I went to 'Abdullah b. 'Abbas and asked him about the Witr prayer, and the rest of the hadith is the same as recorded in this event. She (Hadrat 'A'isha) said: Who is that Hisham? I said: Son of 'Amir. She said: What a fine man 'Amir was! He died as a martyr in the Battle of Uhud.
The Book of Prayer - Travellers
Sahih Muslim 746 c
Contextual Analysis
This narration demonstrates the meticulous transmission of hadith through multiple reliable chains. The mention of Hisham ibn 'Amir and his father's martyrdom at Uhud serves to establish the credibility and noble lineage of the narrators, which is essential in authenticating prophetic traditions.
Scholarly Commentary
The reference to 'Amir's martyrdom at Uhud highlights the honor of dying in Allah's cause and establishes the trustworthiness of the narrators. This authentication process is fundamental in Islamic scholarship to ensure the preservation of authentic prophetic teachings.
The inquiry about Witr prayer indicates the importance Companions placed on understanding prayer details directly from knowledgeable sources like Ibn 'Abbas, who was renowned for his deep understanding of the Quran and Sunnah.
Legal Implications
This narration forms part of the larger discussion on Witr prayer's legitimacy and performance. The consistent transmission through multiple chains reinforces the obligatory nature of Witr according to the Hanbali school or its high recommendation according to other schools.