Do You Pray Witr when Travelling?

Question: 208

If you are traveling and you are shortening your prayers, is the witr prayer still wajib?

Summary of answer

Some scholars said that qiyam al-layl and witr are the best of the voluntary prayers. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did not neglect prayers during the night nor the two rak`ahs before Fajr neither in residence nor in travel.

Answer

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah and his family.

The majority of scholars assert that witr prayer is a confirmed sunnah that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) practiced consistently, and that it is not obligatory. This is based on the hadith regarding the Bedouin who once came to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) asking about Islam, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) answered, "Five prayers within one day-and-night." The Bedouin asked, "Am I obliged to other than those?" The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) replied, "(not) Unless you volunteer of your own." (Agreed upon)

Some scholars have said that qiyam al-layl (prayer at the heart of night) and witr prayer are the best of the voluntary prayers . Therefore, one should consistently practice them and not neglect them. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did not neglect the prayers during the night nor two rak`ahs before Fajr neither in residence nor in travel as reported in authentic hadiths.

And Allah knows best.

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Source:

Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid