[List of Contents - Rulings of prayer (Thozhugai sattangal book by MI Sulaiman)]
Night Prayer
Apart from the obligatory prayer, the prayer that is most special and beneficial which brings the most rewards is the night prayer.
أَخْبَرَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو عَوَانَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي بِشْرٍ، عَنْ حُمَيْدِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ، - هُوَ ابْنُ عَوْفٍ - عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " أَفْضَلُ الصِّيَامِ بَعْدَ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ شَهْرُ اللَّهِ الْمُحَرَّمُ وَأَفْضَلُ الصَّلاَةِ بَعْدَ الْفَرِيضَةِ صَلاَةُ اللَّيْلِ " .
It was narrated from Humaid bin 'Abdur-Rahman- that is Ibn 'Awf, that Abu Hurairah said:
"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'The best fasting after the month of Ramadan is the month of Allah, Al-Muharram, and the best prayer is prayer at night.'"
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 1613
In-book reference : Book 20, Hadith 16
English translation : Vol. 2, Book 20, Hadith 1614
URL reference : http://sunnah.com/nasai/20/16
حَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو عَوَانَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي بِشْرٍ، عَنْ حُمَيْدِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ الْحِمْيَرِيِّ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " أَفْضَلُ الصِّيَامِ بَعْدَ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ شَهْرُ اللَّهِ الْمُحَرَّمُ وَأَفْضَلُ الصَّلاَةِ بَعْدَ الْفَرِيضَةِ صَلاَةُ اللَّيْلِ " . قَالَ وَفِي الْبَابِ عَنْ جَابِرٍ وَبِلاَلٍ وَأَبِي أُمَامَةَ . قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى حَدِيثُ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ صَحِيحٌ . قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى وَأَبُو بِشْرٍ اسْمُهُ جَعْفَرُ بْنُ أَبِي وَحْشِيَّةَ وَاسْمُ أَبِي وَحْشِيَّةَ إِيَاسٌ .
Abu Hurairah narrated that:
Allah's Messenger (S) said: "The most virtuous fasting after the month of Ramadan is that of Allah's month of Al-Muharram. And the most virtuous Salat after the obligatory is the night prayer."
Grade : Sahih (Darussalam)
Reference : Jami` at-Tirmidhi 438
In-book reference : Book 2, Hadith 291
English translation : Vol. 1, Book 2, Hadith 438
URL reference : https://sunnah.com/tirmidhi/2/291
حَدَّثَنَا مُسَدَّدٌ، وَقُتَيْبَةُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو عَوَانَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي بِشْرٍ، عَنْ حُمَيْدِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " أَفْضَلُ الصِّيَامِ بَعْدَ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ شَهْرُ اللَّهِ الْمُحَرَّمُ وَإِنَّ أَفْضَلَ الصَّلاَةِ بَعْدَ الْمَفْرُوضَةِ صَلاَةٌ مِنَ اللَّيْلِ " . لَمْ يَقُلْ قُتَيْبَةُ " شَهْرِ " . قَالَ " رَمَضَانَ " .
Narrated Abu Hurairah:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) as saying: The most excellent fast after Ramadan is Allah's month al-Muharram, and the most excellent prayer after the prescribed prayer is the prayer during night.
Grade : Sahih (Al-Albani) صحيح (الألباني) حكم :
Reference : Sunan Abi Dawud 2429
In-book reference : Book 14, Hadith 117
English translation : Book 13, Hadith 2423
URL reference : https://sunnah.com/abudawud/14/117
There are many names given for the prayers which are offered at the night. 1.Salaat-ul-layl ( The prayer at night) 2. Qiyam-ul-layl (Standing in the night) 3. Witr (Odd numbered prayer) 4. Tahajjud (Waking up to pray); are the names observed in the hadiths.
The night prayers offered during the month of Ramadan in practice is being highlighted as ‘taraweeh’ prayers. This name is not available from the words of the Prophet.
The night prayers should be prayers in numbers of two. If one wants to finish the night prayer, then odd numbered prayer should be prayed in order to complete the night prayer.
حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ يُوسُفَ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنَا مَالِكٌ، عَنْ نَافِعٍ، وَعَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ دِينَارٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، أَنَّ رَجُلاً، سَأَلَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَنْ صَلاَةِ اللَّيْلِ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " صَلاَةُ اللَّيْلِ مَثْنَى مَثْنَى، فَإِذَا خَشِيَ أَحَدُكُمُ الصُّبْحَ صَلَّى رَكْعَةً وَاحِدَةً، تُوتِرُ لَهُ مَا قَدْ صَلَّى ".
Narrated Ibn `Umar:
Once a person asked Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) (ﷺ) about the night prayer. Allah's Apostle (ﷺ) replied, "The night prayer is offered as two Rak`at followed by two Rak`at and so on and if anyone is afraid of the approaching dawn (Fajr prayer) he should pray one Rak`ah and this will be a Witr for all the Rak`at which he has prayed before."
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 990
In-book reference : Book 14, Hadith 1
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 2, Book 16, Hadith 105
URL reference : http://sunnah.com/bukhari/14/1
The timing for night prayer:
From the time when isha prayer is completed until the time for fajr, this prayer can be offered. Prophet Muhammad (saws) has prayed in all these timings.
وَحَدَّثَنِي حَرْمَلَةُ بْنُ يَحْيَى، حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ وَهْبٍ، أَخْبَرَنِي عَمْرُو بْنُ الْحَارِثِ، عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، عَنْ عُرْوَةَ بْنِ الزُّبَيْرِ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، زَوْجِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَتْ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يُصَلِّي فِيمَا بَيْنَ أَنْ يَفْرُغَ مِنْ صَلاَةِ الْعِشَاءِ - وَهِيَ الَّتِي يَدْعُو النَّاسُ الْعَتَمَةَ - إِلَى الْفَجْرِ إِحْدَى عَشْرَةَ رَكْعَةً يُسَلِّمُ بَيْنَ كُلِّ رَكْعَتَيْنِ وَيُوتِرُ بِوَاحِدَةٍ فَإِذَا سَكَتَ الْمُؤَذِّنُ مِنْ صَلاَةِ الْفَجْرِ وَتَبَيَّنَ لَهُ الْفَجْرُ وَجَاءَهُ الْمُؤَذِّنُ قَامَ فَرَكَعَ رَكْعَتَيْنِ خَفِيفَتَيْنِ ثُمَّ اضْطَجَعَ عَلَى شِقِّهِ الأَيْمَنِ حَتَّى يَأْتِيَهُ الْمُؤَذِّنُ لِلإِقَامَةِ . وَحَدَّثَنِيهِ حَرْمَلَةُ، أَخْبَرَنَا ابْنُ وَهْبٍ، أَخْبَرَنِي يُونُسُ، عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، بِهَذَا الإِسْنَادِ . وَسَاقَ حَرْمَلَةُ الْحَدِيثَ بِمِثْلِهِ غَيْرَ أَنَّهُ لَمْ يَذْكُرْ وَتَبَيَّنَ لَهُ الْفَجْرُ وَجَاءَهُ الْمُؤَذِّنُ . وَلَمْ يَذْكُرِ الإِقَامَةَ . وَسَائِرُ الْحَدِيثِ بِمِثْلِ حَدِيثِ عَمْرٍو سَوَاءً .
'A'isha, the wife of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), said that between the time when the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) finished the 'Isha' prayer which is called 'Atama by the people, he used to pray eleven rak'ahs, uttering the salutation at the end of every two rak'ahs, and observing the Witr with a single one. And when the Mu'adhdhin had finished the call (for the) dawn prayer and he saw the dawn clearly and the Mu'adhdhin had come to him, he stood up and prayed two short rak'ahs. Then he lay down on his right side till the Mu'adhdhin came to him for lqama. (This hadith has been narrated with the same chain of transmitters by Ibn Shihab, but in it no mention has been made of Iqama )
Reference : Sahih Muslim 736 b-c
In-book reference : Book 6, Hadith 148
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 4, Hadith 1603
URL Reference : http://sunnah.com/muslim/6/148
حَدَّثَنَا سَعِيدُ بْنُ أَبِي مَرْيَمَ، أَخْبَرَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ، أَخْبَرَنِي شَرِيكُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ أَبِي نَمِرٍ، عَنْ كُرَيْبٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، قَالَ بِتُّ فِي بَيْتِ مَيْمُونَةَ لَيْلَةً وَالنَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم عِنْدَهَا لأَنْظُرَ كَيْفَ صَلاَةُ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم بِاللَّيْلِ، فَتَحَدَّثَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم مَعَ أَهْلِهِ سَاعَةً ثُمَّ رَقَدَ، فَلَمَّا كَانَ ثُلُثُ اللَّيْلِ الآخِرُ أَوْ بَعْضُهُ قَعَدَ فَنَظَرَ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ فَقَرَأَ {إِنَّ فِي خَلْقِ السَّمَوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ} إِلَى قَوْلِهِ {لأُولِي الأَلْبَابِ} ثُمَّ قَامَ فَتَوَضَّأَ وَاسْتَنَّ، ثُمَّ صَلَّى إِحْدَى عَشْرَةَ رَكْعَةً، ثُمَّ أَذَّنَ بِلاَلٌ بِالصَّلاَةِ فَصَلَّى رَكْعَتَيْنِ، ثُمَّ خَرَجَ فَصَلَّى لِلنَّاسِ الصُّبْحَ.
