and He ordained it for him on the most illustrious night ever granted to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ—the Night of the Ascension—and He initially made it fifty prayers each day. From this we observe four distinct points:

First: Its legislation did not resemble that of zakah, fasting, or pilgrimage; rather, it came directly from Allah the Exalted to His Messenger ﷺ without any intermediary.

Second: As to place, the prescription occurred at the loftiest station a human being has ever reached, even though the obligation itself was to be carried out by the Prophet ﷺ while he remained on earth.

Third: As to time, it took place during the noblest night ever experienced by the Messenger of Allah ﷺ—the Night of the Ascension.

Fourth: As to quantity, Allah did not decree a single daily prayer but fifty, demonstrating His love for the prayer and His wish that His servant be constantly engaged in it.

Yet Allah has appointed a cause for everything. When the Prophet ﷺ descended, fully accepting Allah’s command, he passed by Moses ﷺ. Moses asked, “What has your Lord obligated upon your community?” He replied, “Fifty prayers in every day and night.” Moses said, “Your community will not be able to bear that. I have experienced people before you and strove hard with the Children of Israel. Go back to your Lord and ask Him to lighten the burden for your community.” So he returned to Allah, moving back and forth between Moses ﷺ and Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, until Allah reduced them to five; yet by His grace and generosity Allah