Witr Prayer

Sahih al-Bukhari 998

Hadith Text

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Make witr as your last prayer at night."

Commentary

This hadith establishes the fundamental ruling that the Witr prayer should conclude one's nightly prayers. The wisdom behind this injunction is that the night prayers should end with an odd number, as the Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Allah is Witr (Odd) and loves what is witr." Witr serves as a seal and completion of the voluntary night prayers.

Scholars have unanimously agreed that Witr should be performed after the Isha prayer and before the break of dawn. It is recommended to delay Witr until the last portion of the night for those who awaken for Tahajjud, while others may perform it immediately after Isha to ensure its fulfillment.

The term "last prayer" indicates that no voluntary prayer should follow Witr, though the missed Witr can be made up during daytime with an even number of rak'ahs. This ruling emphasizes the special status of Witr as the crowning prayer of the night's worship.