It was narrated that Kharijah bin Hudhafah Al-‘Adawi said: “The Prophet (ﷺ) came out to us and said: ‘Allah has increased a prayer for you which is better for you than red camels. (It is) Witr, which Allah has enjoined on you between the ‘Isha’ prayer and the onset of dawn.’”

‘Ali bin Abu Talib said: “Witr is not definite (obligatory) nor is it like your prescribed prayers. But the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) prayed Witr, then he said: ‘O people of the Qur’an! Perform Witr, for Allah is Witr* and He loves the odd (numbered).’”

It was narrated from ‘Abdullah bin Mas’ud that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Allah is Witr and He loves the odd (numbered), so perform Witr, O people of the Qur’an.” A Bedouin said: ‘What is the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) saying?’ He said: ‘That is not for you or your companions.’”

It was narrated that Ubayy bin Ka’b said: “The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to perform Witr and recite: ‘Glorify the Name of your Lord the Most High.’, [Al-A’la (87)] ‘Say: O you disbelievers!” [Al-Kafirun (109)] and ‘Say: Allah is One.”. [Al-Ikhlas (112)]

It was narrated from Ibn ‘Abbas that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to perform Witr and recite: “Glorify the Name of your Lord the Most High,” [Al-A’la (87)] “Say: O you disbelievers!” [Al-Kafirun (109)] and ‘Say: Allah is One.”. [Al-Ikhlas (112)] Another chain with similar wording.

It was narrated that ‘Abdul-‘Aziz bin Juraij said: “We asked ‘Aishah what the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to recite in Witr. She said: ‘He used to recite: “Glorify the Name of your Lord the Most High,” [Al-A’la (87)] in the first Rak’ah, ‘Say: “O disbelievers!’” [Al- Kafirun (109)] in the second Rak’ah, and ‘Say: Allah is One’ in the third and the Mu’awwidhatain (Chapter 113, 114).’”

It was narrated that Ibn ‘Umar said: “The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to pray (voluntary prayers) at night two by two, and he would pray one Rak’ah of Witr.”

Abu Mijlaz narrated that Ibn ‘Umar said: “The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: ‘Night prayers are to be offered two by two, and Witr is one Rak’ah.’ I said: ‘What do you think if I become drowsy and I want to sleep?’ He said: ‘Put “what do you think” up there with that star? (i.e., don’t think about it at all).’ I raised my head and saw As- Simak.* He repeated that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, ‘Night prayers are to be offered two by two, and Witr is one Rak’ah, before dawn.’”

A man asked Ibn ‘Umar: “How should I perform Witr?” He said: “Pray Witr with one Rak’ah.” He said: “I am afraid that the people will say that I am cutting the prayer short.” He said: “The Sunnah of Allah and His Messenger.” Meaning “This is the Sunnah of Allah and His Messenger.”