What is meant by the witr prayer, is it obligatory, and how does a Muslim perform it?
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The questioner : What is meant by the witr prayer, is it obligatory, and how does a Muslim perform it?
The Shaykh : By the witr prayer, we mean concluding the night prayer with one, three, five, seven, nine, or eleven rak'ahs. The witr is a confirmed sunnah (recommended practice), to the extent that some scholars say it is obligatory. Imam Ahmad (may Allah have mercy on him) said: "Whoever leaves the witr is a bad man, and it is not befitting that his testimony be accepted". Therefore, a Muslim should not leave the witr prayer. When he finishes what is written for him of the night prayer, let him pray one, three, or five rak'ahs, according to his energy.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : However, its manner differs. If he prays witr with three, he may say the taslim (closing salam) after the first two and make the third one alone, or he may combine them, meaning he combines all three with one taslim and one tashahhud (testification). If he prays witr with five, he combines them all with one taslim and one tashahhud. The same applies if he prays witr with seven. If he prays witr with nine, he prays eight, sits in the eighth, recites the tashahhud, and does not say the taslim. Then he stands and prays the ninth, saying the tashahhud and the taslim.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : If he prays witr with eleven, he prays two rak'ahs at a time and concludes with one. The time for witr is after the 'Isha' prayer, once he has prayed 'Isha' and its regular voluntary prayer (rawatib), even if he combined it with Maghrib by bringing it forward. The time for witr extends until the dawn (Fajr) breaks. If the dawn breaks and a person has not prayed witr, he does not pray witr during the day, but he makes up his witr as an even number. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), when sleep or pain overcame him and he did not pray from the night, would pray twelve rak'ahs during the day.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Yes, this is the summary of the witr.
The questioner : Sa'd sent us a message and mentioned his full name, but he said, "I hope you will mention Sa'd Q from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the program."
The Shaykh : By the witr prayer, we mean concluding the night prayer with one, three, five, seven, nine, or eleven rak'ahs. The witr is a confirmed sunnah (recommended practice), to the extent that some scholars say it is obligatory. Imam Ahmad (may Allah have mercy on him) said: "Whoever leaves the witr is a bad man, and it is not befitting that his testimony be accepted". Therefore, a Muslim should not leave the witr prayer. When he finishes what is written for him of the night prayer, let him pray one, three, or five rak'ahs, according to his energy.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : However, its manner differs. If he prays witr with three, he may say the taslim (closing salam) after the first two and make the third one alone, or he may combine them, meaning he combines all three with one taslim and one tashahhud (testification). If he prays witr with five, he combines them all with one taslim and one tashahhud. The same applies if he prays witr with seven. If he prays witr with nine, he prays eight, sits in the eighth, recites the tashahhud, and does not say the taslim. Then he stands and prays the ninth, saying the tashahhud and the taslim.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : If he prays witr with eleven, he prays two rak'ahs at a time and concludes with one. The time for witr is after the 'Isha' prayer, once he has prayed 'Isha' and its regular voluntary prayer (rawatib), even if he combined it with Maghrib by bringing it forward. The time for witr extends until the dawn (Fajr) breaks. If the dawn breaks and a person has not prayed witr, he does not pray witr during the day, but he makes up his witr as an even number. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), when sleep or pain overcame him and he did not pray from the night, would pray twelve rak'ahs during the day.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Yes, this is the summary of the witr.
The questioner : Sa'd sent us a message and mentioned his full name, but he said, "I hope you will mention Sa'd Q from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the program."