20. Night and Voluntary Prayers (2/5)
٢٠۔ كتاب قيام الليل وتطوع النهار ص ٢
The Prophet ﷺ used to pray when he was sitting. He would recite while sitting, then when there were thirty or forty verses left, he would stand up and recite while standing, then he bowed and prostrated, then he would do likewise in the second rak'ah.
أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ كَانَ يُصَلِّي وَهُوَ جَالِسٌ فَيَقْرَأُ وَهُوَ جَالِسٌ فَإِذَا بَقِيَ مِنْ قِرَاءَتِهِ قَدْرُ مَا يَكُونُ ثَلاَثِينَ أَوْ أَرْبَعِينَ آيَةً قَامَ فَقَرَأَ وَهُوَ قَائِمٌ ثُمَّ رَكَعَ ثُمَّ سَجَدَ ثُمَّ يَفْعَلُ فِي الرَّكْعَةِ الثَّانِيَةِ مِثْلَ ذَلِكَ
"I never saw the Messenger of Allah ﷺ pray sitting down until he grew old. Then he would pray sitting down and when there were thirty or forty verses left, he would stand up and recite them, then bow."
مَا رَأَيْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ صَلَّى جَالِسًا حَتَّى دَخَلَ فِي السِّنِّ فَكَانَ يُصَلِّي وَهُوَ جَالِسٌ يَقْرَأُ فَإِذَا غَبَرَ مِنَ السُّورَةِ ثَلاَثُونَ أَوْ أَرْبَعُونَ آيَةً قَامَ فَقَرَأَ بِهَا ثُمَّ رَكَعَ
"The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to recite sitting, and when he wanted to bow he would stand up for as long as it takes a person to recite forty verses."
كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَقْرَأُ وَهُوَ قَاعِدٌ فَإِذَا أَرَادَ أَنْ يَرْكَعَ قَامَ قَدْرَ مَا يَقْرَأُ إِنْسَانٌ أَرْبَعِينَ آيَةً
" I came to Al-Madinah and entered upon Aishah, may Allah (SWT) be pleased with her. She said: 'Who are you?' I said: 'I am Sa'd bin Hisham bin 'Amir.' She said: 'May Allah have mercy on your father.' I said: 'Tell me about the prayer of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.' She said: 'The Messenger of Allah ﷺ did such and such.' I said: 'Yes indeed.' She said: 'The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to pray Isha' at night, then he would go to his bed and sleep. In the middle of the night, he would get up to relieve himself and go to his water for purification and perform wudu. Then he went into the Masjid and prayed eight rak'ahs. I think he made the recitation, bowing and prostration equal in length. Then he prayed one rak'ah of witr, then he prayed two rak'ahs sitting down. Then he lay down on his side. Sometimes Bilal would come and tell him that it was time to pray before he napped, and sometimes he napped. And sometimes I was not sure if he had napped or not before he told him that it was time to pray. This is how the Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to pray until he grew older and gained weight"- and she mentioned whatever Allah (SWT) willed about his gaining weight. She said: "And the Prophet ﷺ used to lead the people in praying witr, then he would go to his bed. In the middle of the night, he would get up and go to water for purification, and to relieve himself, then he would perform wudu. Then he would go into the masjid and pray six rak'ahs, and I think he made the recitation, bowing, and prostration equal in length. Then he prayed one rak'ah of witr, then he prayed two rak'ahs sitting down. Then he lay down on his side. Sometimes Bilal would come and tell him that it was time to pray before he napped, and sometimes he napped. And sometimes I was not sure if he had napped or not before he told him that it was time to pray." She said: "And this is how the Messenger of Allah ﷺ continued to pray."
