The nafl after witr: better standing or seated

Question

Which brings greater reward — praying the nafl after witr seated or standing? Since not only the common people differ on this issue, but disagreement is also found among the people of knowledge, there is a need for you to clarify this ruling with proofs and with references to the books of noble hadith or to fatwas; and if the word or practice of anyone from the best generations (khayr al-qurun) or the mujtahid imams is established, kindly write that too — it will bring great reward.

Answer

[ar]عن ابن عمر: حُدِّثتُ أنه ﷺ قال: «صلاة الرجل قاعدًا نصف صلاة القائم»، فأتيته فوجدته يصلي جالسًا، قال: حُدِّثتُ يا رسول الله ﷺ أنك قلت: «صلاة الرجل قاعدًا على النصف من صلاة القائم» وأنت تصلي قاعدًا! قال: «أجل، ولكني لست كأحد منكم»[/ar] “From Ibn ‘Umar: ‘I was told that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “A man’s prayer seated is half the prayer of one standing.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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