Musnad Ishaq

Benefits:
From the aforementioned hadith, it is understood that it is Sunnah to keep the first two units (rak‘ahs) of the night prayer (qiyam al-layl) brief. However, a lengthy standing (qiyam) is more virtuous, as narrated from Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Hubshi Khath‘ami radi Allahu anhu. It is reported that the Noble Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam was asked: “Which deed is the best?” He sallallahu alayhi wa sallam replied: “A lengthy standing (in prayer).” (Sunan Abi Dawud, Book of Witr, Chapter: Prolonging the Standing, No. 1449)

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Mas‘ud radi Allahu anhu that once he performed the night prayer with the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam. The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam stood for such a long time that a wrong thought occurred in my heart. We asked: What was that wrong thought? He replied: I thought of sitting down and leaving the company of the Noble Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam. (Bukhari, Book of Tahajjud, No. 1135)

It is thus understood that, except for the first two units, the standing in the remaining units should be prolonged.