قَدِمْتُ الْمَدِينَةَ فَدَخَلْتُ عَلَى عَائِشَةَ ؓ قَالَتْ مَنْ أَنْتَ قُلْتُ أَنَا سَعْدُ بْنُ هِشَامِ بْنِ عَامِرٍ قَالَتْ رَحِمَ اللَّهُ أَبَاكَ قُلْتُ أَخْبِرِينِي عَنْ صَلاَةِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَتْ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ كَانَ وَكَانَ قُلْتُ أَجَلْ قَالَتْ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ كَانَ يُصَلِّي بِاللَّيْلِ صَلاَةَ الْعِشَاءِ ثُمَّ يَأْوِي إِلَى فِرَاشِهِ فَيَنَامُ فَإِذَا كَانَ جَوْفُ اللَّيْلِ قَامَ إِلَى حَاجَتِهِ وَإِلَى طَهُورِهِ فَتَوَضَّأَ ثُمَّ دَخَلَ الْمَسْجِدَ فَيُصَلِّي ثَمَانِيَ رَكَعَاتٍ يُخَيَّلُ إِلَىَّ أَنَّهُ يُسَوِّي بَيْنَهُنَّ فِي الْقِرَاءَةِ وَالرُّكُوعِ وَالسُّجُودِ وَيُوتِرُ بِرَكْعَةٍ ثُمَّ يُصَلِّي رَكْعَتَيْنِ وَهُوَ جَالِسٌ ثُمَّ يَضَعُ جَنْبَهُ فَرُبَّمَا جَاءَ بِلاَلٌ فَآذَنَهُ بِالصَّلاَةِ قَبْلَ أَنْ يُغْفِيَ وَرُبَّمَا يُغْفِي وَرُبَّمَا شَكَكْتُ أَغْفَى أَوْ لَمْ يُغْفِ حَتَّى يُؤْذِنَهُ بِالصَّلاَةِ فَكَانَتْ تِلْكَ صَلاَةُ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ حَتَّى أَسَنَّ وَلَحُمَ فَذَكَرَتْ مِنْ لَحْمِهِ مَا شَاءَ اللَّهُ قَالَتْ وَكَانَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ يُصَلِّي بِالنَّاسِ الْعِشَاءَ ثُمَّ يَأْوِي إِلَى فِرَاشِهِ فَإِذَا كَانَ جَوْفُ اللَّيْلِ قَامَ إِلَى طَهُورِهِ وَإِلَى حَاجَتِهِ فَتَوَضَّأَ ثُمَّ يَدْخُلُ الْمَسْجِدَ فَيُصَلِّي سِتَّ رَكَعَاتٍ يُخَيَّلُ إِلَىَّ أَنَّهُ يُسَوِّي بَيْنَهُنَّ فِي الْقِرَاءَةِ وَالرُّكُوعِ وَالسُّجُودِ ثُمَّ يُوتِرُ بِرَكْعَةٍ ثُمَّ يُصَلِّي رَكْعَتَيْنِ وَهُوَ جَالِسٌ ثُمَّ يَضَعُ جَنْبَهُ وَرُبَّمَا جَاءَ بِلاَلٌ فَآذَنَهُ بِالصَّلاَةِ قَبْلَ أَنْ يُغْفِيَ وَرُبَّمَا أَغْفَى وَرُبَّمَا شَكَكْتُ أَغْفَى أَمْ لاَ حَتَّى يُؤْذِنَهُ بِالصَّلاَةِ قَالَتْ فَمَا زَالَتْ تِلْكَ صَلاَةُ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ
20.19 Sitting while performing voluntary prayers, and mentioning the differences reported from Abu Ishaq regarding that
٢٠۔١٩ باب صَلاَةِ الْقَاعِدِ فِي النَّافِلَةِ وَذِكْرِ الاِخْتِلاَفِ عَلَى أَبِي إِسْحَاقَ فِي ذَلِكَ
"The Messenger of Allah ﷺ did not refrain from (kissing) my forehead when he was fasting, and he did not die until most of his prayers were offered sitting down." Then she said something to the effect that (referred to the prayers) other than the obligatory prayers. "And the dearest of actions to him was that in which a person persists, even if it is little."
مَا كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَمْتَنِعُ مِنْ وَجْهِي وَهُوَ صَائِمٌ وَمَا مَاتَ حَتَّى كَانَ أَكْثَرُ صَلاَتِهِ قَاعِدًا ثُمَّ ذَكَرَتْ كَلِمَةً مَعْنَاهَا إِلاَّ الْمَكْتُوبَةَ وَكَانَ أَحَبُّ الْعَمَلِ إِلَيْهِ مَا دَامَ عَلَيْهِ الإِنْسَانُ وَإِنْ كَانَ يَسِيرًا خَالَفَهُ يُونُسُ رَوَاهُ عَنْ أَبِي إِسْحَاقَ عَنِ الأَسْوَدِ عَنْ أُمِّ سَلَمَةَ
"The Messenger of Allah ﷺ did not pass away until most of his prayers were offered sitting down, except for the obligatory prayers."
