The Desirability of the Witr Prayer and Evidence that it is not Obligatory:
Anas ibn Maalik (radiyallaahu `anhu) narrated from the Prophet (sallallaahu `alaihi wa sallam) that Allaah (Subhaanahu wa Ta`aalaa) said:
“They are five (in number) and fifty (in reward). The Word that comes from Me cannot be changed.”
Reported by Al-Bukhaaree (349) and Muslim (414).
Talhah ibn `Ubaidillaah (radiyallaahu `anhu) said: “A man from Najd with dishevelled hair came to the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu `alaihi wa sallam). We heard the man’s loud voice but could not understand what he was saying, until he came near and then we came to know that he was asking about Islam. The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu `alaihi wa sallam) said:
“You have to offer five prayers in a day and night.” The man asked:
“Are there any more upon me?” The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu `alaihi wa sallam) replied:
“No, unless you wish to offer voluntary prayers.” The Messenger of Allaah further said to him:
“You have to observe fasts during the month of Ramadaan.” The man asked:
“Is there any other (fast) upon me?” The Messenger of Allaah replied:
“No, unless you wish to observe voluntary fasts.” Then the Messenger of Allaah further said to him:
“You have to pay the Zakaah (obligatory charity).” The man asked:
“Is there any thing other than the Zakaah for me to pay?” The Messenger of Allaah replied:
“No, unless you wish to give charity voluntarily.” And then that man retreated saying:
“By Allaah! I will neither do less nor more than this.” The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu `alaihi wa sallam) said:
“If he is truthful in what he said, then he will be successful (i.e. he will be granted Paradise).”
Reported by Al-Bukhaaree (46) and Muslim (100).
Ibn `Abbaas (radiyallaahu `anhu) narrated that the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu `alaihi wa sallam) said to Mu`aadh ibn Jabal (radiyallaahu `anhu), when sending him to Yemen:
“You are going to a people from the People of the Book. Let the first thing that you call them to be Tauheed. If they obey you in that, then inform them that Allaah has obligated upon them five prayers every day and night.…”
Reported by Al-Bukhaaree (1395, 7372) and Muslim (19, 121).
`Abdullaah ibn As-Sunaabihee said: “Aboo Muhammad claimed that the Witr is obligatory (Waajib) so `Ubaadah ibn As-Saamit (radiyallaahu `anhu) said:
“Aboo Muhammad is mistaken; I bear witness that I heard the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu `alaihi wa sallam) say:
“(There are) five prayers. Allaah, the Great and Almighty, has made them obligatory. Whoever performs Wudoo’ for them correctly, for their correct time, completes their Rukoo` (bowings) and Khushoo` (humility) then he has with Allaah a covenant that He shall forgive him. And whoever does not do so then he has no covenant with Allaah; if He wishes He will forgive him, and if He wishes He will punish him.”””
Authenticated by Ibn Hibbaan (2417), Ibn `Abdil-Barr (At-Tamheed, 23/288-289), Ibn-us-Sakan (C.f., Mawsoo`at-ul-Haafiz, 3/220), An-Nawawee (617, 618), Al-Mardaawee (Kifaayat-ul-Mustaqni`, 242), Ibn Katheer (Irshaad-ul-Faqeeh, 1/91), Adh-Dhahabee (Al-Muhadhdhab, 8/4229), Al-`Iraaqee (Tarh-ut-Tathreeb, 2/148), As-Sakhaawee (Al-Ajwibat-ul-Mardiyyah, 2/819), Al-Ghumaaree (Bayaan Talbees-il-Muftaree, p.177), Al-Albaanee (Saheeh Abee Daawood, 2/301-303, 5/161-162; Hidaayat-ur-Ruwaah, 543; Al-Mishkaah, 570; Saheeh-ul-Jaami`, 3242; Saheeh-ut-Targheeb, 370, 396, 400; Sifat-us-Salaah, p.35; As-Saheehah, 842), Al-Waadi`ee (As-Saheeh-ul-Musnad, 537), Shu`aib Al-Arna’oot (Saheeh Ibn Hibbaan, 2417), Al-Hilaalee (Al-Muwatta’, 290; Mawsoo`at-ul-Manaahee, 1/303) and Husayn Asad (Al-Mawaarid, 252, 253; Musnad-ul-Humaidee, 391; Musnad-ud-Daarimee, 1618).
Sa`eed ibn Yasaar said: “I was travelling along with Ibn `Umar (radiyallaahu `anhumaa) on the way to Makkah. When I apprehended dawn, I dismounted and prayed the Witr prayer and then joined him. Ibn `Umar said to me:
“Where were you?” I said:
“I apprehended the appearance of dawn, so I dismounted and prayed Witr.” Upon this `Abdullah said:
“Is there not an example for you in the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu `alaihi wa sallam)?!” I said:
“Yes, by Allaah!” He said:
“The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu `alaihi wa sallam) used to pray Witr on the camel (without dismounting).””
Reported by Al-Bukhaaree (999) and Muslim (1613).
Ibn `Umar (radiyallaahu `anhumaa) said: “The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu `alaihi wa sallam) used to observe voluntary prayers on his camel no matter in which direction it turned its face, and he also observed the Witr prayer on it, but did not observe obligatory prayer on it.”
Reported by Al-Bukhaaree (1097) and Muslim (1616).
Ibn Mas`ood (radiyallaahu `anhu) narrated from the Prophet (sallallaahu `alaihi wa sallam) that he said:
“Verily, Allaah is witr (odd in number) and loves the Witr prayer. O people of the Qur’aan! Observe the Witr prayer.” A Bedouin said:
“What is the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu `alaihi wa sallam) saying?” He replied:
“It is not for you or your companions.”
Authenticated by Al-Albaanee (Saheeh Abee Daawood, 5/160-161).
`Alee (radiyallaahu `anhu) said: “The Witr is not obligatory like the prescribed prayers, but it is a Sunnah practised by the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu `alaihi wa sallam). he said:
“Verily, Allaah is witr (odd in number) and loves the Witr prayer. So observe the Witr prayer, O people of the Qur’aan!””
Authenticated by At-Tirmidhee (453), Ibn Khuzaimah (1067), Ibn Hazm (Al-Muhallaa, 2/230), An-Nawawee (Riyaad-us-Saaliheen, chapter 205), Ahmad Shaakir (Musnad Ahmad, 1/86), Al-Albaanee (Saheeh Abee Daawood, 5/159-161; Saheeh Ibn Khuzaimah, 1067; Saheeh-ut-Targheeb, 592; Hidaayat-ur-Ruwaah, 1222), Husayn Asad (Musnad Abee Ya`laa, 317; Musnad-ud-Daarimee, 1620), Al-Hilaalee (Takhreej-ul-Muharrar, 332; Bahjat-un-Naazireen, 1132), Az-Zuhairee (Buloogh-ul-Maraam, 366), Anees Taahir (Mukhtasar-ul-Ahkaam, 2/410-411), `Abdullaah Al-Luhaidaan (Mukhtasar Istidraak-idh-Dhahabee, 68) and Zakariyyaa Al-Baakistaanee (Aathaar-us-Sahaabah, 1/392).
Naafi` said: “A man asked Ibn `Umar (radiyallaahu `anhumaa) about the Witr:
“Is it obligatory (Waajib)?” He replied:
“The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu `alaihi wa sallam) observed the Witr and so did the Muslims.””
Authenticated by Ahmad Shaakir (Musnad Ahmad, 2/29, 58), Husayn Asad (Musnad Abee Ya`laa, 5740) and Al-Hilaalee (Al-Muwatta’, 294).