Narrated Ibn `Abbas:
Once I stayed overnight at the house of (my aunt ) Maimuna while the Prophet (ﷺ) was with her, to see how was the night prayer of Allah s Apostle Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) talked to his wife for a while and then slept. When it was the last third of the night (or part of it), the Prophet (ﷺ) got up and looked towards the sky and recited the Verse:-- 'Verily! In the creation of the Heavens and the Earth....there are indeed signs for the men of understanding.' (3.190) Then He got up and performed the ablution, brushed his teeth and offered eleven rak`at. Then Bilal pronounced the Adhan whereupon the Prophet (ﷺ) offered a two-rak`at (Sunna) prayer and went out to lead the people in Fajr (morning compulsory congregational prayer.
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 7452
In-book reference : Book 97, Hadith 78
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 9, Book 93, Hadith 544
URL Reference : http://sunnah.com/bukhari/97/78
حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ بْنُ حُمَيْدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو نُعَيْمٍ، حَدَّثَنَا إِسْمَاعِيلُ بْنُ مُسْلِمٍ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الْمُتَوَكِّلِ، أَنَّ ابْنَ عَبَّاسٍ، حَدَّثَهُ أَنَّهُ، بَاتَ عِنْدَ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ذَاتَ لَيْلَةٍ فَقَامَ نَبِيُّ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم مِنْ آخِرِ اللَّيْلِ فَخَرَجَ فَنَظَرَ فِي السَّمَاءِ ثُمَّ تَلاَ هَذِهِ الآيَةَ فِي آلِ عِمْرَانَ { إِنَّ فِي خَلْقِ السَّمَوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ وَاخْتِلاَفِ اللَّيْلِ وَالنَّهَارِ} حَتَّى بَلَغَ { فَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ} ثُمَّ رَجَعَ إِلَى الْبَيْتِ فَتَسَوَّكَ وَتَوَضَّأَ ثُمَّ قَامَ فَصَلَّى ثُمَّ اضْطَجَعَ ثُمَّ قَامَ فَخَرَجَ فَنَظَرَ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ فَتَلاَ هَذِهِ الآيَةَ ثُمَّ رَجَعَ فَتَسَوَّكَ فَتَوَضَّأَ ثُمَّ قَامَ فَصَلَّى .
Ibn 'Abbas reported that he spent a night at the house of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), The Apostle of Allah (way peace be upon him) got up for prayer in the latter part of the night. He went out and looked towards the sky and then recited this verse (190th) of AI-i-'Imran:
" Verily in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of night and day." up to the (words)" save us from the torment of Hell." He then returned to his house, used the tooth-stick, performed the ablution, and then got up and offered the prayer. He than lay down on the bed. and again got up and went out and looked towards the sky and recited this verse (mentioned above), then returned, used the tooth-stick, performed ablution and again offered the prayer.Reference : Sahih Muslim 256In-book reference : Book 2, Hadith 63
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 2, Hadith 494
URL Reference : https://sunnah.com/muslim/2/63
حَدَّثَنَا إِسْمَاعِيلُ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي مَالِكٌ، عَنْ مَخْرَمَةَ بْنِ سُلَيْمَانَ، عَنْ كُرَيْبٍ، مَوْلَى ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ أَنَّ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ عَبَّاسٍ، أَخْبَرَهُ أَنَّهُ، بَاتَ لَيْلَةً عِنْدَ مَيْمُونَةَ زَوْجِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَهِيَ خَالَتُهُ فَاضْطَجَعْتُ فِي عَرْضِ الْوِسَادَةِ، وَاضْطَجَعَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَأَهْلُهُ فِي طُولِهَا، فَنَامَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم حَتَّى إِذَا انْتَصَفَ اللَّيْلُ، أَوْ قَبْلَهُ بِقَلِيلٍ أَوْ بَعْدَهُ بِقَلِيلٍ، اسْتَيْقَظَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَجَلَسَ يَمْسَحُ النَّوْمَ عَنْ وَجْهِهِ بِيَدِهِ، ثُمَّ قَرَأَ الْعَشْرَ الآيَاتِ الْخَوَاتِمَ مِنْ سُورَةِ آلِ عِمْرَانَ، ثُمَّ قَامَ إِلَى شَنٍّ مُعَلَّقَةٍ، فَتَوَضَّأَ مِنْهَا فَأَحْسَنَ وُضُوءَهُ، ثُمَّ قَامَ يُصَلِّي. قَالَ ابْنُ عَبَّاسٍ فَقُمْتُ فَصَنَعْتُ مِثْلَ مَا صَنَعَ، ثُمَّ ذَهَبْتُ، فَقُمْتُ إِلَى جَنْبِهِ، فَوَضَعَ يَدَهُ الْيُمْنَى عَلَى رَأْسِي، وَأَخَذَ بِأُذُنِي الْيُمْنَى، يَفْتِلُهَا، فَصَلَّى رَكْعَتَيْنِ، ثُمَّ رَكْعَتَيْنِ، ثُمَّ رَكْعَتَيْنِ، ثُمَّ رَكْعَتَيْنِ، ثُمَّ رَكْعَتَيْنِ، ثُمَّ رَكْعَتَيْنِ، ثُمَّ أَوْتَرَ، ثُمَّ اضْطَجَعَ، حَتَّى أَتَاهُ الْمُؤَذِّنُ، فَقَامَ، فَصَلَّى رَكْعَتَيْنِ خَفِيفَتَيْنِ، ثُمَّ خَرَجَ فَصَلَّى الصُّبْحَ
Narrated `Abdullah bin `Abbas:
That he stayed overnight in the house of Maimuna the wife of the Prophet, his aunt. He added : I lay on the bed (cushion transversally) while Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) and his wife lay in the lengthwise direction of the cushion. Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) slept till the middle of the night, either a bit before or a bit after it and then woke up, rubbing the traces of sleep off his face with his hands. He then, recited the last ten verses of Sura Al-`Imran, got up and went to a hanging water-skin. He then Performed the ablution from it and it was a perfect ablution, and then stood up to offer the prayer. I, too, got up and did as the Prophet had done. Then I went and stood by his side. He placed his right hand on my head and caught my right ear and twisted it. He prayed two rak`at then two rak`at and two rak`at and then two rak`at and then two rak`at and then two rak`at (separately six times), and finally one rak`a (the witr). Then he lay down again in the bed till the Mu'adh-dhin came to him whereupon the Prophet (ﷺ) got up, offered a two light rak`at prayer and went out and led the Fajr prayer.
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 183
In-book reference : Book 4, Hadith 49
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 1, Book 4, Hadith 183
URL Reference : http://sunnah.com/bukhari/4/49
حَدَّثَنَا عُمَرُ بْنُ حَفْصٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا أَبِي قَالَ، حَدَّثَنَا الأَعْمَشُ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي مُسْلِمٌ، عَنْ مَسْرُوقٍ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، قَالَتْ كُلَّ اللَّيْلِ أَوْتَرَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَانْتَهَى وِتْرُهُ إِلَى السَّحَرِ.
Narrated `Aisha:
Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) offered witr prayer at different nights at various hours extending (from the `Isha' prayer) up to the last hour of the night.
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 996
In-book reference : Book 14, Hadith 7
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 2, Book 16, Hadith 110
URL Reference : http://sunnah.com/bukhari/14/7
The praying method:
حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ يُوسُفَ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنَا مَالِكٌ، عَنْ نَافِعٍ، وَعَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ دِينَارٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، أَنَّ رَجُلاً، سَأَلَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَنْ صَلاَةِ اللَّيْلِ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " صَلاَةُ اللَّيْلِ مَثْنَى مَثْنَى، فَإِذَا خَشِيَ أَحَدُكُمُ الصُّبْحَ صَلَّى رَكْعَةً وَاحِدَةً، تُوتِرُ لَهُ مَا قَدْ صَلَّى ".
Narrated Ibn `Umar:
Once a person asked Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) (ﷺ) about the night prayer. Allah's Apostle (ﷺ) replied, "The night prayer is offered as two Rak`at followed by two Rak`at and so on and if anyone is afraid of the approaching dawn (Fajr prayer) he should pray one Rak`ah and this will be a Witr for all the Rak`at which he has prayed before."
