*Time of Witr Prayer*
Q: When does the time of performing Witr (Prayer with an odd number of units) end?
Does it end with the beginning of Adhan (call) to Fajr (Dawn) Prayer or its end?
Moreover, if a person sleeps and misses it, should they make up for it and how?
A: It is prescribed for every believer, male and female, to offer Witr every night.
The time for it is from ‘Isha’ (Night) Prayer until the breaking of dawn,
according to what is reported in the Two Sahih (authentic) Books of Hadith (i.e. Al-Bukhari and Muslim) on the authority of Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
(Optional) Night Salah is two Rak‘ahs (units of Prayer) followed by two Rak‘ahs (and so on), and when one of you fears the break of dawn (Fajr Prayer),
let them offer a single Rak‘ah to make the Salah they have offered Witr (Prayer with an odd number of units).
Moreover, Muslim reported in his Sahih on the authority of Abu Sa‘id Al-Khudry (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
Perform Witr before Subh (dawn) comes.
Also, Imams Ahmad, Abu Dawud and Al-Tirmidhy reported a Hadith that was ranked as Sahih (authentic) by Al-Hakim on the authority of Kharijah ibn Hudhafah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
‘Allah has blessed you with a Salah (Prayer) that is better for you than red camels (i.e. Most precious possession).’
We said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, what is it?’ He (peace be upon him) said, ‘Witr, between ‘Isha’ Prayer and the break of dawn.’
There are many Hadiths that are mentioned in this regard which indicate that Witr ends with the break of dawn.
However, if a worshipper does not know when dawn breaks, one may rely on a Mu’adhin (caller to Prayer) who is known for observing the right time of Salah.
If the Mu’adhin who pays attention to the right time announces Adhan, then one has missed the Witr.
As for a Mu’adhin who announces Adhan before the coming of the due time of dawn, in this case one has not missed Witr, nor does eating and drinking become prohibited for those who observe Sawm (Fasting), and similarly the Fajr Prayer does not become due by his Adhan according to the saying of the Prophet (peace be upon him):
Bilal announces Adhan at night, so eat and drink until Ibn Um Maktum announces the Adhan. (Agreed upon by Imams Al-Bukhari and Muslim).
Ibn Um Maktum was blind and therefore did not announce Adhan until he was told that dawn had come.
It is clear from what we have mentioned that the time for Witr ends with the beginning of Adhan if the Mu’adhin is observing the correct time of dawn.
If, however, he says Adhan while the praying person is offering the final Rak‘ah of Witr, they should complete it, because one is not certain that dawn has come just by hearing the Adhan, and there is nothing wrong in that, In sha’a-Allah (if Allah wills).
However, if a person misses Witr, it is prescribed for them to offer during day the number of Rak‘ahs they usually perform during night and to add one Rak‘ah to them to make them even-numbered.
Accordingly, if they usually perform three, they should make it four, and if they usually perform five, they should make it six, and so on, saying Taslim (salutation of peace ending the Prayer) after every two Rak‘ahs.
It is reported in the Sahih of Muslim on the authority of `Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) that she said:
When the Prophet (peace be upon him) missed Witr Prayer during the night due to illness or sleep, he would pray twelve Rak‘ahs during the daytime.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) usually offered eleven Rak‘ahs during the night, but if illness or sleep prevented him from doing that, he would pray twelve Rak‘ahs as `Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) described:
...saying Taslim in the end of every two Rak‘ahs. Moreover, `Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) is authentically reported to have said:
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to pray ten Rak‘ahs at night, saying Taslim in the end of every two Rak‘ahs and then offer a single Rak‘ah as Witr.
(Agreed upon by Imams Al-Bukhari and Muslim).
Also, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: (Optional) Salah by night and day is two Rak‘ahs followed by two Rak‘ahs (and so on).
(Related by Imam Ahmad and the Four Compilers of Sunan [Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah, Al-Tirmidhy, and Al-Nasa’y] through an authentic Isnad [chain of narrators] from the Hadith of Ibn ‘Umar).
Its source is in the Two Sahih Books of Hadith with the wording stated in the beginning of the answer:
(Optional) Night Salah is two Rak‘ahs followed by two Rak‘ahs (and so on)