It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Qatadah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) asked Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him): "When do you pray witr?" He said: "I pray witr in the early part of the night." Then he (peace and blessings be upon him) asked Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him): "When do you pray witr?" He said: "I pray witr in the last part of the night." Then the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) has taken the path of caution," and he said about Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him): "He has acted with strength and resolve."
No one other than Yahya bin Ishaq narrated this hadith from Hammad bin Salamah with (such) a sound chain.
Hadith Referenceالمعجم الأوسط / باب الباء / 3059
Hadith Gradingمحدثین:رجاله ثقات
Hadith Takhrij«قال ابن القطان الفاسي: رجاله ثقات «التلخيص الحبير في تخريج أحاديث الرافعي الكبير، ج 2، ص 36»» «أخرجه ابن خزيمة فى «صحيحه» برقم: 1084، والحاكم فى «المستدرك» برقم: 1124، وأبو داود فى «سننه» برقم: 1434، والبيهقي فى «السنن الكبرى» برقم: 4917، 4916، والطحاوي فى «شرح مشكل الآثار» برقم: 4499»