Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah 6100 — What is liked of voluntary prayer

Asim bin Damrah said: Some of the students of Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) said to Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him): Tell us how the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) used to offer voluntary prayers during the day. Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) said: You do not have the strength to perform them. They said: Tell us, and we will act upon them as much as we have strength for. Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) said: When the sun rose from the east as high as it stands in the west at the time of Asr, he would pray two rak'ahs. Then, when it rose from the east as high as it stands from the west at the time of Zuhr, he would pray four rak'ahs. Then he would pray four rak'ahs before Zuhr and two rak'ahs after Zuhr, and he would pray four rak'ahs before Asr, in every two rak'ahs of which he would invoke peace upon the angels brought near, the prophets, and the Muslims and believers who follow them.