مَا قُبِضَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ حَتَّى كَانَ أَكْثَرُ صَلاَتِهِ جَالِسًا إِلاَّ الْمَكْتُوبَةَ خَالَفَهُ شُعْبَةُ وَسُفْيَانُ وَقَالاَ عَنْ أَبِي إِسْحَاقَ عَنْ أَبِي سَلَمَةَ عَنْ أُمِّ سَلَمَةَ
"The Messenger of Allah ﷺ did not pass away until most of his prayers were offered sitting down, except for the obligatory prayers, and the dearest of actions to him were those which were done persistently, even if they were few."
مَا مَاتَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ حَتَّى كَانَ أَكْثَرُ صَلاَتِهِ قَاعِدًا إِلاَّ الْفَرِيضَةَ وَكَانَ أَحَبُّ الْعَمَلِ إِلَيْهِ أَدْوَمَهُ وَإِنْ قَلَّ
"By the One in Whose Hand is my soul. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ did not pass away until most of his prayers were offered sitting down, except for the obligatory prayers, and the dearest of actions to him were those which were done persistently, even if they were few."
وَالَّذِي نَفْسِي بِيَدِهِ مَا مَاتَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ حَتَّى كَانَ أَكْثَرُ صَلاَتِهِ قَاعِدًا إِلاَّ الْمَكْتُوبَةَ وَكَانَ أَحَبُّ الْعَمَلِ إِلَيْهِ مَا دَاوَمَ عَلَيْهِ وَإِنْ قَلَّ خَالَفَهُ عُثْمَانُ بْنُ أَبِي سُلَيْمَانَ فَرَوَاهُ عَنْ أَبِي سَلَمَةَ عَنْ عَائِشَةَ
"The Prophet ﷺ did not die until most of his prayers were offered sitting down."
أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ لَمْ يَمُتْ حَتَّى كَانَ يُصَلِّي كَثِيرًا مِنْ صَلاَتِهِ وَهُوَ جَالِسٌ
"I said to Aishah: 'Did the Messenger of Allah ﷺ pray sitting down?' She said: 'Yes, after the people had worn him out.'"
قُلْتُ لِعَائِشَةَ هَلْ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ يُصَلِّي وَهُوَ قَاعِدٌ قَالَتْ نَعَمْ بَعْدَ مَا حَطَمَهُ النَّاسُ
"I never saw the Messenger of Allah ﷺ offer his voluntary prayers sitting down until one year before his death. Then he used to pray sitting down, reciting the surah so slowly that it seemed to be longer than a surah that is longer."
مَا رَأَيْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ صَلَّى فِي سُبْحَتِهِ قَاعِدًا قَطُّ حَتَّى كَانَ قَبْلَ وَفَاتِهِ بِعَامٍ فَكَانَ يُصَلِّي قَاعِدًا يَقْرَأُ بِالسُّورَةِ فَيُرَتِّلُهَا حَتَّى تَكُونَ أَطْوَلَ مِنْ أَطْوَلَ مِنْهَا
20.20 The superiority of prayer standing up over prayer sitting down
٢٠۔٢٠ باب فَضْلِ صَلاَةِ الْقَائِمِ عَلَى صَلاَةِ الْقَاعِدِ
"I saw the Prophet ﷺ praying sitting down and I said: 'I was told that you said that the prayer of one who is sitting down is worth half of the prayer of the one who is standing up.' He said: 'Yes indeed, but I am not like any one of you.'"
رَأَيْتُ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ يُصَلِّي جَالِسًا فَقُلْتُ حُدِّثْتُ أَنَّكَ قُلْتَ إِنَّ صَلاَةَ الْقَاعِدِ عَلَى النِّصْفِ مِنْ صَلاَةِ الْقَائِمِ وَأَنْتَ تُصَلِّي قَاعِدًا قَالَ أَجَلْ وَلَكِنِّي لَسْتُ كَأَحَدٍ مِنْكُمْ
20.21 The superiority of prayer sitting down over prayer lying down
٢٠۔٢١ باب فَضْلِ صَلاَةِ الْقَاعِدِ عَلَى صَلاَةِ النَّائِمِ
"I asked the Prophet ﷺ about one who prays sitting down. He said: 'Whoever prays standing up is better, and one who prays sitting down will have half the reward of one who prays standing up. And whoever prays lying down will have half the reward of one who prays sitting down.'"
