8/3. Chapter:
Sunan Abi Dawud 1421 — Witr Prayer in Pairs and One Rak'ah
How Many (Rak'ahs) Is Witr?
Witr Prayer: Night Prayer in Pairs and One Rak'ah
Sunan Abi Dawud : 1421
Sunan Abi DawudHadith Number 1421
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ كَثِيرٍ، أَخْبَرَنَا هَمَّامٌ، عَنْ قَتَادَةَ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ شَقِيقٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، أَنَّ رَجُلاً، مِنْ أَهْلِ الْبَادِيَةِ سَأَلَ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَنْ صَلاَةِ اللَّيْلِ فَقَالَ بِأُصْبُعَيْهِ هَكَذَا مَثْنَى مَثْنَى وَالْوِتْرُ رَكْعَةٌ مِنْ آخِرِ اللَّيْلِ .
Ibn 'Umar Narrated from:
A man who lived in the desert asked the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) about the prayer at night. He made a sign with his two fingers-in this way in pairs. The witr consists of one rak'ah towards the end in night.
Reference : Sunan Abi Dawud 1421In-book reference : Book 8, Hadith 6English translation : Book 8, Hadith 1416
Summary of Sunan Abi Dawud Hadith 1421
This hadith about witr prayer gives a simple answer to a direct question. A man from the desert asked the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) about night prayer. The reply showed that the night prayer is offered two by two, meaning in pairs. Then the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) explained that witr is one rak'ah toward the end of the night. The core lesson is clear: witr prayer has a special place at night, and it can close the night prayer with an odd rak'ah. For someone searching how to pray witr, this narration gives the basic shape without adding extra details. It keeps the matter easy and focused.
What we learn from this hadith
- Night prayer is described as being prayed in pairs.
- Witr may be one rak'ah near the end of the night.
- A clear question about worship should be answered in a clear way.
