Hazrat Asim bin Damrah says that some students of Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) asked Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) to tell them how the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) used to offer voluntary prayers during the day. Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) replied, "You do not have the strength to perform them." They said, "Please tell us, we will act according to our ability." Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "When the sun rises in the east to the extent that it is elevated in the west at the time of Asr, he would offer two rak'ahs. Then, when it rises in the east to the extent that it is elevated in the west at the time of Dhuhr, he would offer four rak'ahs. Then, before Dhuhr, he would offer four rak'ahs, and after Dhuhr, he would offer two rak'ahs. And before Asr, he would offer four rak'ahs, in every two rak'ahs of which he would pray for peace for the close angels, the prophets, and the Muslims and believers who follow them."