سَأَلْتُ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ عَنِ الَّذِي يُصَلِّي قَاعِدًا قَالَ مَنْ صَلَّى قَائِمًا فَهُوَ أَفْضَلُ وَمَنْ صَلَّى قَاعِدًا فَلَهُ نِصْفُ أَجْرِ الْقَائِمِ وَمَنْ صَلَّى نَائِمًا فَلَهُ نِصْفُ أَجْرِ الْقَاعِدِ
20.22 How should one who is sitting pray?
٢٠۔٢٢ باب كَيْفَ صَلاَةُ الْقَاعِدِ
رَأَيْتُ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ يُصَلِّي مُتَرَبِّعًا قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ لاَ أَعْلَمُ أَحَدًا رَوَى هَذَا الْحَدِيثَ غَيْرَ أَبِي دَاوُدَ وَهُوَ ثِقَةٌ وَلاَ أَحْسِبُ هَذَا الْحَدِيثَ إِلاَّ خَطَأً وَاللَّهُ تَعَالَى أَعْلَمُ
20.23 How to recite at night
٢٠۔٢٣ باب كَيْفَ الْقِرَاءَةُ بِاللَّيْلِ
"I asked Aishah: "How did the Messenger of Allah ﷺ recite at night- did he recite loudly or silently?" She said: 'He used to do both; sometimes he recited loudly and sometimes he recited silently.'"
سَأَلْتُ عَائِشَةَ كَيْفَ كَانَتْ قِرَاءَةُ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ بِاللَّيْلِ يَجْهَرُ أَمْ يُسِرُّ قَالَتْ كُلُّ ذَلِكَ قَدْ كَانَ يَفْعَلُ رُبَّمَا جَهَرَ وَرُبَّمَا أَسَرَّ
20.24 The Superiority of reciting silently over reciting loudly
٢٠۔٢٤ باب فَضْلِ السِّرِّ عَلَى الْجَهْرِ
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: 'The one who recites the Qur'an loudly is like one who gives charity openly, and the one who recites the Qur'an silently is like the one who gives charity in secret.'"
أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَ إِنَّ الَّذِي يَجْهَرُ بِالْقُرْآنِ كَالَّذِي يَجْهَرُ بِالصَّدَقَةِ وَالَّذِي يُسِرُّ بِالْقُرْآنِ كَالَّذِي يُسِرُّ بِالصَّدَقَةِ
20.25 Making the standing, bowing, prostrating, and sitting between the two prostrations, equal in length when praying Qiyam al-Layl
٢٠۔٢٥ باب تَسْوِيَةِ الْقِيَامِ وَالرُّكُوعِ وَالْقِيَامِ بَعْدَ الرُّكُوعِ وَالسُّجُودِ وَالْجُلُوسِ بَيْنَ السَّجْدَتَيْنِ فِي صَلاَةِ اللَّيْلِ
"I prayed with the Prophet ﷺ one night. He started to recite Al-Baqarah and I thought, 'he will bow when he reaches one hundred,' but he carried on. I thought, 'he is going to recite the whole surah in one rak'ah,' but he carried on. He started to recite An-Nisa' and recited (the whole surah), then he started to recite Al Imran and recited (the whole surah), reciting slowly. When he reached a verse that spoke of glorifying Allah (SWT), he glorified Him. When he reached a verse that spoke of supplication, he made supplication. When he reached a verse that spoke of seeking refuge with Allah, he sought refuge with Him. Then he bowed and said: 'Subhana Rabbiyal-Azim.(Glory be to my Lord Almighty)', and he bowed for almost as long as he had stood. Then he raised his head and said: 'Sami Allahu liman hamidah (Allah hears those who praise Him)', and he stood for almost as long as he had bowed. Then he prostrated and started to say: Subhana Rabbiyal-'Ala (Glory be to my Lord Most High),' and he prostrated for almost as long as he had bowed.'"
