How can we reconcile the scholars' statement that it was not narrated that the Prophet prolonged the standing (in prayer) during the day as it was narrated concerning the night, with the Companion's saying, "The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) was the longest in prayer among people, by himself," and his (peace be upon him) saying, "Let him prolong as he wishes"? Does the Companion's statement include all supererogatory prayers of both day and night? And did the Prophet prolong the standing in all supererogatory prayers without distinction, or did he only prolong the night prayer, excluding the supererogatory prayers of the day? And did he lighten the standing of the supererogatory prayers of the day?
The prolongation of the Prophet's prayers during the day was not described as extensively as their prolongation during the night, because night prayers are superior. This does not mean that he did not sometimes prolong his prayers during the day. This also does not contradict his saying: "Let him prolong as he wishes," nor does it contradict the fact that he was the one who prayed the longest for himself. What is meant by that is when he prolonged them, not that all his prayers were long.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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