Is it obligatory to adhere to a specific number of rak'ahs for the night prayer?
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The second question of Fatwa No. ( 15619 )
Q2: Is it obligatory to adhere to a specific number of rak'ahs for the night prayer
daily, or is this left to one's ability?
A2: It is prescribed for the Muslim to pray eleven rak'ahs at night, as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was consistent in doing so for most of his life; for it is established from A'ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) that she said:Sunan an-Nasa'i 1697Sahih (Darussalam) , and it is permissible for a person to pray as much voluntary prayer as he wishes at night; because when the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was asked about the night prayer, he said: Sahih Muslim 749c , and because of his saying (peace and blessings be upon him): Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah 5:173 except that the witr should be the last prayer of the night. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions.
Q2: Is it obligatory to adhere to a specific number of rak'ahs for the night prayer
daily, or is this left to one's ability?
A2: It is prescribed for the Muslim to pray eleven rak'ahs at night, as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was consistent in doing so for most of his life; for it is established from A'ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) that she said:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) did not pray more than eleven rak'ahs during Ramadan or at any other time
ما كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يزيد في رمضان ولا غيره على إحدى عشرة ركعةThe night prayer consists of pair, but if you apprehend the rise of dawn, make it odd number by observing one rak'ah.
مثنى مثنى فإذا خفت الصبح فأوتر بواحدةThe best prayer after the obligatory prayers is the night prayer
أفضل الصلاة بعد المكتوبة صلاة الليل
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.