When ‘Aa’ishah informed the Prophet of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, about a woman who prays the entire night and does not sleep at all, he disapproved of it. ‘Urwah ibn Az-Zubayr (a Companion) narrated that ‘Aa’ishah the wife of the Messenger of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, told him that once Al-Hawlaa’ bint Tuwayt (a woman Companion) passed by her at the time when the Messenger of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, was with her.
Aa’ishah said:
‘ “I said to the Messenger of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, people claim that Al-Hawlaa’ bint Tuwayt does not sleep at night.’ Upon this the Messenger of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “She does not sleep at night! Choose an act that you are capable of doing [continuously]. By Allah, Allah would not grow weary, but you will grow weary.”
An-Nawawi said: “The term, “She does not sleep at night” was said by the Prophet of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, to show his disapproval of the act and to express how difficult she is on herself.