6/4. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 700i — Nafl and Witr on a Ride
It is permissible to offer voluntary prayers atop one’s mount when travelling, no matter what direction it is facing
Nafl and Witr on a Ride Hadith: What the Text Clearly Says
Sahih Muslim : 700i
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 700i
وَحَدَّثَنِي حَرْمَلَةُ بْنُ يَحْيَى، أَخْبَرَنَا ابْنُ وَهْبٍ، أَخْبَرَنِي يُونُسُ، عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، عَنْ سَالِمِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، قَالَ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يُسَبِّحُ عَلَى الرَّاحِلَةِ قِبَلَ أَىِّ وَجْهٍ تَوَجَّهَ وَيُوتِرُ عَلَيْهَا غَيْرَ أَنَّهُ لاَ يُصَلِّي عَلَيْهَا الْمَكْتُوبَةَ .
Salim bin `Abdullah Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah (may peace be. upon him) used to observe Nafl (supererogatory) prayer on his ride no matter in what direction it turned its face, and he observed Witr too on it, but did not observe obligatory prayer on it.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 700iIn-book reference : Book 6, Hadith 49USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 4, Hadith 1505
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 700i
This hadith about Nafl and Witr on a ride is especially clear because it also says what was not done. Salim reports from his father that the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم used to offer supererogatory prayer on his riding animal in whatever direction it turned. He also observed Witr on it. Then the report adds that he did not observe the obligatory prayer on it. This makes the core topic easy to see: voluntary prayer and Witr on a ride, with a clear note about the prescribed prayer. For users searching for can you pray Nafl on a ride, Witr on camel hadith, or obligatory prayer on ride hadith, this narration gives the wording directly.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم prayed Nafl on his ride in whichever direction it turned.
- He also prayed Witr on the riding animal.
- The narration states that he did not pray the obligatory prayer on it.
