Continuation of the answer to the question about the night prayer?
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The Shaykh : The matter is up to the individual. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did not exceed eleven rak'ahs, but how was his prayer? It was very long, and his feet would crack from standing.
And what some people do, who claim that they adhere to the Sunnah, it is said to them: May Allah reward you for your good intentions, but you have done poorly in your actions and in your application. The Sunnah is to follow the imam in this, because the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) followed their imam in something greater than this. They followed their imam in completing the four-unit prayer while traveling, which is greater than a person increasing the number of rak'ahs in a voluntary prayer. And every two rak'ahs are separate from what came before them. Uthman ibn Affan (may Allah be pleased with him), in the last part of his caliphate, began to pray the four-unit prayer in Mina as four rak'ahs and did not shorten it. Some of the Companions objected to him, but they prayed behind him and prayed four rak'ahs following the imam. They agreed with him in a number that invalidates the prayer, because if the obligatory prayer is two rak'ahs and it is increased to four, what happens? The prayer is invalidated. And yet they followed him.
And Ibn Mas'ud was asked about this, and he said: "Indeed, disagreement is evil".
Then we hear that these people remain, leaving their imam, talking and disturbing those around them, and openly opposing the Muslims praying in this Sacred Mosque. This happens most often in the Sacred Mosque. We have also heard that some of them drink tea and coffee while people are praying, and perhaps some of them strike the spout of the kettle with the cup so that people can hear that they are drinking tea while the Muslims are praying. All of this is contrary to the Sunnah and contrary to the guidance of the Salaf. Unity among the community is a required matter. The obligation of congregation, Friday prayer, and the two festivals is only a manifestation of unity and gathering. And the obligation of following the imam in bowing, prostrating, standing, sitting, and saying takbir is only a manifestation of gathering. So gathering is a matter required by the Shari'ah. Therefore, these brothers should review themselves, reflect on the matter, and agree with the Muslims. Yes, that is right.
And what some people do, who claim that they adhere to the Sunnah, it is said to them: May Allah reward you for your good intentions, but you have done poorly in your actions and in your application. The Sunnah is to follow the imam in this, because the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) followed their imam in something greater than this. They followed their imam in completing the four-unit prayer while traveling, which is greater than a person increasing the number of rak'ahs in a voluntary prayer. And every two rak'ahs are separate from what came before them. Uthman ibn Affan (may Allah be pleased with him), in the last part of his caliphate, began to pray the four-unit prayer in Mina as four rak'ahs and did not shorten it. Some of the Companions objected to him, but they prayed behind him and prayed four rak'ahs following the imam. They agreed with him in a number that invalidates the prayer, because if the obligatory prayer is two rak'ahs and it is increased to four, what happens? The prayer is invalidated. And yet they followed him.
And Ibn Mas'ud was asked about this, and he said: "Indeed, disagreement is evil".
Then we hear that these people remain, leaving their imam, talking and disturbing those around them, and openly opposing the Muslims praying in this Sacred Mosque. This happens most often in the Sacred Mosque. We have also heard that some of them drink tea and coffee while people are praying, and perhaps some of them strike the spout of the kettle with the cup so that people can hear that they are drinking tea while the Muslims are praying. All of this is contrary to the Sunnah and contrary to the guidance of the Salaf. Unity among the community is a required matter. The obligation of congregation, Friday prayer, and the two festivals is only a manifestation of unity and gathering. And the obligation of following the imam in bowing, prostrating, standing, sitting, and saying takbir is only a manifestation of gathering. So gathering is a matter required by the Shari'ah. Therefore, these brothers should review themselves, reflect on the matter, and agree with the Muslims. Yes, that is right.