صَلَّيْتُ مَعَ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ لَيْلَةً فَافْتَتَحَ الْبَقَرَةَ فَقُلْتُ يَرْكَعُ عِنْدَ الْمِائَةِ فَمَضَى فَقُلْتُ يَرْكَعُ عِنْدَ الْمِائَتَيْنِ فَمَضَى فَقُلْتُ يُصَلِّي بِهَا فِي رَكْعَةٍ فَمَضَى فَافْتَتَحَ النِّسَاءَ فَقَرَأَهَا ثُمَّ افْتَتَحَ آلَ عِمْرَانَ فَقَرَأَهَا يَقْرَأُ مُتَرَسِّلاً إِذَا مَرَّ بِآيَةٍ فِيهَا تَسْبِيحٌ سَبَّحَ وَإِذَا مَرَّ بِسُؤَالٍ سَأَلَ وَإِذَا مَرَّ بِتَعَوُّذٍ تَعَوَّذَ ثُمَّ رَكَعَ فَقَالَ سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْعَظِيمِ فَكَانَ رُكُوعُهُ نَحْوًا مِنْ قِيَامِهِ ثُمَّ رَفَعَ رَأْسَهُ فَقَالَ سَمِعَ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ فَكَانَ قِيَامُهُ قَرِيبًا مِنْ رُكُوعِهِ ثُمَّ سَجَدَ فَجَعَلَ يَقُولُ سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الأَعْلَى فَكَانَ سُجُودُهُ قَرِيبًا مِنْ رُكُوعِهِ
He prayed with the Messenger of Allah during Ramadan. He bowed and said: "Subhana Rabbiyal-Azim while bowing, for as long as he had stood. Then he sat down and said: "Rabbighfirli, Rabbighfirli (Lord forgive me, Lord forgive me)," for as long as he had stood. Then he prostrated and said: "Subhana Rabbiyal-'Ala for as long as he had stood And he prayed no more than four rak'ahs when Bilal came for Al-Ghadah.
أَنَّهُ صَلَّى مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ فِي رَمَضَانَ فَرَكَعَ فَقَالَ فِي رُكُوعِهِ سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْعَظِيمِ مِثْلَ مَا كَانَ قَائِمًا ثُمَّ جَلَسَ يَقُولُ رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي مِثْلَ مَا كَانَ قَائِمًا ثُمَّ سَجَدَ فَقَالَ سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الأَعْلَى مِثْلَ مَا كَانَ قَائِمًا فَمَا صَلَّى إِلاَّ أَرْبَعَ رَكَعَاتٍ حَتَّى جَاءَ بِلاَلٌ إِلَى الْغَدَاةِ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ هَذَا الْحَدِيثُ عِنْدِي مُرْسَلٌ وَطَلْحَةُ بْنُ يَزِيدَ لاَ أَعْلَمُهُ سَمِعَ مِنْ حُذَيْفَةَ شَيْئًا وَغَيْرُ الْعَلاَءِ بْنِ الْمُسَيَّبِ قَالَ فِي هَذَا الْحَدِيثِ عَنْ طَلْحَةَ عَنْ رَجُلٍ عَنْ حُذَيْفَةَ
20.26 How to pray at night
٢٠۔٢٦ باب كَيْفَ صَلاَةُ اللَّيْلِ
The Prophet ﷺ said: "The prayers of the night and day are two by two."
عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَ صَلاَةُ اللَّيْلِ وَالنَّهَارِ مَثْنَى مَثْنَى قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ هَذَا الْحَدِيثُ عِنْدِي خَطَأٌ وَاللَّهُ تَعَالَى أَعْلَمُ
"Ibn Umar said: "A man asked the Messenger of Allah ﷺ about prayer at night. He said: "Two by two, and if you fear that dawn will come, then one.'"
ابْنُ عُمَرَ سَأَلَ رَجُلٌ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ عَنْ صَلاَةِ اللَّيْلِ فَقَالَ مَثْنَى مَثْنَى فَإِذَا خَشِيتَ الصُّبْحَ فَوَاحِدَةٌ
The Prophet ﷺ said: "Prayers at night are two by two, then if you fear that dawn will come, pray witr with one rak'ah."
عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَ صَلاَةُ اللَّيْلِ مَثْنَى مَثْنَى فَإِذَا خِفْتَ الصُّبْحَ فَأَوْتِرْ بِوَاحِدَةٍ
"I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ on the minbar, when he was asked about prayers at night, say: "Two by two, then if you fear that dawn will come, pray witr with one rak'ah.'"
سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ عَلَى الْمِنْبَرِ يُسْأَلُ عَنْ صَلاَةِ اللَّيْلِ فَقَالَ مَثْنَى مَثْنَى فَإِذَا خِفْتَ الصُّبْحَ فَأَوْتِرْ بِرَكْعَةٍ
A man asked the Messenger of Allah ﷺabout prayers at night, and he said: "Two by two, then if one of you fears that dawn will come, let him pray witr with one."
