Witr Prayers

[Shian e Ali]

(Salam)

Dear Sunni brothers, if the holy prophet (pbuh) used to pray only one Rakaah of witr prayers, then why do you guys offer 3 Rakaah prayer of witr?

Volume 2, Book 16, Number 107 :

Narrated by 'Abdullah bin 'Umar

The Prophet said, "Night prayer is offered as two Rakat followed by two Rakat and so on, and if you want to finish it, pray only ONE RAKAAH which will be Witr for all the previous Rakat." Al-Qasim said, "Since we attained the age of puberty we have seen some people offering a three-Rakat prayer as Witr and all that is permissible. I hope there will be no harm in it."

NOTE: The Prophet prayed only 1 rakaah!

Volume 2, Book 16, Number 109 :

Narrated by Anas bin Sirin

I asked Ibn 'Umar, "What is your opinion about the two Rakat before the Fajr (compulsory) prayer, as to prolonging the recitation in them?" He said, "The Prophet (p.b.u.h) used to pray at night two Rakat followed by two and so on, and end the prayer by ONE RAKAAH Witr. He used to offer two Rakat before the Fajr prayer immediately after the Adhan." (Hammad, the sub-narrator said, "That meant (that he prayed) quickly.)"

Volume 2, Book 16, Number 106 :

Narrated by Ibn 'Abbas

Once I passed the night in the house of Maimuna (his aunt). I slept across the bed while Allah's Apostle and his wife slept length-wise. The Prophet slept till midnight or nearly so and woke up rubbing his face and recited ten verses from Surat "Aal-Imran." Allah's Apostle went towards a leather skin and performed ablution in the most perfect way and then stood for the prayer. I did the same and stood beside him. The Prophet put his right hand on my head, twisted my ear and then prayed two Rakat five times and then ended his prayer with Witr. He laid down till the Muadh-dhin came then he stood up and offered two Rakat (Sunna of Fajr prayer) and then went out and offered the Fajr prayer.

Volume 2, Book 16, Number 105 :

Narrated by Ibn Umar

Once a person asked Allah's Apostle about the night prayer. Allah's Apostle replied, "The night prayer is offered as two Rakat followed by two Rakat and so on and if anyone is afraid of the approaching dawn (Fajr prayer) he should pray ONE RAKAAH and this will be a Witr for all the Rakat which he has prayed before." Nafi' told that 'Abdullah bin 'Umar used to say Taslim between (the first) two Rakat and (the third) odd one in the Witr prayer, when he wanted to attend to a certain matter (during that interval between the Rakat).

Alhamdulillah! I'm the followers of Mohammed (pbuh) But it seems Sunnis follow Abdullah bin Omar, as the 3 rakaahs were his invention, whereas the Prophet (pbuh) always prayed only one rakaah.

Sunni prayers: Max 8 rakaah Tahajjud And they add the 3 witr rakaahs to complete 11 rakaahs.

Also, as far as I could see, most Sunnis consider witr a part of Isha salaah.

Edited January 15, 2014 by Shian e Ali

[realizm]

Salam

 

Edited : completely missed out the point where you were adressing sunnis.

Edited January 15, 2014 by realizm

[Shian e Ali]

(Salam)

Oh! Sorry, brother. You didn't like the way I wrote it? Should've given headings. :|

Anyways, the top line is the question for my Sunni brothers. The ahadeeth r the proof of the Holy Prophet (pbuh) praying only One rakaah witr salaah. The last Point written as 'Sunni Prayers' is a side note. :) I hope now it makes a little sense. :P

[Shian e Ali]

What? No one to answer my question? Am I supposed to be confused forever? :P Or do you guys really don't know as to why you pray three rakaahs unlike the prophet?

[Just the truth]

What? No one to answer my question? Am I supposed to be confused forever? :P Or do you guys really don't know as to why you pray three rakaahs unlike the prophet?

