It is narrated from Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) used to perform eight units of voluntary prayer at night and twelve units during the day.

Humaid says: It was asked from Sayyiduna Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) about the night prayer of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him). He said: We did not want to see the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) praying at night, but we would see him like that anyway, and we did not want to see him sleeping, but we would see him like that as well. And the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) would begin to fast so much in a month that we would say he will not leave any fast of this month, but then when he would start leaving the fasts, we would say now he will not fast any more in this month.

Sayyiduna Rabi’ah bin Ka’b Aslami (may Allah be pleased with him) says: I used to spend the night at the door of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) so that I could provide him with water for ablution. In one narration it is stated: I used to sleep in the chamber of the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). After a portion of the night had passed, I would hear him say:“Sami’ Allahu liman hamidah,”and after another portion of the night had passed, I would hear him say:“Alhamdu lillahi Rabbil ‘alamin.”And in one narration it is stated: I would hear him say during a part of the night:“Subhanallahi al-‘Azim wa bihamdih.”