How Much do You Know about Witr Prayer?

Illustration by Raimy Sofyan
Illustration by Raimy Sofyan

When did the Messenger performing Witr prayer?

She Radiyallaha ‘anha said, “Messenger of Allah accomplished Witr prayer every night and lasted until dawn (sahoor).” (Hadits narrated by Bukhari Muslim).

That is when it was fajr (morning) kadzib. I.e. white light that looks like a pole on the horizon east before dawn.

Did the Prophet used to sleep before praying Witr?

In the hadith mentioned that the Prophet Muhammad Salallahu ‘alaihi wassalam was as though sleep after performing eight raka’at (cycles) and then woke up and did the Witr prayer without ablution first, meanwhile Aishah Radiyallaha ‘anha knew that sleep may invalidate ablution. In this regard the Prophet Muhammad knew if his ablution void, because his heart was awake (not sleep). So sleep itself is not the cause of cancellation of the ablution, but there is the possibility of rectal discharge angina that caused cancellation of ablution.

Is Witr prayer obligatory?

It was narrated from ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib Radiyallahu anhu, Rasulullah Salallahu ‘alaihi wassalam said: “Implement Witr prayer, O people of the Quran! Because Allah is single and loves Witr. “(Hadith narrated by five priests and validated by Ibn Khuzaimah).

Meaning that command of Witr prayer is not obligatory

How can someone who has been performing on Witr prayer, then wake up in the middle of the night and will perform another night prayer?

It was narrated from Ibn ‘Umar Radiyallahu ‘anhu that the Messenger of Allah said, “Make Witr prayer as the end of your evening prayers.” (Hadith narrated by Bukhari Muslim).

The command that makes Witr prayer as the most final prayer is recommended. If someone has performed Witr prayer at the beginning of the night and wake up at midnight or late night, so he/she carries on his/her night prayers with the even number raka’at (cycles) and does not need to cancel his/her Witr.

Thlaq narrated from Ali bin, he said, “I heard the Messenger of Allah said, no two Witr in one night.” (Reported by Imam Ahmad and the three and validated by Ibn Hibban).

Allahu a’lam

Source: Syarah Bulughul Mahram by Syaikh Shafiyurrahman Al-Mubaarakfuri

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