Sunan an-Nasa'i 1742

Overview & Central Theme

This hadith, recorded by Imam An-Nasa'i in his Sunan (1742), establishes the Prophetic practice of reciting specific Surahs in the Witr prayer. The central theme is the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ in prescribing the recitation of "Sabbihisma Rabbikal-A'la" (Surah Al-A'la, 87:1) in the Witr, which is the concluding voluntary prayer of the night. The narration, transmitted through Shu'bah from Qatadah from Zurarah from Abdur-Rahman bin Abza, highlights the precision of the Prophet's ﷺ worship and the importance of following his example in the details of prayer. The wisdom here is twofold: it demonstrates the virtue of consistency in recitation during Witr, and it underscores that even voluntary acts of worship are to be performed with deliberate, guided reverence, reflecting the Prophet's ﷺ meticulous care in aligning every aspect of prayer with divine revelation.

Context & Linguistic Insights

The hadith is attributed to Abdur-Rahman bin Abza, a companion known for his piety, and is a clear statement of the Prophet's ﷺ practice. The key phrase "Glorify the Name of your Lord, the Most High" (Sabbihisma Rabbikal-A'la) is the opening of Surah Al-A'la, which linguistically emphasizes tasbih (glorification) and the attribute of Allah's supreme elevation (Al-A'la). The term "Witr" (odd-numbered prayer) is derived from the root "w-t-r," meaning oddness or singularity, signifying the prayer that seals the night's worship with an odd rakah. The chain is rigorously authentic (Sahih), with Shu'bah ibn Al-Hajjaj, a renowned hadith master, affirming his direct hearing from Qatadah, ensuring the reliability of the transmission. The context of this narration relates to the broader guidance of the Prophet ﷺ on Witr, where he often recited Surah Al-A'la, Surah Al-Kafirun, and Surah Al-Ikhlas in different rakahs, with this hadith specifically detailing the first rakah. This reflects the divine wisdom in selecting Surahs that encapsulate tawhid (monotheism), glorification, and sincerity, making the Witr a comprehensive act of devotion.

Key Scholarly Insights & Legal Benefits

• The hadith establishes the Sunnah of reciting Surah Al-A'la in the first rakah of Witr, a practice consistently reported in multiple authentic narrations, and it is recommended (mustahabb) for the worshipper to follow this Prophetic model.
• It demonstrates that the Prophet ﷺ prescribed specific Surahs for Witr to instill a rhythm of glorification and devotion, teaching that voluntary prayers should be performed with intentionality and spiritual depth, not mere ritual.
• Scholars, including the Hanbali and Shafi'i schools, derive from this and related narrations that the complete Sunnah of Witr recitation includes Surah Al-A'la in the first rakah, Surah Al-Kafirun in the second, and Surah Al-Ikhlas in the third, though the minimum of reciting any Quranic portion is valid.

"It is recommended to recite in Witr: 'Glorify the Name of your Lord, the Most High' in the first rakah, 'Say: O disbelievers' in the second, and 'Say: He is Allah, the One' in the third, for this is established from the Prophet ﷺ in authentic narrations." — Imam An-Nawawi, Al-Majmu' Sharh Al-Muhadhdhab

Daily Life & Spiritual Application

In our daily lives, this hadith calls us to approach the Witr prayer—and all acts of worship—with a spirit of intentional emulation of the Prophet ﷺ. By reciting Surah Al-A'la, we affirm Allah's supreme majesty and our own humility, transforming a simple prayer into a profound declaration of tawhid. Practically, a Muslim can implement this teaching by memorizing and reciting these Surahs in Witr, ensuring the prayer is not rushed but savored with reflection on the meanings of glorification and sincerity. Furthermore, the hadith inspires us to seek knowledge of the Prophetic details in all our rituals, moving from mere habit to conscious devotion, and to cultivate a nightly connection with Allah through Witr, even if it is a single rakah, as the Prophet ﷺ said, "Witr is a duty for every Muslim." This teaching encourages us to make Witr a steadfast part of our night routine, a seal of our day's worship, and a means of drawing closer to Allah with excellence (Ihsan), embodying the verse, "And the servants of the Most Merciful are those who walk upon the earth easily" (Al-Furqan: 63).