The Obligatory Nature of Witr

This hadith establishes Witr prayer as a confirmed obligation (wajib) upon every Muslim, as indicated by the term "duty" (haqq). While the five daily prayers are fard (compulsory), Witr holds a status between fard and sunnah mu'akkadah (emphasized tradition), making its regular observance highly recommended and neglecting it blameworthy.

Flexibility in Rak'ah Count

The Prophet ﷺ granted flexibility in performing Witr with one, three, or five rak'ahs, demonstrating the ease and mercy of Islamic legislation. This accommodation considers varying circumstances and capabilities of worshippers while maintaining the prayer's spiritual essence.

When performing three rak'ahs, the preferred method is to pray two rak'ahs with salutation, then one separate rak'ah. Alternatively, one may pray three consecutive rak'ahs with one tashahhud at the end, though the first method is superior according to most scholars.

Scholarly Interpretation

Imam al-Nawawi explains that the permissibility of different rak'ah counts reflects the Shariah's consideration for people's different states and capacities. The minimum of one rak'ah ensures even the busiest or weakest individual can fulfill this obligation.

Ibn Qudamah al-Maqdisi notes that while all three options are valid, the three-rak'ah Witr was most commonly practiced by the Prophet ﷺ, making it the most recommended form for those able to perform it.

Legal Ruling and Practice

The majority of scholars consider Witr as strongly emphasized sunnah (sunnah mu'akkadah), while the Hanafi school regards it as obligatory (wajib). Regardless of this technical difference, all agree on its great importance in the nightly prayers.

This hadith from Sunan Abi Dawud 1422 in "Prayer (Kitab Al-Salat): Detailed Injunctions about Witr" serves as foundational evidence for the flexibility and status of this significant act of worship in a Muslim's daily spiritual practice.