Source: Fatāwā Amunpuri by Shaykh Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Amunpuri
How long was the Prophet’s ﷺ night prayer that it caused swelling in his feet?
When a person’s standing, bowing, and prostration are as prolonged as those of the Prophet ﷺ, then swelling of the feet due to physical exertion is not surprising — it is a natural human consequence.
❀ Sayyidunā Ḥudhayfah ibn al-Yamān رضي الله عنه reports:
**"One night, I had the opportunity to pray with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. He began reciting Sūrat al-Baqarah. I thought he would go into rukūʿ after a hundred verses, but he continued. I then thought he would complete the entire sūrah in one rakʿah — and he did.
Then he began Sūrat al-Nisā’ and completed it.
Then he recited Sūrat Āl ʿImrān and completed it.
He was reciting slowly and reflectively:
‘Subḥāna Rabbiyal-ʿAẓīm’ (Glory be to my Lord, the Most Great).
When he stood from rukūʿ and said:
‘Samiʿa Allāhu liman ḥamidah’,
his standing (after rukūʿ) lasted as long as his previous bowing.
Then he went into sujūd (prostration) and said:
‘Subḥāna Rabbiyal-Aʿlā’ (Glory be to my Lord, the Most High),
and his prostration was as long as his standing."
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 772
❖ Question:
How long was the Prophet’s ﷺ night prayer that it caused swelling in his feet?
✿ Answer:
When a person’s standing, bowing, and prostration are as prolonged as those of the Prophet ﷺ, then swelling of the feet due to physical exertion is not surprising — it is a natural human consequence.
❀ Sayyidunā Ḥudhayfah ibn al-Yamān رضي الله عنه reports:
**"One night, I had the opportunity to pray with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. He began reciting Sūrat al-Baqarah. I thought he would go into rukūʿ after a hundred verses, but he continued. I then thought he would complete the entire sūrah in one rakʿah — and he did.
Then he began Sūrat al-Nisā’ and completed it.
Then he recited Sūrat Āl ʿImrān and completed it.
He was reciting slowly and reflectively:
- Whenever he passed by a verse of tasbīḥ (glorification), he would glorify Allah.
- When he encountered a verse of supplication, he would supplicate.
- If he came across a verse seeking protection, he would seek refuge in Allah.
‘Subḥāna Rabbiyal-ʿAẓīm’ (Glory be to my Lord, the Most Great).
When he stood from rukūʿ and said:
‘Samiʿa Allāhu liman ḥamidah’,
his standing (after rukūʿ) lasted as long as his previous bowing.
Then he went into sujūd (prostration) and said:
‘Subḥāna Rabbiyal-Aʿlā’ (Glory be to my Lord, the Most High),
and his prostration was as long as his standing."
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 772
Conclusion:
- The night prayer of the Prophet ﷺ was marked by lengthy and reflective recitation, long bowing and prostration.
- Such devotion naturally resulted in physical strain, including swelling of his blessed feet—a testament to his deep gratitude and love for his Lord.
