`Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) said: The Prophet (SAWS) would stand (in prayer) so long that the skin of his feet would crack. I asked him, "Why do you do this while your past and future sins have been forgiven?'' He said, "Should I not be a grateful slave of Allah?''
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
Commentary: The more one is rewarded by Allah, the greater the proportion of one's gratitude of Allah for His Benevolence should be. The best form of doing so is that one should not only be highly obedient and dutiful in the performance of the obligations but also add maximum voluntary prayers to them.