Hadith 5159

(حديث مرفوع) حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى ، عَنْ عُبَيْدِ اللَّهِ ، أَخْبَرَنِي نَافِعٌ ، عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ ، قَالَ : سَأَلَ رَجُلٌ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ عَنْ صَلَاةِ اللَّيْلِ ؟ قَالَ : " يُصَلِّي أَحَدُكُمْ مَثْنَى مَثْنَى ، فَإِذَا خَشِيَ أَنْ يُصْبِحَ صَلَّى رَكْعَةً تُوتِرُ لَهُ صَلَاتَهُ " .
It is narrated from Sayyiduna Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) that once a man came to the service of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and inquired about the night prayer. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The night prayer consists of two rak'ahs at a time, and when you fear that morning is near, then add one rak'ah to these two, and that will suffice as witr for all that you have prayed during the night."
Hadith Reference مسند احمد / مسند المكثرين من الصحابة / 5159
Hadith Grading حکم دارالسلام: إسناده صحيح ، خ : 473 ، م : 729 .