Question

What is meant by the following Hadith?

Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:

“Don’t make witr 3 rak’ats, and do not let it resemble maghrib. Read witr with 5 or 7 rak’ats”

(Narrated by Daraqutni and Hakim 1138 authenticated by Imam Dhahabi in Talkis)

Answer

Maghrib salah does not have

a) Any specified nafl salah that precedes it,

b) Neither is there any qunut (du’a before ruku’ of the last rak’at) in the maghrib salah.

This Hadith is encouraging us to

a) Ensure that our witr is not the only salah we offer at night (i.e., one should offer nafl rak’ats prior to the witr). Therefore Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Don’t make witr 3 rak’ats” (i.e., only three rak’ats)

b) And to recite the qunut in the last rak’at of the witr salah, which is not done in the maghrib salah.

(Mirqat, Hadith: 1254)

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best,

Answered by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar