How do we reconcile the preference for the prayer and fasting of David, peace be upon him, mentioned in the Hadith, with the fact that the Messenger of Allah's — may Allah bless him and grant him peace — standing in prayer (qiyam) and fasting were not of this description? And did the Prophet — may Allah bless him and grant him peace — sleep after the night vigil (qiyam al-layl) before Fajr? What was the description of his — may Allah bless him and grant him peace — night vigil in terms of time, number, and manner?

The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, did not adhere to the fasting and prayer of David so that his prayer would encompass the status of all prophets and to lighten the burden on the Ummah. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, was not bound by a specific description in his fasting, nor did he miss night prayer. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, used to sleep at dawn to rest, and his sleep resembled that of David, peace be upon him. The time of his night prayer varied; sometimes he would pray at the beginning of the night, or in the middle, or at the end. As for the number of rak'ahs in his night prayer, peace and blessings be upon him, it was thirteen rak'ahs, in addition to the two rak'ahs of the Fajr sunnah (definition) prayer.