How was standing in night prayer obligatory upon the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), yet not made obligatory upon the people?
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The questioner : May Allah forgive you and may Allah forgive the sins of His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). And despite that, Allah made standing in night prayer obligatory upon him...
The Shaykh : Yes, that is correct.
The questioner : ...
The Shaykh : This issue is not a matter of scholarly consensus that the obligation was abrogated for him. But even on the assumption that it was obligatory, Allah the Exalted singled him out with this distinction to demonstrate gratitude for the blessing. Therefore, when it was said to him while he was standing in prayer until his feet swelled, he was told that, and he said:Sahih al-Bukhari 4837 This would be part of the completion of his gratitude to Allah Mighty and Majestic.
The Shaykh : Yes, that is correct.
The questioner : ...
The Shaykh : This issue is not a matter of scholarly consensus that the obligation was abrogated for him. But even on the assumption that it was obligatory, Allah the Exalted singled him out with this distinction to demonstrate gratitude for the blessing. Therefore, when it was said to him while he was standing in prayer until his feet swelled, he was told that, and he said: