The Prophet ﷺ came out to them during Ramadan and led them in a brief prayer, then went back inside and prayed at length. He came out again and led them briefly, then went back inside and prayed at length.When morning came, we said, "Prophet of Allah, we sat waiting last night, and you came out to us and prayed briefly, then went inside and prayed at length?"He replied, "I did that for your sake."
أن النبي ﷺ خرج إليهم في رمضان فخفف بهم، ثم دخل فأطال، ثم خرج فخفف بهم، ثم دخل فأطال، فلما أصبحنا قلنا: يا نبي الله! جلسنا الليلة فخرجت إلينا فخففت، ثم دخلت فأطلت؟ قال: من أجلكم فعلت.
Ahmad narrated it (12570), and Harith in Bughyat Bahith (238), both from Aswad bin Amir, who said, Hammad bin Salama told us, from Thumama, from Anas, and he related it.Its chain is hasan because of Thumama, who is Ibn Abdullah bin Anas bin Malik Ansari Basri. He narrated from his grandfather Anas. Ibn Adi said, "He has hadiths from Anas, and I hope there is no harm in him, and his hadiths are close to those of others, and in my view he is acceptable in what he narrates from Anas." End of quote.Ahmad and Nasai and others deemed him trustworthy, but it is reported from Abu Yaala that Ibn Main indicated he should be considered daif. However, the two Shaykhs relied on the assessment of trustworthiness given by those who deemed him trustworthy, and so they narrated from him. His hadiths are hasan.Ahmad narrated it in other places as well (12918, 13213, 13821, 14102), through routes from Hammad bin Salama, with the same wording.Ahmad also narrated it (12005), and Bazzar in Kashf Astar (731), and Abu Yaala (3755), and Ibn Khuzayma (1627), through routes from Humayd bin Abu Humayd Tawil, from Anas, who said, the Prophet ﷺ was praying one night in his chamber. Some people came and prayed following his prayer. He shortened it and went into the house. Then he came out, and this happened repeatedly, each time he would pray. When morning came, they said, "Messenger of Allah, we prayed, and we would love for you to extend your prayer!" He said, "I knew about your presence, and I did that intentionally."Busiri said in Ithaf Khayra (2368), "Its chain is sahih."Regarding his words, "his chamber," Sindi said, "It seems apparent that what is meant by it is a screened-off space he made from a reed mat inside the masjid, so that he could pray there at night, not the chamber of the house."