Sa’d bin Hisham Ansari narrates: He asked Sayyidah Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) about the (voluntary) night prayer of the Prophet (peace be upon him). She replied: When the Prophet (peace be upon him) had performed the ‘Isha prayer, he would offer two short rak’ahs, then he would sleep. The water for his ablution and his miswak would be placed near his head. Then he would wake up and use the miswak, then perform ablution and offer prayer. He would first offer two short rak’ahs, then he would offer eight rak’ahs in which he would recite almost equal portions (of the Qur’an). He would make them odd by performing a ninth rak’ah. Then he would sit and offer two rak’ahs. When the Prophet (peace be upon him) grew older and his body became heavier, he started offering six rak’ahs instead of eight, and would make them odd by performing a seventh rak’ah. Then he would sit and offer two rak’ahs in which he would recite Surah Al-Kafiroon and Surah Az-Zalzalah.