And if Ibn ‘Abbās and ‘Ā’ishah differ concerning any aspect of his night prayers, ‘Ā’ishah’s account is to be accepted.
His night prayers and witr, peace and blessings be upon him, took several forms, including:
The form described above by Ibn ‘Abbās.
The second form: As ‘Ā’ishah described, he would begin his prayer with two brief rak‘ahs, then complete (1) his regular night prayers, making eleven rak‘ahs in all, giving the concluding salutation after every two rak‘ahs and praying one rak‘ah of witr.
The (2) third form: Thirteen rak‘ahs in the same manner.
The fourth form: He would pray eight rak‘ahs, giving the concluding salutation after (3) every two rak‘ahs, then pray five consecutive rak‘ahs of witr, without sitting (4) until the last of them (5).
The fifth form: Nine rak‘ahs. He would pray eight of them consecutively, without sitting in any of them until the eighth, when he would sit to remember (6) Allah, praise Him, and supplicate to Him. Then he would rise without giving the concluding salutation (7). He would then pray the ninth rak‘ah, sit, recite the tashahhud (testimony of faith), and give the concluding salutation. After giving the concluding salutation, he would pray two rak‘ahs (8).