We observe that some people maintain the regular voluntary prayers but do not pay attention to the Witr prayer. What is your guidance for them?

The questioner : We observe that some people maintain the regular voluntary prayers but do not pay attention to the Witr prayer. What is your guidance for them?

The Shaykh : Our guidance is that it is strongly recommended (mustahabb) for them to maintain the Witr prayer, because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: . He commanded us to make the last of our night prayers Witr. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) maintained the Witr prayer whether resident or traveling. If sleep overtook him and he did not pray Witr, he would make it up during the day, but he would make it up as an even number, praying twelve rak'ahs. Witr is a very, very confirmed recommended practice, and it is disliked to leave it. Some scholars even said it is obligatory. Imam Ahmad (may Allah have mercy on him) said: "Whoever leaves the Witr is a bad man, and his testimony should not be accepted."
As for the regular voluntary prayers, they are attached to the obligatory prayers, and maintaining them is undoubtedly among the recommended practices. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Four rak'ahs before the midday prayer with two salams, two rak'ahs after it, two rak'ahs after the sunset prayer, two rak'ahs after the night prayer, and two rak'ahs before the dawn prayer.