أَنَّ رَجُلاً سَأَلَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ عَنْ صَلاَةِ اللَّيْلِ قَالَ مَثْنَى مَثْنَى فَإِنْ خَشِيَ أَحَدُكُمُ الصُّبْحَ فَلْيُوتِرْ بِوَاحِدَةٍ
The Prophet ﷺ said: "prayers at night are (offered) two by two, then if you fear that dawn will come, pray witr with one."
عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَ صَلاَةُ اللَّيْلِ مَثْنَى مَثْنَى فَإِذَا خِفْتَ الصُّبْحَ فَأَوْتِرْ بِوَاحِدَةٍ
"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.'"
سَأَلَ رَجُلٌ مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ كَيْفَ صَلاَةُ اللَّيْلِ فَقَالَ صَلاَةُ اللَّيْلِ مَثْنَى مَثْنَى فَإِذَا خِفْتَ الصُّبْحَ فَأَوْتِرْ بِوَاحِدَةٍ
A man asked the Messenger of Allah ﷺ about prayers at night. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: "prayers at night are (offered) two by two, then if you fear that dawn will come, pray witr with one."
أَخْبَرَهُ أَنَّ رَجُلاً سَأَلَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ عَنْ صَلاَةِ اللَّيْلِ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ صَلاَةُ اللَّيْلِ مَثْنَى مَثْنَى فَإِذَا خَشِيتَ الصُّبْحَ فَأَوْتِرْ بِوَاحِدَةٍ
"A man stood up and said: 'O Messenger of Allah ﷺ, how are the prayers at night to be done?' The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: 'Prayers at night are (offered) two by two, then if you fear that dawn will come, pray witr with one.'"
يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ كَيْفَ صَلاَةُ اللَّيْلِ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ صَلاَةُ اللَّيْلِ مَثْنَى مَثْنَى فَإِذَا خِفْتَ الصُّبْحَ فَأَوْتِرْ بِوَاحِدَةٍ
20.27 The command to pray witr
٢٠۔٢٧ باب الأَمْرِ بِالْوِتْرِ
"The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: "O people of the Qur'an, pray witr, for Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, is Witr (One) and loves Al-Witr (the odd numbered).'"
أَوْتَرَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ ثُمَّ قَالَ يَا أَهْلَ الْقُرْآنِ أَوْتِرُوا فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ ﷻ وِتْرٌ يُحِبُّ الْوِتْرَ
"Witr is not essential like the obligatory prayers, but it is the sunnah of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ."
الْوِتْرُ لَيْسَ بِحَتْمٍ كَهَيْئَةِ الْمَكْتُوبَةِ وَلَكِنَّهُ سُنَّةٌ سَنَّهَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ
20.28 Encouragement to pray witr before sleeping
٢٠۔٢٨ باب الْحَثِّ عَلَى الْوِتْرِ قَبْلَ النَّوْمِ
"My dearest friend advised me (to do) three things: 'To sleep after praying Witr, to fast three days each month, and to pray two rak'ahs of Fajr.'"
أَوْصَانِي خَلِيلِي ﷺ بِثَلاَثٍ النَّوْمِ عَلَى وِتْرٍ وَصِيَامِ ثَلاَثَةِ أَيَّامٍ مِنْ كُلِّ شَهْرٍ وَرَكْعَتَىِ الضُّحَى
"My closest friend advised me to do three things: 'To pray witr at the beginning of the night, to pray two rak'ahs of Fajr and to fast three days of each month.'"
أَوْصَانِي خَلِيلِي ﷺ بِثَلاَثٍ الْوِتْرِ أَوَّلَ اللَّيْلِ وَرَكْعَتَىِ الْفَجْرِ وَصَوْمِ ثَلاَثَةِ أَيَّامٍ مِنْ كُلِّ شَهْرٍ
20.29 The Prophet's ﷺ prohibition of praying witr twice in one night
٢٠۔٢٩ باب نَهْىِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ عَنِ الْوِتْرَيْنِ فِي لَيْلَةٍ
"My father, Talq bin 'Ali visited me one day in Ramadan and stayed with us until the evening. He led us in praying Qiyam that night and prayed witr with us. Then he went down to a masjid and led his companions in prayer until only witr was left. Then he told a man to go forward and said to him: 'Lead them in praying witr, for I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say: There should not be two witrs in one night."
سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَقُولُ لاَ وِتْرَانِ فِي لَيْلَةٍ
20.30 The time for witr
٢٠۔٣٠ باب وَقْتِ الْوِتْرِ
"I asked 'Aishah about the prayer of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. She said: 'He used to sleep during the first part of the night, then get up during the time before dawn and pray witr. Then he would go to his bed and if he needed to be intimate he would go to his wife. Then when he heard the Adhan he would get up, and if he was junub he would pour water over himself, otherwise he would perform wudu, then he would go out to the prayer.'"
عَنْ صَلاَةِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَقَالَتْ كَانَ يَنَامُ أَوَّلَ اللَّيْلِ ثُمَّ يَقُومُ فَإِذَا كَانَ مِنَ السَّحَرِ أَوْتَرَ ثُمَّ أَتَى فِرَاشَهُ فَإِذَا كَانَ لَهُ حَاجَةٌ أَلَمَّ بِأَهْلِهِ فَإِذَا سَمِعَ الأَذَانَ وَثَبَ فَإِنْ كَانَ جُنُبًا أَفَاضَ عَلَيْهِ مِنَ الْمَاءِ وَإِلاَّ تَوَضَّأَ ثُمَّ خَرَجَ إِلَى الصَّلاَةِ
"The Messenger of Allah ﷺ prayed witr at the beginning (of the night) and at the end, and in the middle. And toward the end of his life, he settled on performing witr at the end of the night."
أَوْتَرَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ مِنْ أَوَّلِهِ وَآخِرِهِ وَأَوْسَطِهِ وَانْتَهَى وَتْرُهُ إِلَى السَّحَرِ
"Whoever prays during the night, let him make the last of his prayers at night witr, because the Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to enjoin that."
مَنْ صَلَّى مِنَ اللَّيْلِ فَلْيَجْعَلْ آخِرَ صَلاَتِهِ وَتْرًا فَإِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ كَانَ يَأْمُرُ بِذَلِكَ
20.31 The command to pray witr before dawn
٢٠۔٣١ باب الأَمْرِ بِالْوِتْرِ قَبْلَ الصُّبْحِ
"The Messenger of Allah ﷺ was asked about witr and he said: 'Pray witr before dawn (Subh).'"
أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ أَبَا سَعِيدٍ الْخُدْرِيَّ يَقُولُ سُئِلَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ عَنِ الْوَتْرِ فَقَالَ أَوْتِرُوا قَبْلَ الصُّبْحِ
عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَ أَوْتِرُوا قَبْلَ الْفَجْرِ
20.32 Witr after the adhan
٢٠۔٣٢ باب الْوِتْرِ بَعْدَ الأَذَانِ
He was in the masjid of 'Amr bin Shurahbil and the iqamah for prayer was said, and they were waiting. He came and said: "I was praying witr." Abdullah was asked: "Is there any witr after the adhan?" He said: "Yes, and after the Iqamah." And he narrated that the Prophet ﷺ once slept and missed the prayer until the sun had risen, then he prayed.
وَسُئِلَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ هَلْ بَعْدَ الأَذَانِ وَتْرٌ قَالَ نَعَمْ وَبَعْدَ الإِقَامَةِ وَحَدَّثَ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ أَنَّهُ نَامَ عَنِ الصَّلاَةِ حَتَّى طَلَعَتِ الشَّمْسُ ثُمَّ صَلَّى
20.33 Witr on one's mount
٢٠۔٣٣ باب الْوِتْرِ عَلَى الرَّاحِلَةِ
أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ كَانَ يُوتِرُ عَلَى الرَّاحِلَةِ
Ibn Umar used to pray witr on his camel and he mentioned that the Prophet ﷺ used to do that.
أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ كَانَ يَفْعَلُ ذَلِكَ
"Ibn Umar said to me that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to pray witr on a camel."
أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ كَانَ يُوتِرُ عَلَى الْبَعِيرِ
20.34 How many (rak'ahs) is witr?
٢٠۔٣٤ باب كَمِ الْوِتْرُ
The Prophet ﷺ said: "Witr is one rak'ah at the end of the night."
أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ قَالَ الْوَتْرُ رَكْعَةٌ مِنْ آخِرِ اللَّيْلِ
The Prophet ﷺ said: "Witr is one rak'ah at the end of the night."
عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَ الْوَتْرُ رَكْعَةٌ مِنْ آخِرِ اللَّيْلِ
A man from among the people of the desert asked the Messenger of Allah ﷺ about prayer at night. He said:"(It is) two by two, and Witr is one rak'ah at the end of the night."
