdom of Delaying Witr
The Prophet's response "My eyes sleep but my heart does not sleep" reveals the spiritual state of the Prophets. While their bodies rest, their hearts remain connected to Allah, ever-mindful of their Lord.
This teaching shows the permissibility of sleeping before witr and that one may make witr as the final prayer of the night, which is the best practice according to the majority of scholars.
Legal Rulings Derived
This hadith establishes that Taraweeh prayer is Sunnah, not obligatory, and that eleven rak'at is the ideal number, though more are permissible. The manner of prayer should be with proper tranquility and not rushed.
It also shows the superiority of praying witr at the end of the night, and that the Prophet's practice serves as the perfect model for all acts of worship.