In another narration: “…Your persistence in what you were doing led me to think that it would be prescribed for you. Therefore, pray in your homes, for a person’s best prayer is the one offered in his home, except for the prescribed prayer.” Recorded by Muslim on the authority of Zayd ibn Thābit. (1)

I say: This hadith plainly indicates that the night prayer is not obligatory, for the Messenger explicitly stated that it is among the prayers offered at home, which are not obligatory. This is because he, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, feared that performing the night prayer in congregation in the mosques during Ramadan might be prescribed for them. This indicates that it is not obligatory to perform it in congregation in the mosques during Ramadan, and the same applies outside Ramadan, since there is no relevant distinction. Nor is it obligatory when performed individually. (2)

Ibn Umar reported: “While traveling, the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, would perform the night prayer on his mount, whichever way it turned, making gestures as he prayed; but he did not do so for the obligatory prayers. He would also perform Witr on his mount.” Recorded by al-Bukhārī. (3)

I say: A comprehensive survey establishes that he, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, never performed an obligatory prayer on his mount. His performance of the night prayer and Witr on his mount thus shows that they are voluntary prayers, not obligatory like the prescribed prayer. (4)