6/20. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 754a — Observe Witr Before Morning
The night prayers are two by two, and Witr is one rakah at the end of the night
Observe Witr Before Morning: A Direct Hadith on Witr Time
Sahih Muslim : 754a
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 754a
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الأَعْلَى بْنُ عَبْدِ الأَعْلَى، عَنْ مَعْمَرٍ، عَنْ يَحْيَى بْنِ أَبِي كَثِيرٍ، عَنْ أَبِي نَضْرَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ، أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " أَوْتِرُوا قَبْلَ أَنْ تُصْبِحُوا " .
Abu Sa'id Narrated from:
Abu Sa'id (al Khudri) reported Allah's Apostle (ﷺ) as saying: Observe Witr prayer before it is morning. Abu Sa'id reported that they (the Prophet's Companions) asked the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) about Witr (prayer). (In reply to their inquiry) he said: Observe Witr prayer before it is morning.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 754aIn-book reference : Book 6, Hadith 193USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 4, Hadith 1648
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 754a
This Hadith gives a short and direct answer about the timing of Witr prayer. Abu Sa'id al-Khudri reports that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said, "Observe Witr prayer before it is morning." The report also mentions that some Companions asked the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) about Witr, and he gave the same answer: observe Witr before it is morning. For people searching for Witr before morning, Witr prayer time, or Sahih Muslim 754a, the teaching is easy to follow. The Hadith focuses on the ending time, not on lengthy detail. It reminds the worshipper that Witr should be completed before the morning arrives, so the night prayer is not left unfinished.
What we learn from this hadith
- Witr should be observed before morning.
- The Companions asked about Witr, and the answer focused on timing.
- The Hadith encourages completing Witr before dawn arrives.
