It is narrated from Hazrat Abu Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him) that once we observed the fasts of Ramadan with the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did not perform Qiyam (night prayer) with us for the entire month. When the 24th night came, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) performed Qiyam with us until about a third of the night had passed. When the next night came, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did not perform Qiyam with us again. On the 26th night, he performed such a long Qiyam with us that about half the night had passed. I said, "O Messenger of Allah! If only you would continue to lead us in prayer for the rest of the night?" The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "When a person stands with the Imam and remains with him until he finishes, it is counted for him as if he spent the whole night in prayer."