The night worship of Hadhrat Abu Bakr (May Allah be
well pleased with him)
The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) Himself praying in the night and
exhorting the Companions to do the same obviates its excellence and
importance. For this reason, the Companions would spend the night standing
before Allah
and worshipping Him. The Commander of the Faithful, the first
caliph of Islam, Hadhrat Abu Bakr (May Allah be well pleased with him) would
offer supererogatory Salaat in units of 2 (i.e. 2 Raka’at). As mentioned in this
Hadith of Kanz Ul ‘Ummaal:
Translation: It is narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Yahya bin Sa’eed (May
Allah be well pleased with him) that Hadhrat Abu Bakr (May Allah be well pleased
with him) would offer Salaat Ul Witr in the early part of the night and when he
would stand for Salaat, he would offer it as units of 2 Raka’at. (Kanz Ul ‘Ummaal,
Hadith No. 23389)