Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah

Ibrahim and Alqamah narrate that a man came to Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) while he was standing in the plain of Arafat. The man said, "O Commander of the Faithful, I have come from Kufa and I have left there a person who dictates the Qur'an from memory." Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) became very angry and said, "The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) used to always consult with Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) at his house at night regarding the matters and issues of the Muslims."

Imam Abu Bakr, may Allah have mercy on him, says that the narration of Hazrat Abdullah bin Amr, may Allah be pleased with him, is of the same kind, that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, used to narrate to us about the Children of Israel (at night) until morning would come. During this time, the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, would only get up for the major prayer (i.e., the obligatory prayer). Sayyiduna Imran bin Husain, may Allah be pleased with him, narrates a similar report from the Noble Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him. Imam Abu Bakr, may Allah have mercy on him, says that the Noble Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, used to narrate the conditions of the Children of Israel to the noble Companions after ‘Isha so that they might take lesson and admonition, from the worldly punishment that befell the Children of Israel and from that punishment of the Hereafter which Allah Almighty has prepared for them due to their disobedience to their messengers and their refusal to believe. Therefore, it is permissible for a person to have such beneficial conversation after ‘Isha from which the listeners gain religious benefit. Because the Noble Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, used to converse after ‘Isha regarding some matter of the Muslims, from which there would be benefit for the Muslims in their religion or worldly affairs, whether immediate or delayed. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, used to narrate to his noble Companions the conditions and events of the Children of Israel so that they might benefit from his speech. Therefore, in the blessed action of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, there is evidence that such conversation after ‘Isha is disliked in which there is no religious or worldly benefit. And in my opinion, the Prophet’s, peace and blessings be upon him, dislike for conversation after ‘Isha may also be because it leads to laziness and heedlessness in the night prayer (tahajjud), because when a person remains engaged in conversation in the early part of the night, then in the last part of the night he will fall into deep sleep and will not be able to wake up. And even if he does wake up, he will not be alert and energetic for the night prayer (tahajjud).