Lady Aisha Siddiqa (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates: The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) went out at midnight. He performed prayer in the mosque and all the people prayed behind him. The next day, people talked about this, so more people gathered than before. Then the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) went out the second night as well. He performed prayer and the people prayed behind him. The following night, people mentioned this, so on the third night the number had increased even more. The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) went out, led them in prayer, and the people prayed behind him. When the fourth night came, the mosque was completely filled. The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) did not go out. Some people began to request: (Come out for prayer), but the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) did not go to them until he came out for the Fajr prayer. When he had performed the Fajr prayer, he turned towards the people, then he recited the testimony of faith and said: "Your situation last night was not hidden from me. I feared that the night prayer would be made obligatory upon you and you would not be able to perform it (i.e., you would not be able to fulfill it)."
Hadith Referenceصحیح ابن حبان / كتاب الصلاة / 2544
Hadith Gradingفضيلة الشيخ الإمام محمد ناصر الدين الألبانيصحيح - انظر ما قبله.فضيلة الشيخ العلّامة شُعيب الأرناؤوطإسناده صحيح على شرط مسلم