"I asked 'Aishah about the Witr of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), how would he perform Witr, was it during the first part of the night or the end of it? She said: 'All of that. Sometimes he would perform Witr during the first part of the night, and sometimes he would perform Witr during the end of it.' So I said: 'All praise is due to Allah who made the matter accommodating.' I said: 'How was his recitation, was he quiet with recitations or loud?' She said: 'He would do all of that. Sometimes he would recite quietly and sometimes aloud.' I said: 'All praise is due to Allah who made the matter accommodating. He said: 'I said: 'How would he deal with sexual impurity? Would he perform Ghusl prior to sleeping or would he sleep prior to Ghusl?' She said: 'He would do all of that. Sometimes he would perform Ghusl then sleep, and sometimes he would perform Wudu and then sleep.' I said: 'Allah praise is due to Allah who made the matter accommodating.'"
Narrated by Narrated 'Abdullah bin Abi Qais :
Context
In this narration, Aisha describes the various ways the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) performed the Witr prayer, indicating that he would sometimes pray it at different times and in different manners. This highlights the flexibility and adaptability in Islamic practices, allowing for personal circumstances and preferences.
Modern Application
In the context of daily Salah, this hadith encourages Muslims to find a prayer routine that fits their individual circumstances. It emphasizes that there is no single way to perform prayers, allowing for personal adaptation while maintaining the essence of worship.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Prayer and Prophetic Teachings because it illustrates the diverse ways the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) practiced prayer, promoting flexibility in worship.
Indeed, your Lord knows, [O Muhammad], that you stand [in prayer] almost two thirds of the night or half of it or a third of it, and [so do] a group of those with you. And Allah determines [the extent of] the night and the day. He has known that you [Muslims] will not be able to do it and has turned to you in forgiveness, so recite what is easy [for you] of the Qur'an. He has known that there will be among you those who are ill and others traveling throughout the land seeking [something] of the bounty of Allah and others fighting for the cause of Allah. So recite what is easy from it and establish prayer and give zakah and loan Allah a goodly loan. And whatever good you put forward for yourselves - you will find it with Allah. It is better and greater in reward. And seek forgiveness of Allah. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.
O you who have believed, let those whom your right hands possess and those who have not [yet] reached puberty among you ask permission of you [before entering] at three times: before the dawn prayer and when you put aside your clothing [for rest] at noon and after the night prayer. [These are] three times of privacy for you. There is no blame upon you nor upon them beyond these [periods], for they continually circulate among you - some of you, among others. Thus does Allah make clear to you the verses; and Allah is Knowing and Wise.
Establish prayer at the decline of the sun [from its meridian] until the darkness of the night and [also] the Qur'an of dawn. Indeed, the recitation of dawn is ever witnessed.
And when you have completed the prayer, remember Allah standing, sitting, or [lying] on your sides. But when you become secure, re-establish [regular] prayer. Indeed, prayer has been decreed upon the believers a decree of specified times.
This hadith is #3007 from Jami` at-Tirmidhi, in the Book of Chapters on The Virtues of the Qur'an. It is graded Da'if and narrated by Narrated 'Abdullah bin Abi Qais :.