{jb_quote}Wit'r is the 3 Rakaat Waajib Salah done after Esha with one Salam at the end.{/jb_quote}
Question: How many Rak'aat are in Wit'r Salah?
In the Hanafi Madhab Wit'r Salah is 3 Rakaat (continous) other Imams and Schools of Jurisprudence may disagree. The evidence of 3 Rakaat is as follows:
حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ يَحْيَى، قَالَ قَرَأْتُ عَلَى مَالِكٍ عَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ الْمَقْبُرِيِّ، عَنْ أَبِي سَلَمَةَ بْنِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ، أَنَّهُ سَأَلَ عَائِشَةَ كَيْفَ كَانَتْ صَلاَةُ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِي رَمَضَانَ قَالَتْ مَا كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَزِيدُ فِي رَمَضَانَ وَلاَ فِي غَيْرِهِ عَلَى إِحْدَى عَشْرَةَ رَكْعَةً يُصَلِّي أَرْبَعًا فَلاَ تَسْأَلْ عَنْ حُسْنِهِنَّ وَطُولِهِنَّ ثُمَّ يُصَلِّي أَرْبَعًا فَلاَ تَسْأَلْ عَنْ حُسْنِهِنَّ وَطُولِهِنَّ ثُمَّ يُصَلِّي ثَلاَثًا فَقَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ فَقُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَتَنَامُ قَبْلَ أَنْ تُوتِرَ فَقَالَ " يَا عَائِشَةُ إِنَّ عَيْنَىَّ تَنَامَانِ وَلاَ يَنَامُ قَلْبِي " .
{jb_bluebox}Sayyidina Abu Salama b. Abd al-Rahman (RA) asked Sayyida 'A'isha (RA) about the (night) prayer of the Messenger of Allah (Sallallaho Alaihe Wassallam) during the month of Ramadan. She said: The Messenger of Allah (Sallallaho Alaihe Wassallam) did not observe either in Ramadan or in other months more than eleven rak'ahs (of the night prayer). He (in the first instance) observed four rak'ahs. Ask not about their excellence and their length (i. e. these were matchless in perfection and length). He again observed four rak'ahs, and ask not about their excellence and their length. He would then observe three rak'ahs (of the Witr prayer). 'A'isha again said: I said: Messenger of Allah, do you sleep before observing the Witr prayer? He said: O 'A'isha, my eyes sleep but my heart does not sleep. [Saheeh Muslim]{/jb_bluebox}
Question: Why can't the above Hadeeth be used to justify 8 Rakaat Taraweeh?
Sayyida Aisha (RA) is clearly stating that:
{jb_bluebox}...Messenger of Allah (Sallallaho Alaihe Wassallam) did not observe either in Ramadan or in other months more than eleven rak'ahs (of the night prayer)...{/jb_bluebox}
Is Taraweeh offered in months other than Ramadhan?
Question: Is there any other evidence besides this for Wit'r Salah being 3 Rakaat?
حَدَّثَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ حُجْرٍ، أَخْبَرَنَا شَرِيكٌ، عَنْ أَبِي إِسْحَاقَ، عَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ جُبَيْرٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، قَالَ كَانَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقْرَأُ فِي الْوِتْرِ بِـ (سَبِّحِ اسْمَ رَبِّكَ الأَعْلَى ) وَ (قُلْ يَا أَيُّهَا الْكَافِرُونَ ) وَ (قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ ) فِي رَكْعَةٍ رَكْعَةٍ
Sayyidina Ibn Abbas (RA) narrated: "Allah's Messenger (Sallallaho Alaihe Wassallam) would recite during Al-Witr: "Glorify the Name of your Lord the Most High' and, 'Say: O you disbelievers!' and, 'Say: Allah is One,' in each Rak'ah." [Tirmidhi]
The above Hadeeth is Authentic and there are other Ahadeeth with same or similar wordings.
Question: Have any Scholars of Hadeeth passed a Judgement on Wit'r Salah being 3 Rakaat?