حدثنا إسماعيل ابن العباس الوراق حدثنا محمد ابن حسان الأزرق ثنا سفيان ابن عيينة عن الزهري عن عطاء ابن يزيد عن أبي أيوب عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: «الوتر حق واجب، فمن شاء أوتر بثلاث فليوتر، ومن شاء أن يوتر بواحدة فليوتر، بواحدة.

Translation: Narrated by Abu Ayyub who narrated from the Prophet (Peace be upon him) who said: Witr is a "RIGHT (HAQQ)" upon you which is “WAJIB”. If you want to pray it with three rakahs then do it, If you want to pray it with one rakah then do it. [sunnan Daraqutni, Hadith # 1617]

[Shian e Ali]

(Salam)

Thank you for your reply, brother.

But you guys have different rulings everywhere. Your own books are contradicting each other with different point of views. For example, what about the hadeeths I mentioned? Will you take them as false? I read another hadeeth saying that a slave saw Muawiyah praying one rakaah witr even after the passing of our Holy Prophet (pbuh). Hadeeth like these are the ones which create problems for the readers.

I just read an article after your post which is proving that one rakaah witr is not the right prayer. It even has the same hadeeth you mentioned, meaning that the writer is contradicting himself & creating confusions for his readers.

& it's weird how our Prophet (pbuh) only brought 5 wajib prayers as a gift for us & after that another one showed up later to be wajib? That makes 6 wajib prayers not 5.

Edited January 18, 2014 by Shian e Ali

[Just the truth]

(Salam)

Thank you for your reply, brother.

But you guys have different rulings everywhere. Your own books are contradicting each other with different point of views. For example, what about the hadeeths I mentioned? Will you take them as false? I read another hadeeth saying that a slave saw Muawiyah praying one rakaah witr even after the passing of our Holy Prophet (pbuh). Hadeeth like these are the ones which create problems for the readers.

I just read an article after your post which is proving that one rakaah witr is not the right prayer. It even has the same hadeeth you mentioned, meaning that the writer is contradicting himself & creating confusions for his readers.

& it's weird how our Prophet (pbuh) only brought 5 wajib prayers as a gift for us & after that another one showed up later to be wajib? That makes 6 wajib prayers not 5.

There's no contradictions...it's an option as you can see it says in the hadith. There's a difference between choice and contradiction brother. As for the articles you read then such people should be ignored.

"& it's weird how our Prophet (pbuh) only brought 5 wajib prayers as a gift for us & after that another one showed up later to be wajib? That makes 6 wajib prayers not 5."

What you mean bro

Edited January 18, 2014 by Just the truth

[Shian e Ali]

This is what I read: http://www.ahlus-sunna.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=96&Itemid=156

By my above statement "& it's weird how our Prophet only brought 5 wajib prayers as a gift for us & after that another one showed up later to be wajib? That makes 6 wajib prayers not 5." I meant that our Prophet (pbuh) brought Fajr, Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib & Isha as wajib prayers for his ummah. Then how did a sixth prayer (witr) become wajib? Doesn't that make 6 wajib prayers?

P.S I'm just here to learn. So, if I offend you in anyway, please do tell. I'll correct myself.

[Just the truth]

This is what I read: http://www.ahlus-sunna.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=96&Itemid=156

By my above statement "& it's weird how our Prophet only brought 5 wajib prayers as a gift for us & after that another one showed up later to be wajib? That makes 6 wajib prayers not 5." I meant that our Prophet (pbuh) brought Fajr, Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib & Isha as wajib prayers for his ummah. Then how did a sixth prayer (witr) become wajib? Doesn't that make 6 wajib prayers?

P.S I'm just here to learn. So, if I offend you in anyway, please do tell. I'll correct myself.

I see your point. Let me look into it and will get back to you. Also there's nothing offensive about what you've said..nothing wrong with questioning each other's sects... I also have many questions regarding shia but they're questions for another thread Edited January 18, 2014 by Just the truth