I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: The witr is a duty, so he who does not observe it does not belong to us; the witr is a duty, so he who does not observe it does not belong to us; the witr is a duty, so he who does not observe it does not belong to us.
Hadith Text & Context
"I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: The witr is a duty, so he who does not observe it does not belong to us; the witr is a duty, so he who does not observe it does not belong to us; the witr is a duty, so he who does not observe it does not belong to us."
This narration is recorded in Sunan Abi Dawud 1419 from the Companion Abu Sa'id al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him). The Prophet (ﷺ) repeated this statement thrice for emphasis.
Scholarly Commentary on "Duty" (Wajib)
The term "duty" (wajib) in this hadith has been interpreted differently among classical scholars. The Hanafi school considers witr prayer as obligatory (wajib), citing this and other evidences. The majority of scholars (Maliki, Shafi'i, Hanbali) consider it a confirmed sunnah (sunnah mu'akkadah), interpreting "duty" here as emphasizing its great importance rather than literal obligation.
Imam al-Nawawi (Shafi'i) explains that the strong wording indicates it is among the most emphasized supererogatory prayers, approaching the level of obligation without reaching it.
Meaning of "Does Not Belong to Us"
This severe expression indicates the gravity of neglecting witr prayer. Scholars explain it means distancing oneself from the complete practice of the Muslim community and the way of the Prophet (ﷺ). It does not imply outright disbelief or exclusion from Islam, but rather indicates a serious shortcoming in religious practice.
Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani notes that such expressions in hadith literature serve to emphasize the importance of an act and warn against its neglect.
Practical Ruling & Wisdom
Regardless of the scholarly difference in classification, all agree that witr prayer is tremendously important and should not be abandoned. The wisdom behind its emphasis includes: completing the night prayers, seeking Allah's protection during the night, and following the consistent practice of the Prophet (ﷺ) who never abandoned it, even while traveling.
The minimum witr is one rak'ah, while the most complete is eleven rak'at. It is performed after the Isha prayer until dawn, with the best time being the last part of the night.