Riyad as-Salihin, 1133
'Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) observed Witr prayer in every part of night at the beginning, middle and at the last part. He (ﷺ), however, would finish his Witr prayer before dawn. <b>[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]</b>.
وعن عائشة رضي الله عنها قالت: من كل الليل قد أوتر رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: من أول الليل ومن أوسطه، ومن آخره. وانتهى وتره إلى السحر. ((متفق عليه))
References1 variant
- In-Book Reference
- Book 8, Hadith 143
Sharh · explanationclick to expand
<b>Guidance from the Hadiths:</b><br>
1) The Witr prayer is a very confirmed Sunnah. It is the best prayer after the obligatory prayers.<br>
2) It is recommended to delay Witr to the latter part of the night to conclude Qiyām al-Layl (voluntary night prayer) therewith.<br>
3) The effects of Allah’s love for Witr are apparent in the creation and the Shariah. Many universal structures and Shar‘i rulings are odd-numbered, like the heavens and the earth, the days of the week, the pillars of Islam, the obligatory prayers, the Rak‘ahs of Qiyām al-Layl, and the rounds of Tawāf.