Imam Tirmidhi (RA) directly beneath the Hadeeth above states:
وَالَّذِي اخْتَارَهُ أَكْثَرُ أَهْلِ الْعِلْمِ مِنْ أَصْحَابِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَمَنْ بَعْدَهُمْ أَنْ يُقْرَأَ بِـ (سَبِّحِ اسْمَ رَبِّكَ الأَعْلَى ) وَ (قُلْ يَا أَيُّهَا الْكَافِرُونَ ) وَ (قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ ) . يُقْرَأُ فِي كُلِّ رَكْعَةٍ مِنْ ذَلِكَ بِسُورَةٍ
{jb_bluebox}And it was adopted by many from people of Knowledge amongst the Sahaba (RA) and those who came afterwards to recite "Glorify the Name of your Lord the Most High' [Surah Ala, Chapter 87] in the first Rakaat, 'Say: O you disbelievers!' [Surah Al-Kafirun, Chapter 109] in the second Rakaat and, 'Say: Allah is One,' [Surah Al-Ikhlas, Chapter 112] in the third Rakaat.{/jb_bluebox}
Question: Are there any statements from the Sahabah (RA) for Wit'r Salah being 3 Rakaat?
Yes and as an example here is a saying of Sayyidina Umar (RA):
محمد : أخبرنا أبو حنيفة عن حماد عن إبراهيم النخعي عن عمر بن الخطاب رضي الله عنه أنه قال : ما أحب أني تركت الوتر بثلاث وإن لي حمر النعم
{jb_bluebox}Sayyidina Umar (RA) stated that if I was offered red camels in compensation to abandoning 3 Rakaat of Wit'r I would still not like to abandon them. [Muwatta Imam Mohammed]{jb_bluebox}
Q: I would really appreciate if you could somehow provide with some hadith / reference in support of 3 rakah witr salaat according to the Hanafi Madhab.
In the article that you forwarded to me, the writer has accepted that one may perform 3 Rakaats of Witr Salaat. However, he seems to be imposing the view that this should only be done in the manner that he has understood, i.e. 2 Rakaats with a salaam and thereafter 1 Rakaat. Whilst this method may be correct according to some Madhabs, to impose it on the followers of other Madhabs will not be proper.
Hence, I would hereby mention those proofs that support the Hanafi view on this matter.
According to the Hanafi Madhab, the Witr Salaat should be performed as 3 Rakaats with one salaam at the end only. This view is based on the following:
{jb_bluedisc}1{/jb_bluedisc} Sayyidatuna Aaisha (Radhiallaahu Anha) reports that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) never used to make salaam after the first 2 Rakaats of Witr.' (Mustadrak Haakim vol.1 pg.304; Imaam Haakim has classified this Hadith as Sahih according to the requirements of Bukhari and Muslim. Hafiz Dhahabi has also accepted this). Imaam Haakim then says, 'There are various other narrations that support this, from them is the following.'
{jb_bluedisc}2{/jb_bluedisc} Sayyidatuna Aaisha (Radhiallaahu Anha) reports that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) used to perform 3 Rakaats of Witr and he never used to make salaam except in the last Rakaat.' (Ibid)
{jb_bluedisc}3{/jb_bluedisc} Imaam Nasaaie (RA) has recorded (the following) on the authority of Sayyiduna Ubayy ibn Ka'ab (Radhiallaahu Anhu) that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) used to recite Surah Sabbihisma rabbikal a'alaa in the first Rakaat of Witr, Surah al-Kaafiroon in the 2nd Rakaat and Surah, Qul huwallaahu Ahad in the third and that he (Rasulullah - Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) would not make salaam except in the last of those Rakaats. (Hafiz Iraaqi has classified this narration as Sahih - authentic) – refer Naylul Awtaar vol.1; also see Aathaarus-sunan pg.203; I'elaa-us-sunan vol.6 pg.42
{jb_bluedisc}4{/jb_bluedisc} Thaabit al-Bunaani (Radhiallaahu Anhu), the famous student of Sayyiduna Anas (Radhiallaahu Anhu) says that Sayyiduna Anas (Radhiallaahu Anhu) lead us in the Witr Salaat he performed 3 Rakaats and he did not make salaam till the last Rakaat. (Tahawi vol.1 pg.206 – Hafiz ibn Hajar (RA) has classified the narration as Sahih (authentic) – see al-Diraayah; I'elaa-us-sunan vol.6 pg.44
