How many rak'ahs are in the night prayer, and is it required to intend a specific number of rak'ahs?
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Question:
Regarding standing in the night prayer, O Shaykh Salih, do I have to intend, or is it obligatory for me to intend, the number of rak'ahs I will pray? And how many rak'ahs are in the night prayer?
Answer:
No, stand in the night prayer as much as is easy for you. Your standing, your ablution, and your standing again—this is the intention. This is what intention means. You did not do this without having intended it. It is not required that you intend a specific number of rak'ahs. Pray what is easy for you, and the more you do, the better. What is reported in the Sunnah is that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to pray eleven or thirteen rak'ahs at night, but he would lengthen the recitation and lengthen the bowing and prostration. Yes.
Regarding standing in the night prayer, O Shaykh Salih, do I have to intend, or is it obligatory for me to intend, the number of rak'ahs I will pray? And how many rak'ahs are in the night prayer?
Answer:
No, stand in the night prayer as much as is easy for you. Your standing, your ablution, and your standing again—this is the intention. This is what intention means. You did not do this without having intended it. It is not required that you intend a specific number of rak'ahs. Pray what is easy for you, and the more you do, the better. What is reported in the Sunnah is that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to pray eleven or thirteen rak'ahs at night, but he would lengthen the recitation and lengthen the bowing and prostration. Yes.
Source
قناة «العلامة الدكتور صالح الفوزان»، 2467 - كم عدد ركعات قيام الليل، وهل يشترط نية عدد الركعات؟ - الشيخ صالح الفوزان — youtube.com
The Arabic text is a machine transcription of the audio recording.