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 990
In-book reference : Book 14, Hadith 1
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 2, Book 16, Hadith 105
URL Reference : http://sunnah.com/bukhari/14/1
أَخْبَرَنَا أَحْمَدُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الْمُغِيرَةِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا عُثْمَانُ، عَنْ شُعَيْبٍ، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، عَنْ سَالِمٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، قَالَ سَأَلَ رَجُلٌ مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم كَيْفَ صَلاَةُ اللَّيْلِ فَقَالَ " صَلاَةُ اللَّيْلِ مَثْنَى مَثْنَى فَإِذَا خِفْتَ الصُّبْحَ فَأَوْتِرْ بِوَاحِدَةٍ " .
It was narrated that Ibn Umar said:
"A man from among the Muslims asked the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ): 'How are prayers at night to be done?' He said: 'prayers at night are (offered) two by two, then if you fear that dawn will come, pray witr with one.'"
Grade : Sahih (Darussalam)
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 1672
In-book reference : Book 20, Hadith 75
English translation : Vol. 2, Book 20, Hadith 1673
URL Reference : https://sunnah.com/nasai/20/75
أَخْبَرَنَا الْقَاسِمُ بْنُ زَكَرِيَّا بْنِ دِينَارٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا عُبَيْدُ اللَّهِ، عَنْ إِسْرَائِيلَ، عَنْ مَنْصُورٍ، عَنِ الْحَكَمِ، عَنْ مِقْسَمٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، عَنْ أُمِّ سَلَمَةَ، قَالَتْ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يُوتِرُ بِسَبْعٍ أَوْ بِخَمْسٍ وَلاَ يَفْصِلُ بَيْنَهُنَّ بِتَسْلِيمٍ .
Mansur reported from Al-Hakam, from Miqsam, from Ibn 'Abbas that Umm Salamah said:
"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to pray witr with seven or five (rak'ahs), not separating between them with the taslim."
Grade : Sahih (Darussalam)
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 1715
In-book reference : Book 20, Hadith 118
English translation : Vol. 2, Book 20, Hadith 1716
URL reference : http://sunnah.com/nasai/20/118
The count of Rak’ats:
8+3 Rak’ats:
حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ يُوسُفَ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنَا مَالِكٌ، عَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ الْمَقْبُرِيِّ، عَنْ أَبِي سَلَمَةَ بْنِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ، أَنَّهُ أَخْبَرَهُ أَنَّهُ، سَأَلَ عَائِشَةَ ـ رضى الله عنها ـ كَيْفَ كَانَتْ صَلاَةُ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِي رَمَضَانَ فَقَالَتْ مَا كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَزِيدُ فِي رَمَضَانَ وَلاَ فِي غَيْرِهِ عَلَى إِحْدَى عَشْرَةَ رَكْعَةً، يُصَلِّي أَرْبَعًا فَلاَ تَسَلْ عَنْ حُسْنِهِنَّ وَطُولِهِنَّ، ثُمَّ يُصَلِّي أَرْبَعًا فَلاَ تَسَلْ عَنْ حُسْنِهِنَّ وَطُولِهِنَّ، ثُمَّ يُصَلِّي ثَلاَثًا، قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ فَقُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَتَنَامُ قَبْلَ أَنْ تُوتِرَ. فَقَالَ " يَا عَائِشَةُ، إِنَّ عَيْنَىَّ تَنَامَانِ وَلاَ يَنَامُ قَلْبِي ".
Narrated Abu Salma bin `Abdur Rahman:
I asked `Aisha, "How is the prayer of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) during the month of Ramadan." She said, "Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) never exceeded eleven rak`at in Ramadan or in other months; he used to offer four rak`at-- do not ask me about their beauty and length, then four rak`at, do not ask me about their beauty and length, and then three rak`at." Aisha further said, "I said, 'O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! Do you sleep before offering the witr prayer?' He replied, 'O `Aisha! My eyes sleep but my heart remains awake'!"
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 1147
In-book reference : Book 19, Hadith 28
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 2, Book 21, Hadith 248
URL Reference : http://sunnah.com/bukhari/19/28
حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ يَحْيَى، قَالَ قَرَأْتُ عَلَى مَالِكٍ عَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ الْمَقْبُرِيِّ، عَنْ أَبِي سَلَمَةَ بْنِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ، أَنَّهُ سَأَلَ عَائِشَةَ كَيْفَ كَانَتْ صَلاَةُ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِي رَمَضَانَ قَالَتْ مَا كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَزِيدُ فِي رَمَضَانَ وَلاَ فِي غَيْرِهِ عَلَى إِحْدَى عَشْرَةَ رَكْعَةً يُصَلِّي أَرْبَعًا فَلاَ تَسْأَلْ عَنْ حُسْنِهِنَّ وَطُولِهِنَّ ثُمَّ يُصَلِّي أَرْبَعًا فَلاَ تَسْأَلْ عَنْ حُسْنِهِنَّ وَطُولِهِنَّ ثُمَّ يُصَلِّي ثَلاَثًا فَقَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ فَقُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَتَنَامُ قَبْلَ أَنْ تُوتِرَ فَقَالَ " يَا عَائِشَةُ إِنَّ عَيْنَىَّ تَنَامَانِ وَلاَ يَنَامُ قَلْبِي " .
Abu Salama b. Abd al-Rahman asked 'A'isha about the (night) prayer of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) during the month of Ramadan. She said:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) did not observe either in Ramadan or in other months more than eleven rak'ahs (of the night prayer). He (in the first instance) observed four rak'ahs. Ask not about their excellence and their length (i. e. these were matchless in perfection and length). He again observed four rak'ahs, and ask not about their excellence and their length. He would then observe three rak'ahs (of the Witr prayer). 'A'isha again said: I said: Messenger of Allah, do you sleep before observing the Witr prayer? He said: O 'A'isha, my eyes sleep but my heart does not sleep.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 738 a
In-book reference : Book 6, Hadith 152
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 4, Hadith 1607
URL reference : http://sunnah.com/muslim/6/152
12+1 Rak’ats:
حَدَّثَنَا إِسْمَاعِيلُ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي مَالِكٌ، عَنْ مَخْرَمَةَ بْنِ سُلَيْمَانَ، عَنْ كُرَيْبٍ، مَوْلَى ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ أَنَّ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ عَبَّاسٍ، أَخْبَرَهُ أَنَّهُ، بَاتَ لَيْلَةً عِنْدَ مَيْمُونَةَ زَوْجِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَهِيَ خَالَتُهُ فَاضْطَجَعْتُ فِي عَرْضِ الْوِسَادَةِ، وَاضْطَجَعَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَأَهْلُهُ فِي طُولِهَا، فَنَامَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم حَتَّى إِذَا انْتَصَفَ اللَّيْلُ، أَوْ قَبْلَهُ بِقَلِيلٍ أَوْ بَعْدَهُ بِقَلِيلٍ، اسْتَيْقَظَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَجَلَسَ يَمْسَحُ النَّوْمَ عَنْ وَجْهِهِ بِيَدِهِ، ثُمَّ قَرَأَ الْعَشْرَ الآيَاتِ الْخَوَاتِمَ مِنْ سُورَةِ آلِ عِمْرَانَ، ثُمَّ قَامَ إِلَى شَنٍّ مُعَلَّقَةٍ، فَتَوَضَّأَ مِنْهَا فَأَحْسَنَ وُضُوءَهُ، ثُمَّ قَامَ يُصَلِّي. قَالَ ابْنُ عَبَّاسٍ فَقُمْتُ فَصَنَعْتُ مِثْلَ مَا صَنَعَ، ثُمَّ ذَهَبْتُ، فَقُمْتُ إِلَى جَنْبِهِ، فَوَضَعَ يَدَهُ الْيُمْنَى عَلَى رَأْسِي، وَأَخَذَ بِأُذُنِي الْيُمْنَى، يَفْتِلُهَا، فَصَلَّى رَكْعَتَيْنِ، ثُمَّ رَكْعَتَيْنِ، ثُمَّ رَكْعَتَيْنِ، ثُمَّ رَكْعَتَيْنِ، ثُمَّ رَكْعَتَيْنِ، ثُمَّ رَكْعَتَيْنِ، ثُمَّ أَوْتَرَ، ثُمَّ اضْطَجَعَ، حَتَّى أَتَاهُ الْمُؤَذِّنُ، فَقَامَ، فَصَلَّى رَكْعَتَيْنِ خَفِيفَتَيْنِ، ثُمَّ خَرَجَ فَصَلَّى الصُّبْحَ.
Narrated `Abdullah bin `Abbas:
That he stayed overnight in the house of Maimuna the wife of the Prophet, his aunt. He added : I lay on the bed (cushion transversally) while Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) and his wife lay in the lengthwise direction of the cushion. Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) slept till the middle of the night, either a bit before or a bit after it and then woke up, rubbing the traces of sleep off his face with his hands. He then, recited the last ten verses of Sura Al-`Imran, got up and went to a hanging water-skin. He then Performed the ablution from it and it was a perfect ablution, and then stood up to offer the prayer. I, too, got up and did as the Prophet had done. Then I went and stood by his side. He placed his right hand on my head and caught my right ear and twisted it. He prayed two rak`at then two rak`at and two rak`at and then two rak`at and then two rak`at and then two rak`at (separately six times), and finally one rak`a (the witr). Then he lay down again in the bed till the Mu'adh-dhin came to him where upon the Prophet (ﷺ) got up, offered a two light rak`at prayer and went out and led the Fajr prayer.
