Third misconception: relying on unrestricted and general texts

Some people appeal to the unrestricted, general statements that urge believers to increase their prayers without fixing a specific number. Among them is the Prophet’s ﷺ saying to Rabiʿah ibn Kaʿb—after the latter asked to join him in Paradise—Hadith 11 (sound): “Then help me achieve that for you by making many prostrations.” This was recorded by Muslim in his Ṣaḥīḥ and by Abū ʿAwānah.

They likewise cite the report of Abū Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that “he ﷺ used to encourage standing in prayer during Ramadan…,” and similar hadiths whose broad and unrestricted wording is taken to sanction praying as many rakʿahs as one wishes. ⦗36⦘