Chapter on the Manner of Prayer, Explanation of the Fifty-One Rak‘ahs; The Order, Recitation, Tasbih in Bowing and Prostration, Qunut, and What is Obligatory and Recommended Therein

Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Yahya, from Ali ibn Muhammad al-Qasani, from Sulayman ibn Hafs al-Marwazi, from the man of al-‘Askar, peace be upon him. Imam عليه السلام said: “When the night reaches its midpoint, a whiteness appears in the middle of the sky resembling an iron pillar, by which the world becomes illuminated. It remains for an hour and then disappears. Then darkness returns. When the final third of the night remains, a whiteness appears from the direction of the east, and the world is illuminated by it. It remains for an hour and then disappears. And that is the time of the night prayer. Then darkness returns before the true dawn, then the true dawn rises from the direction of the east.” Imam عليه السلام said: “Whoever wishes to pray at the middle of the night and prolong (his prayer), then that is for him.”