Sahih Muslim 8938
The most excellent prayer is that in which the duration of standing is longer.
The most excellent prayer is that in which the duration of standing is longer.
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was asked about the prayer which was most excellent. He said: That in which the standing is longer. (This hadith is narrated by another chain of transmitters too.)
Witr is a rak’ah at the end of the night prayer.
I asked Ibn ‘Abbas about the Witr prayer. He said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) as saying: It is a rak’ah at the end of the night prayer.
A person called (the attention) of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) as he was in the mosque, and said: Messenger of Allah, how should I make the rak’ahs of the night prayer an odd number? Upon this the Messenger of Allah (may peace he upon him) said: He who prays (night prayer) he should observe […]
I asked Ibn ‘Umar to tell me about the practice of the Prophet (ﷺ) in regard to two rak’ahs before the dawn prayer: Should I make lengthy recitation in them? He said: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to observe, the night prayer in pairs and then made the number odd by observing one rak’ah. […]
I asked Ibn ‘Umar like this (as recorded in the previous hadith) and he made this addition:” And he (the Holy Prophet) made the end of the night prayer as odd number by one rak’ah.” And there is also (this addition):” Stop, stop, you are bulky.”
The night prayer consists of pairs and when you see the approach of dawn, make this number odd by one rak’ah. It was said to Ibn ‘Umar: What does the (word) pair imply? He said: (It means) that salutation is uttered after every two rak’ahs.
Observe Witr prayer before it is morning. Abu Sa’id reported that they (the Prophet’s Companions) asked the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) about Witr (prayer). (In reply to their inquiry) he said: Observe Witr prayer before it is morning.
He who prayed at night should make Witr the end of his prayer, for the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) ordered this.