Chapter

The Book of Qiyam Al-Lail (The Night Prayer) and Voluntary Prayers During the Day

كتاب قيام الليل وتطوع النهار

Arabic Text

قَالَ الْحَارِثُ بْنُ مِسْكِينٍ قِرَاءَةً عَلَيْهِ وَأَنَا أَسْمَعُ، عَنْ سُفْيَانَ، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، عَنْ عَطَاءِ بْنِ يَزِيدَ، عَنْ أَبِي أَيُّوبَ، قَالَ مَنْ شَاءَ أَوْتَرَ بِسَبْعٍ وَمَنْ شَاءَ أَوْتَرَ بِخَمْسٍ وَمَنْ شَاءَ أَوْتَرَ بِثَلاَثٍ وَمَنْ شَاءَ أَوْتَرَ بِوَاحِدَةٍ وَمَنْ شَاءَ أَوْمَأَ إِيمَاءً ‏.‏

English Translation

Sufyan narrated from Az-Zuhri, from 'Ata bin Yazid, from Abu Ayyub, who said:

"Whoever wants to pray witr with seven (rak'ahs) let him do so, and whoever wants to pray witr with five (rak'ahs) let him do so, and whoever wants to pray witr with three rak'ahs, let him do so; and whoever wants to pray witr with one rak'ah, let him do so, and wants to do so gesturing, let him do so.'"