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

And from him, from Musa ibn Ja‘far al-Baghdadi, from Muhammad ibn al-Hasan ibn Shammun, from Ali ibn Muhammad al-Nawfali. He said: I heard him say: “Indeed, the servant stands for prayer at night, and drowsiness causes him to sway right and left, and his chin has fallen onto his chest. Then Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Exalted, commands the gates of the heavens to open, then says to the angels: ‘Look at My عز وجل servant, what he suffers in drawing near to Me عز وجل with that which I have not made obligatory upon him, hoping from Me عز وجل for one of three things: A sin I عز وجل may forgive for him, or a repentance I عز وجل may renew for him, or a sustenance I عز وجل may increase for him. Bear witness, O My عز وجل angels, that I have granted him all three.’”