Mehrab-e-Tahajjud

• Isa bin Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) said, “ When visitors used to depart at night, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) used to spread a mat behind Ali’ s (may Allah be pleased with him) hut and used to offer voluntary salah there. One day one person saw him offering voluntary salah at this spot during the month of Ramadhan. This person also started offering voluntary salah at this spot. Another person happened to pass this way and he started his salah also. A third person followed these two persons. By and by a large number of people gathered there. When the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) saw many people he wrapped up his praying mat and went away. When these people met Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) in the morning, they said, ‘ We were only trying to follow you in offering voluntary salah at night.’ The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) said, ‘ I was concerned about you very much. My concern was that Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) may make the offering of night salat during Ramadhan obligatory for you and you may fail to keep up with it’ .”