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1652. It was narrated that Sa'd bin Hishâm bin 'Amir said: "I came to Al-Madinah and entered upon 'Aishah, may Allâh be pleased with her. She said: "Who are you?" I said: "I am Sa'd bin Hishâm bin 'Amir." She said: "May Allâh have mercy on your father." I said: "Tell me about the prayer of the Messenger of Allâh ﷺ." She said: "The Messenger of Allâh ﷺ did such and such." I said: "Yes indeed." She said: "The Messenger of Allâh ﷺ used to pray Ishâ' at night, then he would go to his bed and sleep. In the middle of the night, he would get up to relieve himself and go to his water for purification and perform Wudû'.
Then he went into the Masjid and prayed eight Rak'ahs. I think he made the recitation, bowing and prostration equal in length. Then he prayed one Rak'ah of Witr, then he prayed two Rak'ahs sitting down. Then he lay down on his side. Sometimes Bilâl would come and tell him that it was time to pray before he napped, and sometimes he napped. And sometimes I was not sure if he had napped or not before he told him that it was time to pray. This is how the Messenger of Allâh ﷺ used to pray until he grew older and gained weight” – and she mentioned whatever Allâh willed about his gaining weight. She said: “And the Prophet ﷺ used to lead the people in praying Witr, then he would go to his bed. In the middle of the night, he would get up and go to water for purification, and to relieve himself, then he would perform Wudû. Then he would go into the Masjid and pray six Rak'ahs, and I think he made the recitation, bowing and prostration equal in length. Then he prayed one Rak'ah of Witr, then he prayed two Rak'ahs sitting down. Then he lay down on his side. Sometimes Bilâl would come and tell him that it was time to pray before he napped, and sometimes he napped. And sometimes I was not sure if he had napped or not before he told him that it was time to pray.” She said: “And this is how the Messenger of Allâh ﷺ continued to pray.” (Da'if)
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Commentary
It is quite possible he performed these two Rak'ahs in a sitting posture, due to becoming tired as a result of offering long and lengthy Tahajjud. Otherwise, the recompense of the Prophet's ﷺ praying in a sitting posture was equal to his praying standing (Sahih Muslim, Prayer of Travelers, Hadith 735). We should pray in the standing posture in order to achieve a full reward. Although, offering it in the sitting posture is also allowed.
