Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah

A man from Banu Kinana, Hazrat Mukhdaaji, narrates that there was an Ansari in Syria who had also enjoyed the company (of the Prophet), and whose kunyah was Abu Muhammad. He stated that Witr is obligatory. Mukhdaaji mentions that he (Mukhdaaji) went to Hazrat Ubadah bin Samit and conveyed this statement (regarding the obligation of Witr) to him. Hazrat Ubadah said: Abu Muhammad has said something incorrect. I heard the Noble Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, say: There are five prayers which Allah the Exalted has made obligatory upon His servants. Whoever performs them (brings them) without neglecting any of their rights, he will come (on the Day of Judgment) in such a state that he will have a covenant with Allah that He will admit him to Paradise. And whoever falls short in fulfilling their rights, he will come in such a state that he will have no covenant with Allah. If Allah wills, He will punish him, and if Allah wills, He will admit him to Paradise.

Hazrat Muslim Mawla ‘Abd al-Qais narrates that a man asked Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with them): What is your opinion, is Witr a Sunnah? He replied: What is Sunnah? The Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) offered Witr and the Muslims offered Witr (that is all). The questioner said: No, is it Sunnah? He replied: Leave it! Do you have any sense? The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) offered Witr and the Muslims offered Witr. (That is the end of the matter.)

It is narrated from Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) that he was asked: Are Witr obligatory? He replied: The Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) offered Witr, and the Muslims remained steadfast upon it.

Hazrat Asim bin Damrah narrates that Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) Al-Murtaza said: Witr is not obligatory like the obligatory prayers.

Hazrat Saeed bin Musayyib narrates that the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) declared Witr as Sunnah in the same way as he declared Fitrana and Qurbani as Sunnah.

Hazrat Mujahid narrates that Witr is Sunnah.

It is narrated about Hazrat Sha’bi that he was asked about the person who forgot to perform Witr. He replied: This does not harm him; is it as if it is obligatory?

It is narrated about Hasan that he did not consider Witr to be obligatory.

Hazrat Ata and Muhammad bin Ali (may Allah be pleased with them) both say that Qurbani and Witr are Sunnah. And (Imam) Abu Hanifa's opinion has been mentioned that: Witr is obligatory.