When our Mother Aisha (radiyallahu anha) was asked, “How did the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) pray during the nights of Ramadan?” she replied:
“Whether it was Ramadan or any other month, he never prayed more than eleven rak‘ahs. He would begin by praying four rak‘ahs—so beautiful and so long that one cannot imagine their excellence. Then he would pray another four, just as beautiful and lengthy—so much so that words cannot describe them. After that, he would pray three rak‘ahs. When he finished, before praying witr, he would lie down and rest. Once I asked him, ‘O Messenger of Allah, will you sleep before performing witr?’ He replied, ‘O Aisha, my eyes may sleep, but my heart does not.’” (Bukhari, Tahajjud 16; Muslim, Musafirin 17)
Except for the last ten nights, the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) would usually spend the nights of Ramadan at home with one of his wives. If he was intimate with his spouse during the night, he would sleep until the call for Fajr, then awaken, perform ghusl, and go to the mosque for prayer.
By doing so, he taught the Ummah that (even in Ramadan) fasting belongs to the daytime. One is not required to avoid permissible matters during the night, nor is night-time fasting prescribed. The rulings of the fast apply from dawn to sunset, not beyond.
Tarawih Prayer
In the early days, the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) prayed the night prayer in jama'ah. Later, fearing it might become obligatory upon the Ummah, he discontinued leading it publicly and prayed it at home.
However, in the last ten nights of Ramadan, he again led the night prayer in the mosque, gathering the believers, including his wives and daughters. Aisha (radiyallahu anha) relates:
“When the last ten nights of Ramadan began, the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) would spend the night in worship, awaken his family, and keep away from marital relations.” (Bukhari, Laylat al-Qadr 5; Muslim, I‘tikaf 3)
He would spend the night in prayer, then take suhur and wait for Fajr. He would perform the Sunnah of Fajr at home, then go to the mosque to lead the obligatory prayer.
I‘tikaf and Supplication
During the last ten days of Ramadan, the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) would perform i‘tikaf in the mosque. In the final year of his blessed life, he remained in i‘tikaf for twenty days.
During these nights, he intensified his worship, seeking Laylat al-Qadr. He instructed his followers:
“Seek Laylat al-Qadr during the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan.” (Bukhari, Laylat al-Qadr 3)
One of the most striking aspects of the Prophet’s Ramadan practice was the abundance of his supplications. Aisha (radiyallahu anha) once asked him:
“O Messenger of Allah, if I encounter Laylat al-Qadr, what should I say?”
He replied:
“O Allah, indeed You are ever-forgiving and love to forgive—so forgive me.” (Tirmidhi, Da‘awat 85)
In the last ten nights, he would awaken his family, encourage them to worship, and not allow them to sleep through these blessed hours. Ali (kerremallahu wajhah) also narrated that the Prophet would wake up his household during the final ten nights. (Tirmidhi, Sawm 795)
Encouraging the Family
The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) stands as the finest example for every head of household—husbands, fathers, and leaders. He gave great importance to encouraging his family to worship Allah, more so than to their comfort or ease. He practiced and taught the command of Allah:
“O you who believe, protect yourselves and your families from the Fire.” (At-Tahrim, 6)
A Month of Worship, Not Indulgence
The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) spent this month absorbed in worship: fasting, prayer, reciting Qur’an, remembrance, supplication, and charity. His example reminds us that Ramadan is not—as often imagined today—a month of feasting and leisure, but a season of spiritual purification, worship, and renewed obedience.
He demonstrated patience in hunger, contentment with little food, and sincere devotion in worship — showing us what fasting truly means.
We too can strive to make Ramadan meaningful and blessed by following the example of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam). All it requires is intention and effort. We often say we follow the Sunnah — but we must remember: words and morals that are not lived have neither benefit nor weight.
