Is this hadith authentic?

This hadith is graded Sahih. Sahih hadiths are considered the most authentic grade in hadith classification.

Which collection is this hadith from?

This hadith is from Sunan Abu Dawud, which contains 5,276 hadiths across 43 books. It is hadith number 711 in the Book of Prayer (Kitab Al-Salat).

I searched for a different number — is this the right hadith?

Hadith numbering varies across editions and translations (USC-MSA, Dar as-Salam, Fath al-Bari, and others). If you followed a link citing a different number but landed here, you may have been redirected to the canonical version in our library. If you were looking for a different hadith entirely, use the search bar to find it by text.

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#710

#711

Sunan Abu Dawud

#712

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Sunan Abu Dawud #711

Q: What is Sunan Abu Dawud 711 about?

This hadith from Sunan Abu Dawud (Book of Prayer (Kitab Al-Salat)), narrated by ‘Urwah reported on the authority of ‘A’ishah:, states: "The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to pray at night and she (‘A’ishah) would lie between him and the qiblah, sleeping on the bed on which he would sleep. When he wanted to offer the witr prayer, he awake…"

Prayer (Kitab Al-Salat)

Sahih

The Arabic includes the chain of narration (sanad) and the collector's commentary; the English translation shows the Prophet's words only.

حَدَّثَنَا أَحْمَدُ بْنُ يُونُسَ، حَدَّثَنَا زُهَيْرٌ، حَدَّثَنَا هِشَامُ بْنُ عُرْوَةَ، عَنْ عُرْوَةَ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم كَانَ يُصَلِّي صَلاَتَهُ مِنَ اللَّيْلِ وَهِيَ مُعْتَرِضَةٌ بَيْنَهُ وَبَيْنَ الْقِبْلَةِ رَاقِدَةً عَلَى الْفِرَاشِ الَّذِي يَرْقُدُ عَلَيْهِ حَتَّى إِذَا أَرَادَ أَنْ يُوتِرَ أَيْقَظَهَا فَأَوْتَرَتْ ‏.‏

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to pray at night and she (‘A’ishah) would lie between him and the qiblah, sleeping on the bed on which he would sleep. When he wanted to offer the witr prayer, he awakened her and she offered the witr prayer.

Narrated by ‘Urwah reported on the authority of ‘A’ishah:

Context

In this narration, A'ishah describes how the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) would pray at night while she rested nearby. When it was time for the witr prayer, he would gently wake her to join him. This highlights the Prophet's consideration for his family and the importance of communal worship, even in private settings. The takeaway is the balance of personal devotion and family involvement in worship.

Modern Application

This principle is relevant today as it encourages families to engage in prayer together, fostering a spiritual bond. It reminds us to be mindful of our loved ones while maintaining our personal worship practices.

Topics

This hadith is tagged with Prayer and Prophetic Conduct because it illustrates the Prophet Muhammad's (ﷺ) approach to combining personal worship with family involvement.

Prayer Prophetic Conduct

Related Ayahs

سُورَةُ الإِسۡرَاءِ

Al-Israa (The Night Journey)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

2 ayahs

أَقِمِ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ لِدُلُوكِ ٱلشَّمْسِ إِلَىٰ غَسَقِ ٱلَّيْلِ وَقُرْءَانَ ٱلْفَجْرِ ۖ إِنَّ قُرْءَانَ ٱلْفَجْرِ كَانَ مَشْهُودًۭا

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.

وَمِنَ ٱلَّيْلِ فَتَهَجَّدْ بِهِۦ نَافِلَةًۭ لَّكَ عَسَىٰٓ أَن يَبْعَثَكَ رَبُّكَ مَقَامًۭا مَّحْمُودًۭا

And from [part of] the night, pray with it as additional [worship] for you; it is expected that your Lord will resurrect you to a praised station.

سُورَةُ قٓ

Qaaf (The letter Qaaf)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

وَمِنَ ٱلَّيْلِ فَسَبِّحْهُ وَأَدْبَٰرَ ٱلسُّجُودِ

And [in part] of the night exalt Him and after prostration.

سُورَةُ النِّسَاءِ

An-Nisaa (The Women)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

فَإِذَا قَضَيْتُمُ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ فَٱذْكُرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ قِيَٰمًۭا وَقُعُودًۭا وَعَلَىٰ جُنُوبِكُمْ ۚ فَإِذَا ٱطْمَأْنَنتُمْ فَأَقِيمُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ ۚ إِنَّ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ كَانَتْ عَلَى ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ كِتَٰبًۭا مَّوْقُوتًۭا

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.

سُورَةُ الإِنسَانِ

Al-Insaan (Man)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

وَمِنَ ٱلَّيْلِ فَٱسْجُدْ لَهُۥ وَسَبِّحْهُ لَيْلًۭا طَوِيلًا

And during the night prostrate to Him and exalt Him a long [part of the] night.

Common Words

58 total47 unique6 repeated

ٱلصلوة4x

ٱليل4x

ومن3x

ٱلفجر2x

إن2x

فإذا2x

أقم1x

لدلوك1x

ٱلشمس1x

إلى1x

غسق1x

وقرءان1x

قرءان1x

كان1x

مشهودا1x

فسبحه1x

وأدبر1x

ٱلسجود1x

قضيتم1x

فٱذكروا1x

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About Sunan Abu Dawud

This hadith is #711 from Sunan Abu Dawud, in the Book of Prayer (Kitab Al-Salat). It is graded Sahih and narrated by ‘Urwah reported on the authority of ‘A’ishah:.

Browse all Sunan Abu Dawud All Hadith Collections

Sunan Abu Dawud #711

Context

Modern Application

Topics

Related Ayahs

Common Words

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About Sunan Abu Dawud

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