11 rak'ahs or 13 rak'ahs for night prayer? - Hadith Confusion

Salam. This website has been a great help into easing my doubts and confusions.

This time my question is…

There is a hadith that states that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) never exceeded 11 rak'ahs for the night prayer in Ramadan or any other month.

Then why are there other hadiths that state that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) prayed 13 rak'ahs for the night prayer?

If he never exceeded 11 rak'ahs, why is there a hadith contradicting that, saying he prayed 13 rak'ahs?

Are the 13 rak'ahs including the two rak'ah sunnah of Fajr?

In hadees night prayer means tahajud prayer.sometimes prophet Muhammad (PBUH)offers 8 rakah of tahajud and three rakah ot witer these were be 11 rak,ahs.and sometimes he offers 10 rak'ahs of tahajud and 3 witer then 13.

Thank you. I understand that, but it still doesn't answer my question.

Assalamualaikum sister.

Ibn Abbas narrated that prophet Muhammad (PBUH) performed night prayer in 13 rak'ah. It's mentioned in hadith riwayah Bukhari. But notice the explanation in the hadith below.

Narrated 'Aisha, "The Prophet (PBUH) used to offer thirteen Rakat of the night prayer and that included the Witr and two Rakat (Sunna) of the Fajr prayer" [HR Bukhari]

My suggestion is just follow an accepted madhab for practice. We have four accepted madhabs for practice in Sunni Islam.

Read the final verse of Quran, Chapter 73

Assalam-aleikum!

Thank you all for your replies. I have a curious brain and it keeps poking me to find answers. My main question was regarding the contradiction between the hadiths, so I am going to ask a scholar to help me because that would be easier

yes it is best way for you.