Number of Rak‘ahs in the Witr Prayer

Question

Zayd holds that the witr prayer consists of three rak‘ahs, and this has been the practice of the scholars of Deoband and of Imam Abū Ḥanīfah (may Allah have mercy on him). Bakr says: “I do not follow anyone — neither the imams nor anyone else. Prove it only from the statements and actions of the Prophet ﷺ.” Another question: if Ahl al-Hadith (non-muqallids) want to learn a ruling, they usually ask scholars who follow the madhhabs.

Answer

In al-Mustadrak, a narration from ʿĀ’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) states: “The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to perform witr with three rak‘ahs and he would not give salām except at the end of them.” Another narration states: “The Prophet ﷺ recited in the first rak‘ah: ‘Sabbih isma rabbika al-aʿlā’, in the second: ‘Qul yā ayyuhā al-kāfirūn’, and in the third: ‘Qul huwa…

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