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 183
In-book reference : Book 4, Hadith 49
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 1, Book 4, Hadith 183
URL Reference : http://sunnah.com/bukhari/4/49
حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ يَحْيَى، قَالَ قَرَأْتُ عَلَى مَالِكٍ عَنْ مَخْرَمَةَ بْنِ سُلَيْمَانَ، عَنْ كُرَيْبٍ، مَوْلَى ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ أَنَّ ابْنَ عَبَّاسٍ، أَخْبَرَهُ أَنَّهُ، بَاتَ لَيْلَةً عِنْدَ مَيْمُونَةَ أُمِّ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ - وَهِيَ خَالَتُهُ - قَالَ فَاضْطَجَعْتُ فِي عَرْضِ الْوِسَادَةِ وَاضْطَجَعَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَأَهْلُهُ فِي طُولِهَا فَنَامَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم حَتَّى انْتَصَفَ اللَّيْلُ أَوْ قَبْلَهُ بِقَلِيلٍ أَوْ بَعْدَهُ بِقَلِيلٍ اسْتَيْقَظَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَجَعَلَ يَمْسَحُ النَّوْمَ عَنْ وَجْهِهِ بِيَدِهِ ثُمَّ قَرَأَ الْعَشْرَ الآيَاتِ الْخَوَاتِمَ مِنْ سُورَةِ آلِ عِمْرَانَ ثُمَّ قَامَ إِلَى شَنٍّ مُعَلَّقَةٍ فَتَوَضَّأَ مِنْهَا فَأَحْسَنَ وُضُوءَهُ ثُمَّ قَامَ فَصَلَّى . قَالَ ابْنُ عَبَّاسٍ فَقُمْتُ فَصَنَعْتُ مِثْلَ مَا صَنَعَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ثُمَّ ذَهَبْتُ فَقُمْتُ إِلَى جَنْبِهِ فَوَضَعَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَدَهُ الْيُمْنَى عَلَى رَأْسِي وَأَخَذَ بِأُذُنِي الْيُمْنَى يَفْتِلُهَا فَصَلَّى رَكْعَتَيْنِ ثُمَّ رَكْعَتَيْنِ ثُمَّ رَكْعَتَيْنِ ثُمَّ رَكْعَتَيْنِ ثُمَّ رَكْعَتَيْنِ ثُمَّ رَكْعَتَيْنِ ثُمَّ أَوْتَرَ ثُمَّ اضْطَجَعَ حَتَّى جَاءَ الْمُؤَذِّنُ فَقَامَ فَصَلَّى رَكْعَتَيْنِ خَفِيفَتَيْنِ ثُمَّ خَرَجَ فَصَلَّى الصُّبْحَ .
Kuraib, the freed slave of Ibn `Abbas, reported that Ibn `Abbas narrated to him that he spent a night in the house of Maimuna, the mother of the believers, who was his mother's sister. I lay down across the cushion, whereas the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and his wife lay down on it length-wise. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) slept till midnight, or a little before midnight, or a little after midnight, and then got up and began to cast off the effects of sleep from his face by rubbing with his hand, and then recited the ten concluding verses of Surah Al-`Imran. He then stood up near a hanging water-skin and performed ablution well, and then stood up and prayed, Ibn `Abbas said:
I also stood up and did the same, as the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) had done, and then went to him and stood by his side. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) placed his right hand upon my head and took hold of my right ear and twisted it, and then observed a pair of rak`ahs, again a pair of rak`ahs, again a pair of rak`ahs, again a pair of rak`ahs, again a pair of rak`ahs, again a pair of rak`ahs, and then observed Witr and then lay down till the Mu'adhdhin came to him. He (the Holy Prophet) then stood up and observed two short rak`ahs, and then went out (to the mosque) and observed the dawn prayer.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 763 b
In-book reference : Book 6, Hadith 217
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 4, Hadith 1672
URL Reference : http://sunnah.com/muslim/6/217
حَدَّثَنَا مُسَدَّدٌ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى، عَنْ شُعْبَةَ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي أَبُو جَمْرَةَ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ قَالَ كَانَ صَلاَةُ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ثَلاَثَ عَشْرَةَ رَكْعَةً. يَعْنِي بِاللَّيْلِ.
Narrated Ibn `Abbas:
The prayer of the Prophet (ﷺ) used to be of thirteen rak`at, i.e. of the night prayer.
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 1138
In-book reference : Book 19, Hadith 19
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 2, Book 21, Hadith 239
URL Reference : http://sunnah.com/bukhari/19/19
حَدَّثَنِي هَارُونُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ الأَيْلِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ وَهْبٍ، حَدَّثَنَا عَمْرٌو، عَنْ عَبْدِ رَبِّهِ بْنِ سَعِيدٍ، عَنْ مَخْرَمَةَ بْنِ سُلَيْمَانَ، عَنْ كُرَيْبٍ، مَوْلَى ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، أَنَّهُ قَالَ نِمْتُ عِنْدَ مَيْمُونَةَ زَوْجِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَرَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم عِنْدَهَا تِلْكَ اللَّيْلَةَ فَتَوَضَّأَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ثُمَّ قَامَ فَصَلَّى فَقُمْتُ عَنْ يَسَارِهِ فَأَخَذَنِي فَجَعَلَنِي عَنْ يَمِينِهِ فَصَلَّى فِي تِلْكَ اللَّيْلَةِ ثَلاَثَ عَشْرَةَ رَكْعَةً ثُمَّ نَامَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم حَتَّى نَفَخَ وَكَانَ إِذَا نَامَ نَفَخَ ثُمَّ أَتَاهُ الْمُؤَذِّنُ فَخَرَجَ فَصَلَّى وَلَمْ يَتَوَضَّأْ . قَالَ عَمْرٌو فَحَدَّثْتُ بِهِ بُكَيْرَ بْنَ الأَشَجِّ فَقَالَ حَدَّثَنِي كُرَيْبٌ بِذَلِكَ .
Ibn `Abbas reported:
I slept (one night) in the house of Maimuna, the wife of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), and the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was with her that night. He (after sleeping for half of the night got up and) then performed ablution and then stood up and observed prayer. I too stood on his left side. He took hold of me and made me stand on his right side. He (the Holy Prophet) observed thirteen rak`ahs on that night. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) then slept and snored and it was a habit with him to snore while sleeping. The Mu'adhdhin then came to him (to inform him about the prayer). He then went out and observed prayer without performing ablution. (`Amr said: Bukair b. Ashajj had narrated it to me )
Reference : Sahih Muslim 763 d
In-book reference : Book 6, Hadith 219
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 4, Hadith 1674
URL Reference : http://sunnah.com/muslim/6/219
10+1 Rak’ats:
حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ يَحْيَى، قَالَ قَرَأْتُ عَلَى مَالِكٍ عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، عَنْ عُرْوَةَ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم كَانَ يُصَلِّي بِاللَّيْلِ إِحْدَى عَشْرَةَ رَكْعَةً يُوتِرُ مِنْهَا بِوَاحِدَةٍ فَإِذَا فَرَغَ مِنْهَا اضْطَجَعَ عَلَى شِقِّهِ الأَيْمَنِ حَتَّى يَأْتِيَهُ الْمُؤَذِّنُ فَيُصَلِّي رَكْعَتَيْنِ خَفِيفَتَيْنِ .
'A'isha reported that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to pray eleven rak'ahs at night, observing the Witr with a single rak'ah, and when he had finished them, he lay down on his right side, till the Mu'adhdhin came to him and he (the Holy Prophet) then observed two short rak'ahs (of Sunan of the dawn prayer).
Reference : Sahih Muslim 736 a
In-book reference : Book 6, Hadith 147
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 4, Hadith 1602
URL Reference : http://sunnah.com/muslim/6/147
5+8 Rak’ats
وَحَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، وَأَبُو كُرَيْبٍ قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ نُمَيْرٍ، ح وَحَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ نُمَيْرٍ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبِي، حَدَّثَنَا هِشَامٌ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، قَالَتْ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يُصَلِّي مِنَ اللَّيْلِ ثَلاَثَ عَشْرَةَ رَكْعَةً يُوتِرُ مِنْ ذَلِكَ بِخَمْسٍ لاَ يَجْلِسُ فِي شَىْءٍ إِلاَّ فِي آخِرِهَا .
'A'isha reported:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to observe thirteen rak'ahs of the night prayer. Five out of them consisted of Witr, and he did not sit, but at the end (for salutation).
