Is Witr Prayer Obligatory During Travel? Authentic Guidance from Sunnah

Is Witr Prayer to Be Performed During Travel?


Source:
Fatāwā Amunpūrī by Shaykh Ghulām Mustafa Zaheer Amunpūrī

❖ Question:​


Should one offer the Witr prayer while traveling?

✿ Answer:​


Yes, Witr prayer should be performed even while traveling.

Sayyidunā ʿAbdullāh bin ʿUmar رضي الله عنهما narrated:​


“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to perform voluntary prayers on his mount facing any direction, and he also offered Witr on it — but he did not perform obligatory prayers on the mount.”
📚 (Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 1098, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 700/39)

Abū Majlaz رحمه الله said:​


“I asked Sayyidunā ʿAbdullāh bin ʿUmar رضي الله عنهما: How should Witr be offered during travel?”
He replied: ‘One rakʿah at the end of the night.’”

📚 (Muṣannaf Ibn Abī Shaybah: 2/301 – Chain is Ṣaḥīḥ)

Saʿīd bin Jubayr رحمه الله reported regarding ʿAbdullāh bin ʿUmar رضي الله عنهما:​


“He performed Witr during travel.”
📚 (Muṣannaf Ibn Abī Shaybah: 2/301 – Chain is ḥasan)

✅ Conclusion:​


Witr prayer is Sunnah Mu’akkadah and should be performed even in travel.
✔ The Prophet ﷺ offered Witr even on his riding animal, indicating its importance.
✔ The Companions, like Ibn ʿUmar رضي الله عنهما, were known to maintain the practice of Witr while traveling.
 
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