He asked Aishah, the Mother of the Believers, about how the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to pray in Ramadan. She said: "The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) did not pray more than eleven rak'ahs during Ramadan or at any other time. He would pray four, and do not ask how beautiful or how long they were. Then he would pray four, and do not ask how beautiful or how long they were. Then he would pray three." Aishah said: "I said: 'O Messenger of Allah, do you sleep before you pray witr?' He said: 'O Aishah, my eyes sleep but my heart does not.'"
The Book of Qiyam Al-Lail (The Night Prayer) and Voluntary Prayers During the Day
Sunan an-Nasa'i - Hadith 1697
Hadith Text
He asked Aishah, the Mother of the Believers, about how the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to pray in Ramadan. She said: "The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) did not pray more than eleven rak'ahs during Ramadan or at any other time. He would pray four, and do not ask how beautiful or how long they were. Then he would pray four, and do not ask how beautiful or how long they were. Then he would pray three." Aishah said: "I said: 'O Messenger of Allah, do you sleep before you pray witr?' He said: 'O Aishah, my eyes sleep but my heart does not.'"
Scholarly Commentary
This noble hadith establishes the sunnah method of performing the night prayer (Tahajjud/Qiyam al-Lail). The Prophet (ﷺ) maintained consistency in his night prayers throughout the year, including Ramadan, performing eleven rak'ahs total.
The four rak'ahs mentioned are performed with one tasleem, as indicated by other narrations. Lady Aishah's repeated instruction "do not ask how beautiful or how long they were" emphasizes the exceptional quality and duration of these prayers, beyond ordinary comprehension.
The final three rak'ahs constitute the witr prayer, which the Prophet (ﷺ) would delay until the latter portion of the night. His statement "my eyes sleep but my heart does not" demonstrates the unique spiritual state of the Prophets, whose hearts remain in constant remembrance of Allah even during physical rest.
This hadith serves as guidance for Muslims seeking to emulate the Prophet's night prayers, emphasizing quality over quantity and spiritual presence over mere ritual performance.