{jb_bluedisc}5{/jb_bluedisc} Sayyiduna Abu-Zinaad (ra) – a Taabi'ee – says that I found most of the Fuqahaa and the people of knowledge saying that the Witr is 3 Rakaats with only one salaam at the end.' (Tahaawi vol.1 pg.207). Muhaddith Nimawi has classified this narration as Hasan (sound); see Aathaarus-sunan pg.204
{jb_bluedisc}6{/jb_bluedisc} Abu Zinaad (ra) also stated that Khalifah Umar ibn Abdul-Aziz (RA) had established through the verdicts of the Fuqahaa, that Witr Salaat is 3 Rakaats, with no salaam except in the last Rakaat.' (Tahaawi vol.1 pg.207 – Muhaddith Nimawi has declared this narration as Sahih (authentic) – see Aathaarus-sunan pg.204)
{jb_bluedisc}7{/jb_bluedisc} Sayyiduna Umar ibn al-Khattaab (Radhiallaahu Anhu) is also reported to have performed 3 Rakaats Witr with one salaam only. (Mustadrak al-Haakim vol.1 pg.304; Tahaawi vol.1 pg.205-206)
All the above authentic narrations have proven without a shadow of doubt that the Witr Salaat should be 3 Rakaats with no salaam in between. Narrations 5 and 6 have proven this to be the practice of majority of the Fuqahaa (theologians) during the era of the Taabi'een as well. From among the Sahaaba, this is reported to be the practice of Sayyiduna Umar ibn al-Khattaab, Sayyiduna Ali ibn Abi Talib, Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Mas'ood, Sayyiduna Ubayy ibn Ka'ab, Sayyiduna Zayd ibn Thaabit, Sayyiduna Anas ibn Maalik and Sayyiduna Abu Umaamah (Radhiallaahu Anhum). (refer al-Tamheed of ibn Abdul-Barr vol.4 pg.174)
The following narrations prove that one should definitely sit in Tashahhud after 2 Rakaats and thereafter stand up for the third:
{jb_bluedisc}1{/jb_bluedisc} Sayyidatuna Aaisha (Radhiallaahu Anha) reports from Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) – as part of a lengthy Hadith – that he also said, 'After every two Rakaats, there is 'Attahiyyaat'.' (Sahih Muslim). This Hadith is general and includes all salawaat as well as the Witr. (I'elaa-us-sunan vol.6 pg.51)
{jb_bluedisc}2{/jb_bluedisc} Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Mas'ood (Radhiallaahu Anhu) is reported to have said, 'Witr is 3 Rakaats like the Witr of the day, i.e. the Salaat of Maghrib.' (Tahaawi vol.1 pg.206). Muhaddith Nimawi (RA) has declared this narration as Sahih (authentic). (Aathaarus-sunan pg.204). This narration also proves that just as one sits after the first 2 Rakaats in Maghrib Salaat, similarly, one should do so in the Witr Salaat. (I'elaa-us-sunan vol.6 pg.43-44)
{jb_bluedisc}3{/jb_bluedisc} Abul-Aaliyah (Radhiallaahu Anhu) – a Taabi'ee – states that the companions of Muhammad (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) have taught us that the Witr is just like Maghrib Salaat. The only difference is that we recite Qiraat in Witr, and not in Maghrib, i.e. in the third Rakaat. (Tahaawi vol.1 pg.206). Muhaddith Nimawi (RA) has declared it Sahih (authentic)
This is a clear proof for the Hanafi Madhab in that the Maghrib Salaat and Witr will be identical in all aspects, except the Qiraat in the third Rakaat. Hence, the Tashahhud in the second Rakaat is also backed / supported by this narration.
Now, as for the narrations quoted by the writer in that article, one should first understand that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) always encouraged that one should perform some Nafl Salaat before the Witr Salaat and that the Witr should not be the only Salaat performed after Esha. This was also the constant practice of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam). Hafiz ibn Abdul-Barr Maaliki (RA) states that Witr according to them is only after some other Salaat that precedes it.' (al-Tamheed vol.4 pg.177)
It is precisely for this reason that in some narrations – as quoted by the writer – there is mention of 5 Rakaats of Witr and 7 Rakaats as well which in actual fact refers to what we have just mentioned, i.e. from the 5 or 7 Rakaats, the last 3 are actually the Witr and the remaining 2 or 4 would be the Nafl that was supposed to precede it.
