6/17. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 736a — Eleven Rak'ahs at Night
Night prayers and the number of rak`ah offered by the Prophet (saws) at night, and that Witr is one rak`ah, and a one-rak`ah prayer is correct
Hadith About the Prophet’s Night Prayer of Eleven Rak'ahs
Sahih Muslim : 736a
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 736a
حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ يَحْيَى، قَالَ قَرَأْتُ عَلَى مَالِكٍ عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، عَنْ عُرْوَةَ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم كَانَ يُصَلِّي بِاللَّيْلِ إِحْدَى عَشْرَةَ رَكْعَةً يُوتِرُ مِنْهَا بِوَاحِدَةٍ فَإِذَا فَرَغَ مِنْهَا اضْطَجَعَ عَلَى شِقِّهِ الأَيْمَنِ حَتَّى يَأْتِيَهُ الْمُؤَذِّنُ فَيُصَلِّي رَكْعَتَيْنِ خَفِيفَتَيْنِ .
A'isha Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to pray eleven rak'ahs at night, observing the Witr with a single rak'ah, and when he had finished them, he lay down on his right side, till the Mu'adhdhin came to him and he (the Holy Prophet) then observed two short rak'ahs (of Sunan of the dawn prayer).
Reference : Sahih Muslim 736aIn-book reference : Book 6, Hadith 147USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 4, Hadith 1602
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 736a
This hadith about the Prophet’s night prayer gives a clear pattern from A'isha. She reported that the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) used to pray eleven rak'ahs at night. He observed Witr with a single rak'ah. After finishing, he lay down on his right side until the Mu'adhdhin came to him. Then he prayed two short rak'ahs of the Sunnah of the dawn prayer. For people searching for eleven rakahs night prayer hadith, Witr one rakah hadith, or Prophet Tahajjud prayer, this narration gives direct details without extra discussion. The hadith shows night prayer, Witr, a short rest, and the two light rak'ahs before Fajr. It is a calm report of worship and routine.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) prayed eleven rak'ahs at night in this report.
- He made Witr with a single rak'ah.
- After the night prayer, he lay on his right side.
- He prayed two short rak'ahs when the Mu'adhdhin came.
