سنن نسائی · Hadith 1610

It was narrated that Abu Dharr said: “We fasted with the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم in Ramadan and he did not lead us in praying Qiyam until there were seven days left in the month, when he led us in praying Qiyam until one-third of the night had passed. Then he did not lead us praying Qiyam when there were six days left. Then he led us praying Qiyam when there were five days left until one half of the night had passed. I said: “ Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم! What if we spend the rest of this night praying Nafi?” He said: “Whoever prays Qiyam with the Imam until he finishes, Allah will record for him the Qiyam of a (whole) night.” Then he did not lead us in prayer or pray Qiyam until there were three days of the month left. Then he led us in praying Qiyam when there were three days left. He gathered his family and wives (and led us in prayer) until we feared that we would miss Al-Falah. I (one of the narrators) said: “What is AlFalah?” He said: “The Sehri.” (Sahih)