from here, he would stand and pray four, and four before Dhuhr when the sun passed the meridian, and two after it, and four before 'Asr, separating every two rak'ahs with the taslim (salutation) to the close angels, the prophets, and those who followed them from the Muslims. That makes sixteen rak'ahs, the voluntary prayer of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) during the day, and few are they who are consistent with it (78).

Section: As for absolute voluntary prayers, they are legislated throughout the entire night and during the day, except at the times when prayer is prohibited; and voluntary prayer at night is better than voluntary prayer during the day. Ahmad said: There is nothing better in my view after the obligatory prayer than standing for the night prayer. And the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) was commanded to do that. Allah the Almighty said: {And from the night, perform tahajjud (night prayer) with it as an additional [prayer] for you} (79). Abu Hurairah narrated that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: "The best prayer after the obligatory prayer is the prayer of the night" (80). Al-Tirmidhi said: This is a hasan (good) hadith (81). Night prayer was once obligatory, evidenced by the saying of the Almighty: {O you who wraps himself [in clothing] (1) Arise [to pray] the night, except for a little (2) - half of it} (82). Then it was abrogated by His saying: {Indeed, your Lord knows that you stand [in prayer] less than two-thirds of the night} (83), the rest of the verse.

Section: "The best of tahajjud is in the latter part of the night; based on what 'Amr ibn 'Abasah narrated, who said: I said, O Messenger of Allah, which part of the night is most heard? He said: "The latter part of the night, so pray