Sayyidah Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) said that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) would sometimes leave off doing a certain act, even though he liked to do it, out of concern that other companions might see him and start practicing it, and thus it might become obligatory upon them. For example, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) never performed the Duha (forenoon) prayer, but I perform it.

Sayyiduna Ibn Abi Layla (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that no one informed us that they saw the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) performing the Duha prayer. However, Umm Hani stated that on the day of the conquest of Makkah, the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) performed ghusl in her house, and after that, he prayed eight rak‘ahs. I have never seen him perform such a light prayer, although he performed the bowing and prostration completely.

Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) said that my beloved friend (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) advised me regarding three things: that I should not leave them before death—fasting three days in every month, the Duha (forenoon) prayer, and sleeping after offering Witr.