Witr is to be offered after midnight

Q: A man prays Witr (Prayer with an odd number of units) after 2 am. He prays it in five connected Rak`ahs (units of Prayer). Should he continue doing so or should he pray Witr before midnight? Besides, should he pray pairs of Rak`ahs then pray Witr in one Rak`ah (unit of Prayer) only, or should he continue offering it in (Part No. 6; Page No. 57


A: Time for Witr Prayer starts after the performance of `Isha' (Night) Prayer and continues until the break of dawn. A person may therefore pray Witr at any time within this period. On the other hand, it is preferred that a person prays pairs of Rak`ahs then concludes this by praying Witr in only one Rak`ah. However, praying five connected Rak`ahs for Witr with one Taslim (salutation of peace ending the Prayer) is permissible though it is not preferred. This is because the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: The (optional) Salah during the night should consist of pairs of Rak`ahs, but if one of you is afraid that morning is near, they should pray one Rak`ah, which will make their Salah an odd number for them. (Agreed upon by Al-Bukhari and Muslim and narrated on the authority of Ibn `Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both)).May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.


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