Musnad Ahmad

It is narrated from Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) that during the blessed month of Ramadan, people used to pray in the Prophet’s Mosque at night in different groups. Whoever knew a little bit of the Qur’an, about six people would stand with him and pray with him. One day, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) ordered me to spread a mat at the door of the chamber, so I did so. After the ‘Isha prayer, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) came out of the house in the middle of the night and started praying in the mosque. People gathered and joined the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in prayer. In the morning, people mentioned to each other that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) had come out of his house at midnight and prayed in the mosque. So, the next night, more people gathered than before. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) came out as usual and started praying, and people joined him. The same happened on the third night. On the fourth night, so many people gathered that there was no room left in the mosque for anyone else to come, but that night the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) remained in the house and did not come out, until I heard some people saying, “Prayer! Prayer!” But the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did not come out. Then, when he led the Fajr prayer, after finishing the prayer he stood among the people, testified to the Oneness of Allah and the Messengership, and after saying “Amma ba’du” said: “Your condition tonight was not hidden from me, but I feared that this prayer might become obligatory upon you and then you would be unable to perform it. Therefore, do as much as you are able, for Allah will not tire, but you will surely tire.”