The same answer will apply to the first narration that, 'Don't pray 3 Rakaats Witr, pray five Witr or seven Rakaats Witr, but don't make similarity to Maghrib'.
The reason for preventing the Witr from being like Maghrib Salaat is obvious, and that is because there is no Nafl Salaat that precedes it. (see al-Nukatu Tareefah of Allaamah al-Kawthari pg.186)
As for the narration of Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Umar (Radhiallaahu Anhu) that mentions that one should make salaam after 2 Rakaats and thereafter perform 1 Rakaats only, this practice is further weakened by a narration of Mustadrak al-Haakim wherein Hasan al-Basri (RA) is reported to have been asked about this narration. It was said to him, 'Verily, Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Umar (Radhiallaahu Anhu) used to make salaam after the 2 Rakaats of Witr?' He replied, '(His father) Sayyiduna Umar al-Khattaab (Radhiallaahu Anhu) was more knowledgeable than him and he would (not make salaam and) stand up for the third Rakaat.' (Mustadrak vol.1 pg.304)
This is besides the fact that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) is reported to have prohibited from performing one Rakaat only. (refer al-Tamheed vol.4 pg.177; al-Nukatu Tareefah pgs.182-183)
Lastly, I'm sure that the above information is more than enough to eradicate any sort of doubt concerning the Hanafi viewpoint on this issue.
and Allah Ta'ala Knows Best
Q) Raising Hands in the Takbir for Qunut in Hanafi Madhab?
I had said this a few months back to a young brother:
Some evidences for Raful yadayn in the Takbir for Qunut (which in our Madhhab is before the Ruku).
Imam al-Bukhari in his treatise on Raful Yadayn quoted some narrations:
حدثنا عبد الرحيم المحاربي حدثنا زائدة عن ليث عن عبد الرحمن بن الأسود عن أبيه عن عبد الله أنه كان يقرأ في آخر ركعة من الوتر قل هو الله ثم يرفع يديه فيقنت قبل الركعة قال البخاري وهذه الأحاديث كلها صحيحة عن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم وأصحابه
This narration states that Abdullah ibn Mas'ud (ra) would recite in the last Rak'a of Witr Qulhuwallahu ahad and then raise his hands for Qunut before the Ruku.
Imam al-Nimawi in his Athar al-Sunan (p. 210) said it has a Sahih Isnad.
Also, Bukhari in his Juz Raful Yadayn narrated the following
حدثنا قبيصة حدثنا سفيان عن أبي علي هو جعفر بن ميمون بياع الأنماط قال سمعت أبا عثمان قال كان عمر يرفع يديه في القنوت
The above narration mentions that Umar (ra) would raise his hands in Qunut
Imam al-Nimawi declared this last Isnad to be Hasan in his Athar al-Sunan (p. 210)
He also mentioned from Imam al-Tahawi's Sharh Ma'ani al-Athar from Ibrahim al-Nakha'I that he said that one should raise the hands in 7 places: One of which specifically mentions the Takbir for Qunut in Witr Salah. Imam Nimawi said this narration has a Sahih Isnad (Athar al-Sunan, p. 210)
I also found some very similar narrations as above in the 2nd vol of Musannaf Ibn Abi Shayba from Ibn Mas'ud and Ibrahim –
( 141 ) في رفع اليدين في قنوت الوتر ( 1 ) حدثنا أبو بكر قال حدثنا أبو الأحوص عن مغيرة عن إبراهيم قال ارفع يديك للقنوت . ( 2 ) حدثنا معاويه بن هشام قال حدثنا سفيان عن ليث عن عبد الرحمن بن الاسود عن أبيه عن عبد الله أنه كان يرفع يديه في قنوت الوتر . ( 3 ) حدثنا عبد الرحمن ب محمد المحاربي عن ليث عن ابن الاسود عن أبيه عن عبد الله أنه كان يرفع يديه إذا قنت في الوتر