8/7. Chapter:
Sunan Abi Dawud 1432 — Three Practices: Duha, Monthly Fasting, and Witr
Praying With Witr Before Sleeping
Witr Before Sleep and Three Steady Acts of Worship
Sunan Abi Dawud : 1432
Sunan Abi DawudHadith Number 1432
حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ الْمُثَنَّى، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو دَاوُدَ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبَانُ بْنُ يَزِيدَ، عَنْ قَتَادَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ، - مِنْ أَزْدِ شَنُوءَةَ - عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ أَوْصَانِي خَلِيلِي صلى الله عليه وسلم بِثَلاَثٍ لاَ أَدَعُهُنَّ فِي سَفَرٍ وَلاَ حَضَرٍ رَكْعَتَىِ الضُّحَى وَصَوْمِ ثَلاَثَةِ أَيَّامٍ مِنَ الشَّهْرِ وَأَنْ لاَ أَنَامَ إِلاَّ عَلَى وِتْرٍ .
Abu Hurairah Narrated from:
My friend (i.e. the Prophet) instructed me to observe three practices that I do not leave while traveling nor while resident, to pray two rak`ahs in the forenoon, to fast three days every month and not to sleep but after observing the witr.
Reference : Sunan Abi Dawud 1432In-book reference : Book 8, Hadith 17English translation : Book 8, Hadith 1427
Summary of Sunan Abi Dawud Hadith 1432
This hadith about witr before sleep reports advice given to Abu Hurairah by his close friend, meaning the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم). He instructed him to keep three practices while traveling and while resident: praying two rak'ahs in the forenoon, fasting three days every month, and not sleeping except after observing witr. The report brings together prayer, fasting, and a bedtime worship habit. For people searching witr before sleeping hadith, this narration shows that Abu Hurairah treated this advice as something he did not leave. The text also reminds us that worship can be kept in simple, steady actions during travel and at home.
What we learn from this hadith
- Abu Hurairah was advised to keep three practices.
- The practices were for both travel and residence.
- Witr before sleep is named as one of the advised acts.
