"Allah's Messenger came out to us and he said: 'Indeed Allah has assisted you with a Salat that is better for you than red camels: Al-Witr which Allah made for you between the Isha prayer till Al-Fajr has begun."
The Excellence of Al-Witr Prayer
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasized the immense virtue of Witr prayer by comparing it to red camels, which were considered among the most valuable possessions in Arabian society. This analogy signifies that performing Witr is more precious than worldly wealth and should be highly prioritized by believers.
Timing and Significance
The designated time for Witr prayer extends from after the obligatory Isha prayer until the break of dawn (Fajr). This wide timeframe accommodates various circumstances while encouraging consistency in this blessed act of worship.
Scholars note that performing Witr later in the night is preferable, as it follows the example of the Prophet who would delay it until the final third of the night, combining it with Tahajjud prayer when possible.
Divine Assistance Through Worship
The phrase "Allah has assisted you" indicates that Witr is a special gift and facilitation from Allah to draw closer to Him. It serves as a means of seeking Allah's protection, forgiveness, and blessings throughout the night.
This prayer acts as a seal for the night prayers and provides spiritual protection, as mentioned in other authentic narrations where the Prophet described Witr as a right upon every Muslim.
Legal Ruling and Practice
According to the majority of scholars, Witr prayer is a confirmed Sunnah (Sunnah Mu'akkadah) that should not be neglected. Some eminent scholars considered it obligatory based on the strength of its recommendation in numerous authentic traditions.
The prayer consists of an odd number of rak'ahs, typically one, three, five, seven, or nine, with the most common being three rak'ahs performed with specific methods of tashahhud and tasleem as taught by the Prophet.