5/171. Chapter:
Sunan Ibn Majah 1319 — Night Prayer Format
What was narrated concerning the (voluntary) night Prayer is two by two
Night Prayer Format: Two Rak’ah by Two
Sunan Ibn Majah : 1319
Sunan Ibn MajahHadith Number 1319
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ رُمْحٍ، أَنْبَأَنَا اللَّيْثُ بْنُ سَعْدٍ، عَنْ نَافِعٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ قَالَ " صَلاَةُ اللَّيْلِ مَثْنَى مَثْنَى " .
Ibn 'Umar Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “The night prayer is (to be offered) two by two.”
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 1319In-book reference : Book 5, Hadith 517English translation : Vol. 1, Book 5, Hadith 1319
Summary of Sunan Ibn Majah Hadith 1319
This hadith about night prayer format is narrated from Ibn ‘Umar. The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم said, “The night prayer is two by two.” Unlike a report that only describes what the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم did, this narration gives the wording as a statement from him. The meaning remains direct: night prayer is offered in pairs of two Rak‘ah. The hadith does not discuss how long each prayer should be or how many pairs a person should pray. For people searching for Salat al-Layl two by two hadith, this narration is a short and clear proof text. The best explanation is to keep it simple: the structure mentioned here is two Rak‘ah followed by two Rak‘ah.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم stated that night prayer is offered two by two.
- The hadith gives the prayer format without mentioning a total number.
- The wording helps a person understand night prayer in paired Rak‘ah.
