Is it prescribed for me to imitate the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and our master David (peace be upon him) in sleeping before and after the Night Prayer (Qiyam), and would this imitation, with the intention of gaining strength for obedience to Allah, be considered an innovation (bid'ah)? And did the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) always do that, and if not, is the prayer of David better?

The question contained several issues, and their clarification is as follows:

1. The Prophet's sleep (peace be upon him) before and after Qiyam al-Layl (night vigil prayer): This act is potentially both legislative (shar'i) and habitual (jabali). The preponderant view is that it is legislative and an act of worship, so a Muslim should intend to emulate the Prophet (peace be upon him) in this sleep.

2. Emulating David (peace be upon him): You may intend to emulate David (peace be upon him) because the Prophet (peace be upon him) commanded us to emulate previous prophets.

3. The difference between taqleed (blind imitation) and ittiba' (following): The term "taqleed" is not used in reference to the Prophet (peace be upon him); rather, "ittiba' " is used. Taqleed is recourse to a statement for which its speaker has no proof, and it is forbidden in Islamic law. Ittiba', on the other hand, is what is supported by proof and is permissible in religion.

4. The Qiyam (night prayer) of David (peace be upon him): It is the best form of Qiyam, and the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to consistently perform it. His Qiyam consisted of praying in the middle third of the night, and sleeping in its first and last parts.

5. Intention of gaining strength for obedience: You can intend by your sleep—in any state—to gain strength for obedience to Allah the Almighty. By doing so, your sleep becomes an act of worship, as Mu'adh ibn Jabal (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "I seek reward for my sleep just as I seek reward for my standing (in prayer)."