Reference : Sahih Muslim 737 a
In-book reference : Book 6, Hadith 149
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 4, Hadith 1604
URL Reference : http://sunnah.com/muslim/6/149
9 Rak’ats
حَدَّثَنَا إِسْحَاقُ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا عُبَيْدُ اللَّهِ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنَا إِسْرَائِيلُ، عَنْ أَبِي حَصِينٍ، عَنْ يَحْيَى بْنِ وَثَّابٍ، عَنْ مَسْرُوقٍ، قَالَ سَأَلْتُ عَائِشَةَ ـ رضى الله عنها ـ عَنْ صَلاَةِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم بِاللَّيْلِ. فَقَالَتْ سَبْعٌ وَتِسْعٌ وَإِحْدَى عَشْرَةَ سِوَى رَكْعَتَىِ الْفَجْرِ.
Narrated Masruq:
I asked Aisha about the night prayer of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) and she said, "It was seven, nine or eleven rak`at besides the two rak`at of the Fajr prayer (i.e. Sunna). "
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 1139
In-book reference : Book 19, Hadith 20
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 2, Book 21, Hadith 240
URL Reference : http://sunnah.com/bukhari/19/20
7 Rak’ats
حَدَّثَنَا إِسْحَاقُ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا عُبَيْدُ اللَّهِ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنَا إِسْرَائِيلُ، عَنْ أَبِي حَصِينٍ، عَنْ يَحْيَى بْنِ وَثَّابٍ، عَنْ مَسْرُوقٍ، قَالَ سَأَلْتُ عَائِشَةَ ـ رضى الله عنها ـ عَنْ صَلاَةِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم بِاللَّيْلِ. فَقَالَتْ سَبْعٌ وَتِسْعٌ وَإِحْدَى عَشْرَةَ سِوَى رَكْعَتَىِ الْفَجْرِ.
Narrated Masruq:
I asked Aisha about the night prayer of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) and she said, "It was seven, nine or eleven rak`at besides the two rak`at of the Fajr prayer (i.e. Sunna). "
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 1139
In-book reference : Book 19, Hadith 20
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 2, Book 21, Hadith 240
URL Reference : http://sunnah.com/bukhari/19/20
5 Rak’ats
حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ الدِّمَشْقِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا الْفِرْيَابِيُّ، عَنِ الأَوْزَاعِيِّ، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، عَنْ عَطَاءِ بْنِ يَزِيدَ اللَّيْثِيِّ، عَنْ أَبِي أَيُّوبَ الأَنْصَارِيِّ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ قَالَ " الْوِتْرُ حَقٌّ فَمَنْ شَاءَ فَلْيُوتِرْ بِخَمْسٍ وَمَنْ شَاءَ فَلْيُوتِرْ بِثَلاَثٍ وَمَنْ شَاءَ فَلْيُوتِرْ بِوَاحِدَةٍ " .
It was narrated from Abu Ayyub Al-Ansari that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
“Witr is Haqq.* Whoever wishes let him pray Witr with five (Rak’ah), and whoever wishes let him pray Witr with three (Rak’ah), and whoever wishes let him pray Witr with one (Rak’ah).”
Grade : Sahih (Darussalam)
English reference : Vol. 1, Book 5, Hadith 1190
Arabic reference : Book 5, Hadith 1246
URL reference : http://sunnah.com/urn/1285380
قَالَ الْحَارِثُ بْنُ مِسْكِينٍ قِرَاءَةً عَلَيْهِ وَأَنَا أَسْمَعُ، عَنْ سُفْيَانَ، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، عَنْ عَطَاءِ بْنِ يَزِيدَ، عَنْ أَبِي أَيُّوبَ، قَالَ مَنْ شَاءَ أَوْتَرَ بِسَبْعٍ وَمَنْ شَاءَ أَوْتَرَ بِخَمْسٍ وَمَنْ شَاءَ أَوْتَرَ بِثَلاَثٍ وَمَنْ شَاءَ أَوْتَرَ بِوَاحِدَةٍ وَمَنْ شَاءَ أَوْمَأَ إِيمَاءً .
Sufyan narrated from Az-Zuhri, from 'Ata bin Yazid, from Abu Ayyub, who said:
"Whoever wants to pray witr with seven (rak'ahs) let him do so, and whoever wants to pray witr with five (rak'ahs) let him do so, and whoever wants to pray witr with three rak'ahs, let him do so; and whoever wants to pray witr with one rak'ah, let him do so, and wants to do so gesturing, let him do so.'"
Grade : Sahih (Darussalam)
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 1713
In-book reference : Book 20, Hadith 116
English translation : Vol. 2, Book 20, Hadith 1714
URL reference : http://sunnah.com/nasai/20/116
حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنُ الْمُبَارَكِ، حَدَّثَنِي قُرَيْشُ بْنُ حَيَّانَ الْعِجْلِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا بَكْرُ بْنُ وَائِلٍ، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، عَنْ عَطَاءِ بْنِ يَزِيدَ اللَّيْثِيِّ، عَنْ أَبِي أَيُّوبَ الأَنْصَارِيِّ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " الْوِتْرُ حَقٌّ عَلَى كُلِّ مُسْلِمٍ فَمَنْ أَحَبَّ أَنْ يُوتِرَ بِخَمْسٍ فَلْيَفْعَلْ وَمَنْ أَحَبَّ أَنْ يُوتِرَ بِثَلاَثٍ فَلْيَفْعَلْ وَمَنْ أَحَبَّ أَنْ يُوتِرَ بِوَاحِدَةٍ فَلْيَفْعَلْ " .
Narrated AbuAyyub al-Ansari:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: The witr is a duty for every Muslim so if anyone wishes to observe it with five rak'ahs, he may do so; if anyone wishes to observe it with three, he may do so, and if anyone wishes to observe it with one, he may do so.
Grade : Sahih (Al-Albani)
Reference : Sunan Abi Dawud 1422
In-book reference : Book 8, Hadith 7
English translation : Book 8, Hadith 1417
URL reference : http://sunnah.com/abudawud/8/7
3 Rak’ats:
حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ الدِّمَشْقِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا الْفِرْيَابِيُّ، عَنِ الأَوْزَاعِيِّ، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، عَنْ عَطَاءِ بْنِ يَزِيدَ اللَّيْثِيِّ، عَنْ أَبِي أَيُّوبَ الأَنْصَارِيِّ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ قَالَ " الْوِتْرُ حَقٌّ فَمَنْ شَاءَ فَلْيُوتِرْ بِخَمْسٍ وَمَنْ شَاءَ فَلْيُوتِرْ بِثَلاَثٍ وَمَنْ شَاءَ فَلْيُوتِرْ بِوَاحِدَةٍ " .
It was narrated from Abu Ayyub Al-Ansari that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
“Witr is Haqq.* Whoever wishes let him pray Witr with five (Rak’ah), and whoever wishes let him pray Witr with three (Rak’ah), and whoever wishes let him pray Witr with one (Rak’ah).”
Grade : Sahih (Darussalam)
English reference : Vol. 1, Book 5, Hadith 1190
Arabic reference : Book 5, Hadith 1246
URL reference : http://sunnah.com/urn/1285380
قَالَ الْحَارِثُ بْنُ مِسْكِينٍ قِرَاءَةً عَلَيْهِ وَأَنَا أَسْمَعُ، عَنْ سُفْيَانَ، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، عَنْ عَطَاءِ بْنِ يَزِيدَ، عَنْ أَبِي أَيُّوبَ، قَالَ مَنْ شَاءَ أَوْتَرَ بِسَبْعٍ وَمَنْ شَاءَ أَوْتَرَ بِخَمْسٍ وَمَنْ شَاءَ أَوْتَرَ بِثَلاَثٍ وَمَنْ شَاءَ أَوْتَرَ بِوَاحِدَةٍ وَمَنْ شَاءَ أَوْمَأَ إِيمَاءً .
Sufyan narrated from Az-Zuhri, from 'Ata bin Yazid, from Abu Ayyub, who said:
"Whoever wants to pray witr with seven (rak'ahs) let him do so, and whoever wants to pray witr with five (rak'ahs) let him do so, and whoever wants to pray witr with three rak'ahs, let him do so; and whoever wants to pray witr with one rak'ah, let him do so, and wants to do so gesturing, let him do so.'"
Grade : Sahih (Darussalam)
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 1713
In-book reference : Book 20, Hadith 116
English translation : Vol. 2, Book 20, Hadith 1714
URL reference : http://sunnah.com/nasai/20/116
حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنُ الْمُبَارَكِ، حَدَّثَنِي قُرَيْشُ بْنُ حَيَّانَ الْعِجْلِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا بَكْرُ بْنُ وَائِلٍ، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، عَنْ عَطَاءِ بْنِ يَزِيدَ اللَّيْثِيِّ، عَنْ أَبِي أَيُّوبَ الأَنْصَارِيِّ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " الْوِتْرُ حَقٌّ عَلَى كُلِّ مُسْلِمٍ فَمَنْ أَحَبَّ أَنْ يُوتِرَ بِخَمْسٍ فَلْيَفْعَلْ وَمَنْ أَحَبَّ أَنْ يُوتِرَ بِثَلاَثٍ فَلْيَفْعَلْ وَمَنْ أَحَبَّ أَنْ يُوتِرَ بِوَاحِدَةٍ فَلْيَفْعَلْ " .
