20/36. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 1698 — No Taslim After Two Rak'ahs in Witr
How to pray witr with three rak'ahs
Witr Taslim: A Hadith from Aishah
Sunan an-Nasai : 1698
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 1698
أَخْبَرَنَا إِسْمَاعِيلُ بْنُ مَسْعُودٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا بِشْرُ بْنُ الْمُفَضَّلِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا سَعِيدٌ، عَنْ قَتَادَةَ، عَنْ زُرَارَةَ بْنِ أَوْفَى، عَنْ سَعْدِ بْنِ هِشَامٍ، أَنَّ عَائِشَةَ، حَدَّثَتْهُ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم كَانَ لاَ يُسَلِّمُ فِي رَكْعَتَىِ الْوَتْرِ .
Sa'd bin Hisham Narrated from:
Aishah told him: "The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) would not say the taslim for two rak'ahs during witr."
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 1698In-book reference : Book 20, Hadith 101English translation : Vol. 2, Book 20, Hadith 1699
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 1698
This hadith focuses on Witr taslim. Sa'd bin Hisham reports that Aishah told him the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم would not say the taslim for two rak'ahs during Witr. The narration is short and specific. It does not list the full prayer method or all possible Witr forms. So the explanation should stay close to the text: in this reported Witr practice, there was no taslim at the point of two rak'ahs. People searching for three rak'ah Witr without taslim may find this narration relevant, but the hadith itself only states the reported action. It is a focused report about how Witr was performed.
What we learn from this hadith
- Aishah reported a specific practice in Witr.
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم did not say taslim for two rak'ahs during Witr in this report.
- The hadith speaks about the form of Witr.
- It should be understood without adding details not stated in the text.
