20/31. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 1683 — Pray Witr Before Dawn
The command to pray witr before dawn
Pray Witr Before Dawn: A Clear Hadith
Sunan an-Nasai : 1683
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 1683
أَخْبَرَنَا عُبَيْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ فَضَالَةَ بْنِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، قَالَ أَنْبَأَنَا مُحَمَّدٌ، - وَهُوَ ابْنُ الْمُبَارَكِ - قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا مُعَاوِيَةُ، - وَهُوَ ابْنُ سَلاَّمِ بْنِ أَبِي سَلاَّمٍ - عَنْ يَحْيَى بْنِ أَبِي كَثِيرٍ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي أَبُو نَضْرَةَ الْعَوَقِيُّ، أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ أَبَا سَعِيدٍ الْخُدْرِيَّ، يَقُولُ سُئِلَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَنِ الْوَتْرِ فَقَالَ " أَوْتِرُوا قَبْلَ الصُّبْحِ " .
Abu Sa'eed Al-Khudri Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was asked about witr and he said: 'Pray witr before dawn (Subh).'
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 1683In-book reference : Book 20, Hadith 86English translation : Vol. 2, Book 20, Hadith 1684
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 1683
This hadith answers a common question: when is Witr prayer before Fajr? Abu Sa'eed Al-Khudri reports that the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم was asked about Witr, and he said to pray Witr before dawn, or Subh. The narration is brief and focused. It does not discuss the number of rak'ahs, recitation, or other prayer details. Its main teaching is timing. For anyone searching for Witr before dawn hadith, this text gives a plain answer: Witr belongs before the arrival of Subh. The wording also helps connect Witr with the final part of night prayer, while keeping the message easy to understand.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم answered the question about Witr with a timing rule.
- Witr should be prayed before Subh.
- The hadith stays focused on when to pray Witr.
- It teaches care before dawn enters.
