“How was the ritual prayer of Allah’s Messenger (Allah bless him and give him peace) during Ramadan?” so she said: “Neither in Ramadan nor in any other month would Allah’s Messenger (Allah bless him and give him peace) add to the total of eleven cycles of [nighttime] ritual prayer. He would perform four — do not ask about their excellence or their length — then he would perform four — do not ask about their excellence or their length — and then he would perform three.”‘A'isha said (may Allah the Exalted be well pleased with her): “I said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, do you sleep before you perform the odd-numbered ritual prayer [witr]?' He said: ‘O 'A'isha, my eyes may sleep, but my heart does not sleep!’”
The Excellence of the Prophet's Night Prayer
The blessed hadith from Umm al-Mu'minin 'A'isha (may Allah be pleased with her) reveals the consistent practice of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) in performing the night prayer (Tahajjud). He maintained eleven cycles throughout the year, demonstrating moderation and consistency in worship.
Structure of the Night Prayer
The Prophet (ﷺ) divided his night prayer into three segments: four cycles, followed by another four cycles, concluding with three cycles of Witr. This division reflects wisdom in spiritual discipline.
The repetition of "do not ask about their excellence or their length" indicates the profound quality and duration of these prayers, beyond ordinary comprehension.
The Spiritual State of the Prophet
When 'A'isha inquired about sleeping before Witr, the Prophet's response "my eyes may sleep, but my heart does not sleep" reveals his perpetual spiritual awareness. This demonstrates the highest level of spiritual connection with Allah, where the heart remains in constant remembrance even during physical rest.
Lessons for the Ummah
This narration teaches us the importance of consistency in worship rather than excessive but irregular devotion. The Prophet's practice shows balance between spiritual duties and physical needs.
The preservation of Witr as the concluding prayer emphasizes its significance in Islamic worship, serving as a seal for the night's devotion.