The Legislated Ways of Praying Night Prayers in Ramadaan

The First Manner: consists of thirteen rak’aat, which is commenced with two short rak’aat. According to the most correct opinion, these are the two rak’aat of Sunnah prayer offered after ‘Ishaa, or they are two specific rak’aat by which one begins the Night prayer, as has been stated previously. Then one prays two very long rak’aat (after that). Then two more rak’aat are prayed, and then another two rak’aat are prayed. Then two more rak’aat are prayed and another set of two rak’aat are prayed. Then witr is made with one rak’ah

The Second Manner: consists of thirteen rak’aat, which one makes tasleem at the end of each pair of the first eight. Then witr is made with five rak’aat and one does not sit nor make the tasleem except in the fifth rak’ah.

The Third Manner: consists of eleven rak’aat, in which one makes tasleem after every two rak’aat and then prays witr at the end with one rak’ah.

The Fourth Manner: consists of eleven rak’aat, in which one prays four rak’aat and makes one tasleem after the four. Then he prays another four in a similar manner and ends it with three rak’aat (for witr).

The Fifth manner: consists of eleven rak’aat, in which one prays eight rak’aat and does not sit in any of them except for the eighth rak’ah. While sitting (in the eighth rak’ah), he makes the tashahhud and sends salaat on the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and then stands up again without making the tasleem. Then he makes witr with one rak’ah and when he finishes, he makes the tasleem. This consists of nine rak’aat. Then he prays two rak’aat after that while sitting.

 The Sixth Manner: One prays nine rak’aat, in which he does not sit except in the sixth rak’ah. Then he makes the tashahhud and sends salaat on the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) and then stands again without making the tasleem. Then he prays witr with one rak’ah and concludes with tasleem. Thereafter, he should pray two rak’aat while sitting[1]

After Ibn Khuzaymah mentioned a number of hadiths describing the manner of praying night prayer, he concluded: “One is permitted to pray any of the various numbers of rak’aat that the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) prayed, and in the manners that he did. No blame may be directed to the person who chooses to pray in any of these manners.”[2]

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[1] The Night Prayer in Ramadan, p. 28-29 by Shaykh al-Albaanee

[2] Saheeh Ibn Khuzaymah, 2/194