أَنَّ رَجُلاً مِنْ أَهْلِ الْبَادِيَةِ سَأَلَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ عَنْ صَلاَةِ اللَّيْلِ قَالَ مَثْنَى مَثْنَى وَالْوَتْرُ رَكْعَةٌ مِنْ آخِرِ اللَّيْلِ
20.35 How to pray witr with one (rak'ah)
٢٠۔٣٥ باب كَيْفَ الْوِتْرُ بِوَاحِدَةٍ
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: "Prayer at night is two by two, then when you want to finish, pray one rak'h which will make the total number that you prayed odd."
عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَ صَلاَةُ اللَّيْلِ مَثْنَى مَثْنَى فَإِذَا أَرَدْتَ أَنْ تَنْصَرِفَ فَارْكَعْ بِوَاحِدَةٍ تُوتِرُ لَكَ مَا قَدْ صَلَّيْتَ
"The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: 'Prayer at night is two by two, and witr is one rak'ah.'"
قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ صَلاَةُ اللَّيْلِ مَثْنَى مَثْنَى وَالْوَتْرُ رَكْعَةٌ وَاحِدَةٌ
A man asked the Messenger of Allah ﷺ about prayer at night and the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: "Prayer at night is two by two, then if one of you fears that dawn will break, pray one rak'ah to make the total number that he prayed odd."
أَنَّ رَجُلاً سَأَلَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ عَنْ صَلاَةِ اللَّيْلِ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ صَلاَةُ اللَّيْلِ مَثْنَى مَثْنَى فَإِذَا خَشِيَ أَحَدُكُمُ الصُّبْحَ صَلَّى رَكْعَةً وَاحِدَةً تُوتِرُ لَهُ مَا قَدْ صَلَّى
He heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say: "Prayer at night is two rak'ahs by two rak'ahs, then when you fear tat dawn will break, pray witr with one rak'ah."
عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ أَنَّهُ سَمِعَهُ يَقُولُ صَلاَةُ اللَّيْلِ رَكْعَتَيْنِ رَكْعَتَيْنِ فَإِذَا خِفْتُمُ الصُّبْحَ فَأَوْتِرُوا بِوَاحِدَةٍ
The Prophet ﷺ used to pray eleven rak'ahs at night, ending them with one rak'ah of witr, then he would lie down on his right side.
أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ كَانَ يُصَلِّي مِنَ اللَّيْلِ إِحْدَى عَشْرَةَ رَكْعَةً يُوتِرُ مِنْهَا بِوَاحِدَةٍ ثُمَّ يَضْطَجِعُ عَلَى شِقِّهِ الأَيْمَنِ
20.36 How to pray witr with three rak'ahs
٢٠۔٣٦ باب كَيْفَ الْوَتْرُ بِثَلاَثٍ
He asked Aishah, the Mother of the Believers, about how the Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to pray in Ramadan. She said: "The Messenger of Allah ﷺ did not pray more than eleven rak'ahs during Ramadan or at any other time. He would pray four, and do not ask how beautiful or how long they were. Then he would pray four, and do not ask how beautiful or how long they were. Then he would pray three." Aishah said: "I said: 'O Messenger of Allah, do you sleep before you pray witr?' He said: 'O Aishah, my eyes sleep but my heart does not.'"
أَنَّهُ أَخْبَرَهُ أَنَّهُ سَأَلَ عَائِشَةَ أُمَّ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ كَيْفَ كَانَتْ صَلاَةُ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ فِي رَمَضَانَ قَالَتْ مَا كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَزِيدُ فِي رَمَضَانَ وَلاَ غَيْرِهِ عَلَى إِحْدَى عَشْرَةَ رَكْعَةً يُصَلِّي أَرْبَعًا فَلاَ تَسْأَلْ عَنْ حُسْنِهِنَّ وَطُولِهِنَّ ثُمَّ يُصَلِّي أَرْبَعًا فَلاَ تَسْأَلْ عَنْ حُسْنِهِنَّ وَطُولِهِنَّ ثُمَّ يُصَلِّي ثَلاَثًا قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ فَقُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَتَنَامُ قَبْلَ أَنْ تُوتِرَ قَالَ يَا عَائِشَةُ إِنَّ عَيْنِي تَنَامُ وَلاَ يَنَامُ قَلْبِي