Narrated AbuAyyub al-Ansari:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: The witr is a duty for every Muslim so if anyone wishes to observe it with five rak'ahs, he may do so; if anyone wishes to observe it with three, he may do so, and if anyone wishes to observe it with one, he may do so.
Grade : Sahih (Al-Albani)
Reference : Sunan Abi Dawud 1422
In-book reference : Book 8, Hadith 7
English translation : Book 8, Hadith 1417
URL reference : http://sunnah.com/abudawud/8/7
1 Rak’at:
حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ الدِّمَشْقِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا الْفِرْيَابِيُّ، عَنِ الأَوْزَاعِيِّ، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، عَنْ عَطَاءِ بْنِ يَزِيدَ اللَّيْثِيِّ، عَنْ أَبِي أَيُّوبَ الأَنْصَارِيِّ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ قَالَ " الْوِتْرُ حَقٌّ فَمَنْ شَاءَ فَلْيُوتِرْ بِخَمْسٍ وَمَنْ شَاءَ فَلْيُوتِرْ بِثَلاَثٍ وَمَنْ شَاءَ فَلْيُوتِرْ بِوَاحِدَةٍ " .
It was narrated from Abu Ayyub Al-Ansari that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
“Witr is Haqq.* Whoever wishes let him pray Witr with five (Rak’ah), and whoever wishes let him pray Witr with three (Rak’ah), and whoever wishes let him pray Witr with one (Rak’ah).”
Grade : Sahih (Darussalam)
English reference : Vol. 1, Book 5, Hadith 1190
Arabic reference : Book 5, Hadith 1246
URL reference : http://sunnah.com/urn/1285380
قَالَ الْحَارِثُ بْنُ مِسْكِينٍ قِرَاءَةً عَلَيْهِ وَأَنَا أَسْمَعُ، عَنْ سُفْيَانَ، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، عَنْ عَطَاءِ بْنِ يَزِيدَ، عَنْ أَبِي أَيُّوبَ، قَالَ مَنْ شَاءَ أَوْتَرَ بِسَبْعٍ وَمَنْ شَاءَ أَوْتَرَ بِخَمْسٍ وَمَنْ شَاءَ أَوْتَرَ بِثَلاَثٍ وَمَنْ شَاءَ أَوْتَرَ بِوَاحِدَةٍ وَمَنْ شَاءَ أَوْمَأَ إِيمَاءً .
Sufyan narrated from Az-Zuhri, from 'Ata bin Yazid, from Abu Ayyub, who said:
"Whoever wants to pray witr with seven (rak'ahs) let him do so, and whoever wants to pray witr with five (rak'ahs) let him do so, and whoever wants to pray witr with three rak'ahs, let him do so; and whoever wants to pray witr with one rak'ah, let him do so, and wants to do so gesturing, let him do so.'"
Grade : Sahih (Darussalam)
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 1713
In-book reference : Book 20, Hadith 116
English translation : Vol. 2, Book 20, Hadith 1714
URL reference : http://sunnah.com/nasai/20/116
حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنُ الْمُبَارَكِ، حَدَّثَنِي قُرَيْشُ بْنُ حَيَّانَ الْعِجْلِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا بَكْرُ بْنُ وَائِلٍ، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، عَنْ عَطَاءِ بْنِ يَزِيدَ اللَّيْثِيِّ، عَنْ أَبِي أَيُّوبَ الأَنْصَارِيِّ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " الْوِتْرُ حَقٌّ عَلَى كُلِّ مُسْلِمٍ فَمَنْ أَحَبَّ أَنْ يُوتِرَ بِخَمْسٍ فَلْيَفْعَلْ وَمَنْ أَحَبَّ أَنْ يُوتِرَ بِثَلاَثٍ فَلْيَفْعَلْ وَمَنْ أَحَبَّ أَنْ يُوتِرَ بِوَاحِدَةٍ فَلْيَفْعَلْ " .
Narrated AbuAyyub al-Ansari:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: The witr is a duty for every Muslim so if anyone wishes to observe it with five rak'ahs, he may do so; if anyone wishes to observe it with three, he may do so, and if anyone wishes to observe it with one, he may do so.
Grade : Sahih (Al-Albani)
Reference : Sunan Abi Dawud 1422
In-book reference : Book 8, Hadith 7
English translation : Book 8, Hadith 1417
URL reference : http://sunnah.com/abudawud/8/7
Witr prayer method:
In witr prayer in every rak’at, Surah-Fatiha along with its accompanying surah has to be recited.
أَخْبَرَنَا إِسْحَاقُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، قَالَ أَنْبَأَنَا عِيسَى بْنُ يُونُسَ، عَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ أَبِي عَرُوبَةَ، عَنْ قَتَادَةَ، عَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ أَبْزَى، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ أُبَىِّ بْنِ كَعْبٍ، قَالَ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقْرَأُ فِي الرَّكْعَةِ الأُولَى مِنَ الْوَتْرِ بِـ { سَبِّحِ اسْمَ رَبِّكَ الأَعْلَى } وَفِي الثَّانِيَةِ بِـ { قُلْ يَا أَيُّهَا الْكَافِرُونَ } وَفِي الثَّالِثَةِ بِـ { قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ }
It was narrated that Ubayy bin Ka'b said:
"In the first rak'ah of witr, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to recite: "GLorify the Name of your Lord, the Most High;" in the second; "Say: O you disbelievers!" and in the third; "Say: He is Allah, (the) One."
Grade : Sahih (Darussalam)
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 1700
In-book reference : Book 20, Hadith 103
English translation : Vol. 2, Book 20, Hadith 1701
URL reference : https://sunnah.com/nasai/20/103
أَخْبَرَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ مَيْمُونٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا مَخْلَدُ بْنُ يَزِيدَ، عَنْ سُفْيَانَ، عَنْ زُبَيْدٍ، عَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ أَبْزَى، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ أُبَىِّ بْنِ كَعْبٍ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم كَانَ يُوتِرُ بِثَلاَثِ رَكَعَاتٍ كَانَ يَقْرَأُ فِي الأُولَى بِـ { سَبِّحِ اسْمَ رَبِّكَ الأَعْلَى } وَفِي الثَّانِيَةِ بِـ { قُلْ يَا أَيُّهَا الْكَافِرُونَ } وَفِي الثَّالِثَةِ بِـ { قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ } وَيَقْنُتُ قَبْلَ الرُّكُوعِ فَإِذَا فَرَغَ قَالَ عِنْدَ فَرَاغِهِ " سُبْحَانَ الْمَلِكِ الْقُدُّوسِ " . ثَلاَثَ مَرَّاتٍ يُطِيلُ فِي آخِرِهِنَّ .
It was narrated from Ubayy bin Ka'b that:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to pray witr with three rak'ahs. In the first he would recite: "Glorify the Name of Your Lord, the Most High" in the second: "Say: O you disbelievers!", and in the third: "Say: He is Allah, (the) One". And he would say the Qunut before bowing, and when he finished he would say: Subhanal-Malikil-Quddus (Glory be to the Sovereign, the Most Holy) three times, elongating the words the last time.
Grade : Sahih (Darussalam)
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 1699
In-book reference : Book 20, Hadith 102
English translation : Vol. 2, Book 20, Hadith 1700
URL reference : https://sunnah.com/nasai/20/102
While praying witr of three rak’at, in the second rak’at one should get back to standing position without sitting after sajdah (i.e no tashahud for the second rak’at). It is only in the third rak’at, one can sit to recite the necessary duas and the salam be given.
It was narrated from Narrated Abu Huraira:
Prophet Muhammad (saws) said: “Do not pray three rak’ats witr! Do not pray witr with three rak’ats like Maghrib!”
In-book reference : Al Daraqutni (Part : 2, Page: 25), Ibnu Hibban (Part: 6, Page: 185)
It was narrated from Narrated `Aisha:
Prophet Muhammad (saws) would pray three rak’ats witr. In that, except for the last rak’at, he would not sit for any other rak’ats.
In-book reference : Al Bayhaqi (Part : 3, Page: 28)
Qunoot:
In the final rak’at of witr prayer, either before (bowing) rukoo or after (bowing) rukoo, the Qunut that was taught by the Prophet Muhammad (saws) needs to be read. From the Prophet’s way of practice there is no evidence to raise hands while reading Qunut.
أَخْبَرَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ مَيْمُونٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا مَخْلَدُ بْنُ يَزِيدَ، عَنْ سُفْيَانَ، عَنْ زُبَيْدٍ، عَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ أَبْزَى، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ أُبَىِّ بْنِ كَعْبٍ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم كَانَ يُوتِرُ بِثَلاَثِ رَكَعَاتٍ كَانَ يَقْرَأُ فِي الأُولَى بِـ { سَبِّحِ اسْمَ رَبِّكَ الأَعْلَى } وَفِي الثَّانِيَةِ بِـ { قُلْ يَا أَيُّهَا الْكَافِرُونَ } وَفِي الثَّالِثَةِ بِـ { قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ } وَيَقْنُتُ قَبْلَ الرُّكُوعِ فَإِذَا فَرَغَ قَالَ عِنْدَ فَرَاغِهِ " سُبْحَانَ الْمَلِكِ الْقُدُّوسِ " . ثَلاَثَ مَرَّاتٍ يُطِيلُ فِي آخِرِهِنَّ .
It was narrated from Ubayy bin Ka'b that:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to pray witr with three rak'ahs. In the first he would recite: "Glorify the Name of Your Lord, the Most High" in the second: "Say: O you disbelievers!", and in the third: "Say: He is Allah, (the) One". And he would say the Qunut before bowing, and when he finished he would say: Subhanal-Malikil-Quddus (Glory be to the Sovereign, the Most Holy) three times, elongating the words the last time.
Grade : Sahih (Darussalam)
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 1699
In-book reference : Book 20, Hadith 102
English translation : Vol. 2, Book 20, Hadith 1700
URL reference : http://sunnah.com/nasai/20/102
It was narrated from Hasan ibn Ali that:
I while raising head (after rukoo) - when nothing was left except for sajdah, Prophet Muhammad (saws) taught to read the Qunut “Allahummahdhini..”
Reference : Hakim 4800
Qunoot’s reading:
أَخْبَرَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الأَحْوَصِ، عَنْ أَبِي إِسْحَاقَ، عَنْ بُرَيْدٍ، عَنْ أَبِي الْحَوْرَاءِ، قَالَ قَالَ الْحَسَنُ عَلَّمَنِي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم كَلِمَاتٍ أَقُولُهُنَّ فِي الْوَتْرِ فِي الْقُنُوتِ " اللَّهُمَّ اهْدِنِي فِيمَنْ هَدَيْتَ وَعَافِنِي فِيمَنْ عَافَيْتَ وَتَوَلَّنِي فِيمَنْ تَوَلَّيْتَ وَبَارِكْ لِي فِيمَا أَعْطَيْتَ وَقِنِي شَرَّ مَا قَضَيْتَ إِنَّكَ تَقْضِي وَلاَ يُقْضَى عَلَيْكَ وَإِنَّهُ لاَ يَذِلُّ مَنْ وَالَيْتَ تَبَارَكْتَ رَبَّنَا وَتَعَالَيْتَ " .
It was narrated that Abu Al-Jawza said:
"Al-Hasan said: "The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) taught me some words to say in witr in Qunut: Allahumma ihdini fiman hadayta wa 'afini fiman afayta wa tawallani fiman tawallayta wa barik li fima a'tayta, wa qini sharra ma qadayta, fa innaka taqdi wa la yuqda 'alayk, wa innahu la yadhilluman walayta, tabarakta Rabbana wa at'alayt (O Allah, guide me among those whom You have guided, pardon me among those You have pardoned, turn to me in friendship among those on whom You have turned in friendship, and bless me in what You have bestowed, and save me from the evil of what You have decreed. For verily You decree and none can influence You; and he is not humiliated whom You have befriended. Blessed are You, O Lord, and Exalted.)'"
Grade : Sahih (Darussalam)
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 1745
In-book reference : Book 20, Hadith 148
English translation : Vol. 2, Book 20, Hadith 1746
URL reference : http://sunnah.com/nasai/20/148
حَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الأَحْوَصِ، عَنْ أَبِي إِسْحَاقَ، عَنْ بُرَيْدِ بْنِ أَبِي مَرْيَمَ، عَنْ أَبِي الْحَوْرَاءِ السَّعْدِيِّ، قَالَ قَالَ الْحَسَنُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ رضى الله عَنْهُمَا عَلَّمَنِي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم كَلِمَاتٍ أَقُولُهُنَّ فِي الْوِتْرِ " اللَّهُمَّ اهْدِنِي فِيمَنْ هَدَيْتَ وَعَافِنِي فِيمَنْ عَافَيْتَ وَتَوَلَّنِي فِيمَنْ تَوَلَّيْتَ وَبَارِكْ لِي فِيمَا أَعْطَيْتَ وَقِنِي شَرَّ مَا قَضَيْتَ فَإِنَّكَ تَقْضِي وَلاَ يُقْضَى عَلَيْكَ وَإِنَّهُ لاَ يَذِلُّ مَنْ وَالَيْتَ تَبَارَكْتَ رَبَّنَا وَتَعَالَيْتَ " . قَالَ وَفِي الْبَابِ عَنْ عَلِيٍّ . قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى هَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ لاَ نَعْرِفُهُ إِلاَّ مِنْ هَذَا الْوَجْهِ مِنْ حَدِيثِ أَبِي الْحَوْرَاءِ السَّعْدِيِّ وَاسْمُهُ رَبِيعَةُ بْنُ شَيْبَانَ . وَلاَ نَعْرِفُ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِي الْقُنُوتِ فِي الْوِتْرِ شَيْئًا أَحْسَنَ مِنْ هَذَا . وَاخْتَلَفَ أَهْلُ الْعِلْمِ فِي الْقُنُوتِ فِي الْوِتْرِ فَرَأَى عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ مَسْعُودٍ الْقُنُوتَ فِي الْوِتْرِ فِي السَّنَةِ كُلِّهَا وَاخْتَارَ الْقُنُوتَ قَبْلَ الرُّكُوعِ . وَهُوَ قَوْلُ بَعْضِ أَهْلِ الْعِلْمِ وَبِهِ يَقُولُ سُفْيَانُ الثَّوْرِيُّ وَابْنُ الْمُبَارَكِ وَإِسْحَاقُ وَأَهْلُ الْكُوفَةِ . وَقَدْ رُوِيَ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ أَنَّهُ كَانَ لاَ يَقْنُتُ إِلاَّ فِي النِّصْفِ الآخِرِ مِنْ رَمَضَانَ وَكَانَ يَقْنُتُ بَعْدَ الرُّكُوعِ . وَقَدْ ذَهَبَ بَعْضُ أَهْلِ الْعِلْمِ إِلَى هَذَا وَبِهِ يَقُولُ الشَّافِعِيُّ وَأَحْمَدُ .
Al-Hasan bin Ali [may Allah be pleased with him] said:
"Allah's Messenger taught me some phrases to say during Al-Witr (Allahummahdini fiman hadait, wa a'fini fiman afait, wa tawallani fiman tawallait, wa barik Li fima atait, wa qini sharra ma qadait, fa Innaka taqdi wa la yuqda Alaik, wa innahu la yadhillu man walait, tabarakta Rabbana wa ta'alait.) 'O Allah guide me among those You have guided, pardon me among those You have pardoned, befriend me among those You have befriended, bless me in what You have granted, and save me from the evil that You decreed. Indeed You decree, and none can pass decree, and none can pass decree upon You, indeed he is not humiliated whom You have befriended, blessed are You our Lord and Exalted.'"
Grade : Sahih (Darussalam)
Reference : Jami` at-Tirmidhi 464
In-book reference : Book 3, Hadith 12
English translation : Vol. 1, Book 3, Hadith 464
URL reference : http://sunnah.com/tirmidhi/3/12
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا حُمَيْدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ، عَنْ زُهَيْرٍ، عَنْ مَنْصُورٍ، عَنِ الْحَكَمِ، عَنْ مِقْسَمٍ، عَنْ أُمِّ سَلَمَةَ، قَالَتْ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ يُوتِرُ بِسَبْعٍ أَوْ بِخَمْسٍ لاَ يَفْصِلُ بَيْنَهُنَّ بِتَسْلِيمٍ وَلاَ كَلاَمٍ .
It was narrated that Umm Salamah said:
“The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to pray Witr with seven or five Rak’ah, and he would not say Salam or speak in between them.”
Grade : Sahih (Darussalam)
English reference : Vol. 1, Book 5, Hadith 1192
Arabic reference : Book 5, Hadith 1248
URL reference : http://sunnah.com/urn/1285400
أَخْبَرَنَا إِسْحَاقُ بْنُ مَنْصُورٍ، قَالَ أَنْبَأَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ، عَنْ سُفْيَانَ، عَنْ هِشَامِ بْنِ عُرْوَةَ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم كَانَ يُوتِرُ بِخَمْسٍ وَلاَ يَجْلِسُ إِلاَّ فِي آخِرِهِنَّ .
Hisham bin Urwah narrated from his father, from Aishah, that:
The Prophet (ﷺ) used to pray witr with five and he did not sit except in the last (rak'ah) of them.
