Originally posted 2017-05-14 00:00:51.
Witr Prayer
Question:
What is the ruling of the Witr prayer? Is it an obligatory or nafl prayer? I have not offered Witr prayer for a long time, do I have to make it up?
Answer:
Witr Prayer is the last prayer that a Muslim offers at night. It is a highly recommended Sunnah prayer. A Muslim may offer it at any time after the `Isha’ Prayer (Night Prayer) and before the Fajr Prayer (Dawn Prayer). Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Perform Witr prayer before dawn.” (Muslim)
The Prophet (peace upon him) did not leave the Witr Prayer even if he was on a journey or on his mount. Therefore, some scholars have classified it as wajib (obligatory) such as Imam Abu Hanifah, but the majority of scholars see that it is a confirmed Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him).
Responding to this question, Dr. Muhammad Salah narrates the following hadith regarding the mandatory and nafl prayers, “A man from Najd with unkempt hair came to Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) and we heard his loud voice but could not understand what he was saying, till he came near and then we came to know that he was asking about Islam. Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) said, “You have to offer prayers perfectly five times in a day and night (24 hours).” The man asked, “Is there any more (praying)?” Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) replied, “No, but if you want to offer the Nawafil prayers (you can)”. (Al-Bukhari)
Do not miss watching this interesting fatwa with Dr. Muhammad Salah to know the ruling of the Witr Prayer.
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Source: Iqra Youtube Channel.