Masruq reported on the authority of 'A'isha that she said that the Messenger Of Allah (ﷺ) used to observe the Witr prayer every night, maybe in the early part of night, at midnight and in the latter part, finishing his Witr at dawn.
The Book of Prayer - Travellers
Sahih Muslim 745 b
Hadith Text
Masruq reported on the authority of 'A'isha that she said that the Messenger Of Allah (ﷺ) used to observe the Witr prayer every night, maybe in the early part of night, at midnight and in the latter part, finishing his Witr at dawn.
Scholarly Commentary
This noble hadith establishes the perpetual practice of the Prophet (ﷺ) in performing the Witr prayer nightly, demonstrating its emphasized status among the nawafil (supererogatory prayers). The flexibility in timing - early night, midnight, or late night - indicates the vast mercy of Allah's legislation, accommodating various circumstances while maintaining the obligation's fulfillment.
The phrase "finishing his Witr at dawn" signifies that the latest permissible time for Witr extends until the break of dawn (Fajr), though the preferred time is the last third of the night. This timing allows combining the virtue of night prayer with the state of those awakening for Tahajjud. The variation in timing reflects the Prophet's comprehensive guidance, teaching the ummah different acceptable practices within the Shariah's boundaries.
Scholars derive from this that Witr, while highly emphasized, remains a confirmed sunnah rather than an absolute obligation, as the Prophet (ﷺ) never abandoned it, yet its timing demonstrated flexibility unavailable to obligatory prayers. This hadith serves as foundational evidence for the legitimacy of performing Witr throughout the night until Fajr's entrance.