Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah

Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to offer nine rak'ahs of Witr. When he grew older and became weak, he used to offer seven rak'ahs of Witr.

Hazrat Umm Salamah narrates that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to offer thirteen rak‘ahs of Witr. When he grew older and became weak, he used to offer seven rak‘ahs.

Hazrat Saeed bin Jubair narrates that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, used to perform nine rak'ahs of Witr. When his blessed age increased and his body became heavy, he would perform seven rak'ahs of Witr and would offer two rak'ahs sitting.

Hasan narrates that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, used to perform nine rak'ahs of Witr. When he became older and his body became heavy, he would perform seven rak'ahs of Witr and would offer two rak'ahs while sitting.

Hazrat Abdullah says that just as there are two rak'ahs for Maghrib prayer, there are two rak'ahs for Witr.

Ibrahim says that I mentioned before Hazrat Saeed bin Jubair the statement of Hazrat Abdullah: "Witr is seven or five, or it is not less than three." Upon this, Hazrat Saeed said that Hazrat Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) said: I consider it disliked that incomplete three rak'ahs be performed. Rather, witr should be seven or five rak'ahs.

Hazrat Ibn Sabaq narrates that Hazrat Umar buried Hazrat Abu Bakr at night, and then entered the mosque and offered three rak‘ahs of Witr.

Hazrat Ismail bin Zaid narrates that Hazrat Zaid bin Thabit used to perform five rak‘ahs of Witr and did not say salam between them.

Hazrat Anas used to perform three rak'ahs of Witr.

Hazrat Ibn Mas'ud used to perform three rak'ahs of Witr.

Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) used to offer three rak'ahs of Witr.

Hazrat Abu Umamah used to offer three rak'ahs of Witr.

Hazrat Urwah used to perform five rak'ahs of Witr and did not say salam between them.

Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) said: Do not perform three incomplete witr, rather, perform two or four rak'ahs before them.

Hazrat Jabir bin Zaid says that Witr consists of three rak‘ahs.

Hazrat Alqamah says that Witr consists of three rak‘ahs.

Hazrat Mak'hool narrates that Hazrat Umar bin Khattab offered three rak'ahs of Witr and did not say salam between them.

Ibrahim Taimi says that the predecessors considered it disliked to liken the Witr prayer to the Maghrib prayer.

Ibrahim says that the predecessors used to pray eleven, nine, seven, or five rak‘ahs, and it was said that witr is not less than three rak‘ahs.

Hasan says that there is consensus among the people of Islam that Witr are three, and the salutation (salaam) will be said only at the end of them.

Hazrat Saeed bin Jubair offered three rak‘ahs of Witr and recited the Du‘a-e-Qunoot before bowing (ruku‘) in Witr.

Hazrat Mak'hool used to perform three rak'ahs of Witr and would say salam only at the end.

Hazrat Saeed bin Musayyib says that in Witr, Salam should not be said after the two rak‘ahs.

Hazrat Hammad says that Ibrahim forbade me from saying salam after the two rak'ahs of Witr.

Hazrat Ziyad bin Abi Muslim says that I asked Hazrat Abu Aliah and Hazrat Khallas about Witr, so they said: "Perform Witr in the same way as you perform Maghrib."

Hazrat Anas offered three rak‘ahs of Witr and said salam at the end of them.

Hazrat Abu Ishaq says that the students of Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) and Hazrat Abdullah did not say salam after the two rak'ahs of Witr.

Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) would not say salam after the two rak'ahs of Witr.

Hazrat Abu Salamah narrates that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to offer three rak‘ahs of Witr.

Hazrat Zadhan narrates that Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) used to perform three rak'ahs of Witr.

Hazrat Abu Ubaidah narrates that Hazrat Abdullah used to sit in the last part of the night and offer three rak'ahs of Witr.

Hazrat Abu Ayyub narrates that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "Pray five rak'ahs of Witr; if you do not have the strength to pray five, then pray three rak'ahs; and if you do not have the strength for three, then pray one rak'ah; and if you do not have the strength for even that, then perform the prayer with gestures."

It is also narrated in the same way through another chain, but that is the statement of Hazrat Abu Ayyub himself.