Grade : Sahih (Darussalam)
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 1717
In-book reference : Book 20, Hadith 120
English translation : Vol. 2, Book 20, Hadith 1718
URL reference : http://sunnah.com/nasai/20/120
أَخْبَرَنَا إِسْمَاعِيلُ بْنُ مَسْعُودٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا خَالِدٌ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، عَنْ قَتَادَةَ، عَنْ زُرَارَةَ بْنِ أَوْفَى، عَنْ سَعْدِ بْنِ هِشَامٍ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، قَالَتْ لَمَّا أَسَنَّ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَأَخَذَ اللَّحْمَ صَلَّى سَبْعَ رَكَعَاتٍ لاَ يَقْعُدُ إِلاَّ فِي آخِرِهِنَّ وَصَلَّى رَكْعَتَيْنِ وَهُوَ قَاعِدٌ بَعْدَ مَا يُسَلِّمُ فَتِلْكَ تِسْعٌ يَا بُنَىَّ وَكَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم إِذَا صَلَّى صَلاَةً أَحَبَّ أَنْ يُدَاوِمَ عَلَيْهَا . مُخْتَصَرٌ . خَالَفَهُ هِشَامٌ الدَّسْتَوَائِيُّ .
Shu'bah narrated from Qatadah, from Zurarahbin Awfa, from Sa'd bin Hisham, that:
Aishah said: "When the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) grew old and put on weight, he prayed seven rak'ahs and only sat in the last of them, and he prayed two rak'ahs while sitting after saying the taslim, and that was nine, O my son! And when the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) offered any prayer he liked to persist in doing so."
Grade : Hasan (Darussalam)
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 1718
In-book reference : Book 20, Hadith 121
English translation : Vol. 2, Book 20, Hadith 1719
URL reference : http://sunnah.com/nasai/20/121
أَخْبَرَنَا زَكَرِيَّا بْنُ يَحْيَى، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا إِسْحَاقُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا مُعَاذُ بْنُ هِشَامٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي أَبِي، عَنْ قَتَادَةَ، عَنْ زُرَارَةَ بْنِ أَوْفَى، عَنْ سَعْدِ بْنِ هِشَامٍ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، قَالَتْ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم إِذَا أَوْتَرَ بِتِسْعِ رَكَعَاتٍ لَمْ يَقْعُدْ إِلاَّ فِي الثَّامِنَةِ فَيَحْمَدُ اللَّهَ وَيَذْكُرُهُ وَيَدْعُو ثُمَّ يَنْهَضُ وَلاَ يُسَلِّمُ ثُمَّ يُصَلِّي التَّاسِعَةَ فَيَجْلِسُ فَيَذْكُرُ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ وَيَدْعُو ثُمَّ يُسَلِّمُ تَسْلِيمَةً يُسْمِعُنَا ثُمَّ يُصَلِّي رَكْعَتَيْنِ وَهُوَ جَالِسٌ فَلَمَّا كَبِرَ وَضَعُفَ أَوْتَرَ بِسَبْعِ رَكَعَاتٍ لاَ يَقْعُدُ إِلاَّ فِي السَّادِسَةِ ثُمَّ يَنْهَضُ وَلاَ يُسَلِّمُ فَيُصَلِّي السَّابِعَةَ ثُمَّ يُسَلِّمُ تَسْلِيمَةً ثُمَّ يُصَلِّي رَكْعَتَيْنِ وَهُوَ جَالِسٌ .
Mu'adh bin Hisham said:
"My father narrated to me, from Qatadah, from Zurarah bin Awfa, from Sa'd bin Hisham, that Aishah said: 'When the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) prayed witr with nine rak'ahs, he did not sit until the eighth rak'ah. Then he would praise Allah (SWT) and remember Him and supplicate, then he would get up and he wouldn't say the taslim, then he prayed the ninth, then he sat and remembered Allah (SWT) and supplicated. Then he said a taslim that we could hear. Then he prayed two rak'ahs sitting down. Then When he grew older and weaker, he prayed witr with seven rak'ahs and did not sit until the sixth. he got up and did not say the taslim, and prayed the seventh, then he said the taslim, then he prayed two rak'ahs sitting down.'"
Grade : Sahih (Darussalam)
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 1719
In-book reference : Book 20, Hadith 122
English translation : Vol. 2, Book 20, Hadith 1720
URL reference : http://sunnah.com/nasai/20/122
Is it 20 rak’ats?:
The night prayer, which is also called by people as taraweeh is argued to be of 20 rak’ats by some. To support it the following hadith is shown as proof.
It was narrated that Ibn Abbas(rah) has stated:
Verily in the month of Ramadhan, The Prophet used to pray 20 Rakats and Witr independent from any congregation.
In-book reference : Baihaqi 4391
This is the only hadith that relates taraweeh to be of 20 rak’ats with Prophet Muhammad (saws). But, “This hadith is not authentic” as clarified by Imam Bayhaqi himself who recorded this hadith. Abu Shayba from this hadith is mentioned to be as weak in the footnote of this hadith itself.
Next, the evidence put forth is related to Umar (rah).
وَحَدَّثَنِي عَنْ مَالِكٍ، عَنْ يَزِيدَ بْنِ رُومَانَ، أَنَّهُ قَالَ كَانَ النَّاسُ يَقُومُونَ فِي زَمَانِ عُمَرَ بْنِ الْخَطَّابِ فِي رَمَضَانَ بِثَلاَثٍ وَعِشْرِينَ رَكْعَةً .
Yahya related to me from Malik that Yazid ibn Ruman said, "The people used to watch the night in prayer during Ramadan for twenty- three rakas (20+3 witr) in the time of Umar ibn al-Khattab."
In-book reference : Muwatta Malik 233
Sunnah.com reference : Book 6, Hadith 5
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 6, Hadith 5
Arabic reference : Book 6, Hadith 251
URL reference : http://sunnah.com/malik/6/5
In the commentary of this hadith, Imam Bayhaqi says that Yazid bin Rumaan here had not been captured during the lifetime of Umar (rah). That is, he was not born during the lifetime of Umar (rah), is being mentioned in the book “Alma’reefa” by Saylayee of hanafi madhab (Book: Nasabur Raya, Part: 2, Page: 154).
One who had not born during the lifetime of Umar (rah), how could he say a news that had occurred during the time of Umar (rah)? Therefore, this hadith is also a weak one.
Moreover, contrary to this, there is an authentic hadith that Umar (rah) commanded that 8+3 rak’ats of prayer to be offered, mentioned by Imam Malik in his book Al Muwatta.
وَحَدَّثَنِي عَنْ مَالِكٍ، عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ يُوسُفَ، عَنِ السَّائِبِ بْنِ يَزِيدَ، أَنَّهُ قَالَ أَمَرَ عُمَرُ بْنُ الْخَطَّابِ أُبَىَّ بْنَ كَعْبٍ وَتَمِيمًا الدَّارِيَّ أَنْ يَقُومَا، لِلنَّاسِ بِإِحْدَى عَشْرَةَ رَكْعَةً قَالَ وَقَدْ كَانَ الْقَارِئُ يَقْرَأُ بِالْمِئِينَ حَتَّى كُنَّا نَعْتَمِدُ عَلَى الْعِصِيِّ مِنْ طُولِ الْقِيَامِ وَمَا كُنَّا نَنْصَرِفُ إِلاَّ فِي فُرُوعِ الْفَجْرِ .
Yahya related to me from Malik from Muhammad ibn Yusuf that as- Sa'ib ibn Yazid said, "Umar ibn al-Khattab ordered Ubayy ibn Kab and Tamim ad-Dari to watch the night in prayer with the people for eleven rakas (8+3 witr).The reciter of the Qur'an would recite the Mi'in (a group of medium-sized suras) until we would be leaning on our staffs from having stood so long in prayer. And we would not leave until the approach of dawn."
In-book reference : Muwatta Malik 232
Sunnah.com reference : Book 6, Hadith 4
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 6, Hadith 4
Arabic reference : Book 6, Hadith 250
URL reference : http://sunnah.com/malik/6/4
From the hadith that people prayed during the time of Umar (rah) and the hadith that Umar (rah) had commanded to pray, among these two hadiths which one does Umar (rah) relate to? In the hadith that people prayed, how is Umar (rah) related? It is indeed the hadith where Umar (rah) had commanded that 8+3 rak’ats to be prayed is the one where he is directly and clearly related with. It is also aligned with the Prophet Muhammad (saws) way of practice.
For the sake of argument even if Umar (rah) had prayed 20 rak’ats, Muslims are duty bound to follow Prophet Muhammad (saws) was of practice only. Regardless of who does it, an act that is contrary to the Prophet Muhammad (saws) practice shall not become part of the religion.
Henceforth, it is affirmed that there is no authentic hadith to prove that there are 20 rak’ats for the night prayer.
Translated by: Abu Abdul Baari and Ummu Abdul Baari
The original source (Tamizh): https://www.facebook.com/notes/thowheed-translations/tamizh-regarding-night-prayer-qunut-and-20-rakats/218301992014467/
The original source (Tamizh): From the book நபிவழியில் தொழுகை சட்டங்கள் (Nabivazhiyil Thozhugay Sattangal) book by MI Muhammad Sulaiman, Aug 2015 edition, page 203-214.
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