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Text and translation
English translation
1316. It was narrated that Sa’d bin Hishām said: “I said: ‘O Mother of the Believers! Tell me about the Witr of the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ.’ She said: ‘We used to prepare his Siwāk and water for purification, then Allāh would wake him when He willed to wake him at night. He would use the Siwāk and perform Wuḍū’, then pray eight Rak’ahs; not sitting until the eighth Rak’ah, when he would sit and remember Allāh and call upon Him. Then he would say the Taslim loud enough for us to hear.’” (Ṣaḥīḥ)
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Commentary
“He would not sit”: Even so, in the optional prayer, if the sitting posture is not adopted after two units, and if it is assumed after the final unit and the Tashahhud, etc. is recited, the prayer will be valid. Although in the obligatory ritual prayer, one ought to sit for the testimony after two units. If one forgets it, the prayer will be valid, but the prostration for forgetfulness is essential. If one abandons it intently, the prayer should be prayed again.
In view of the number of units (odd-numbered) it is often called Witr, otherwise they are all night vigil (Qiyamul-Layl). Whatever number of units are performed, they should be odd-numbered. Some have prescribed three
units as its limit. But there is evidence of the Prophet ﷺ and some of the Companions having performed it as only one unit. Therefore, it is permissible to offer sometimes one Rak'ah also!
