5 Essential Benefits of Witr Prayer: Insights from 5 Relevant Hadiths

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Hi, dear readers! Are you looking for an explanation of the benefits of the Witr prayer? If your answer is "Yes," congratulations! You are now reading the right article. Why? Because that is exactly what I will explain here. As Muslims, it is essential for us to understand this topic, which is why I wrote this article. So, be sure to read it until the end!

In this article, I will discuss some important aspects of the benefits of the Witr prayer. Specifically, I will explain five key benefits and support them with five relevant hadiths.

Five Benefits of Witr Prayer and Five Hadiths About Its Benefits

If we explore various Islamic texts about the Witr prayer, we find numerous benefits associated with it. However, I will focus on just five of these benefits in this article.

Read Also: Witr Prayer and How to Pray Witr?

For each of the five benefits, I will quote a corresponding hadith. Here are the five benefits of the Witr prayer along with the supporting hadiths:

The Witr Prayer Is More Precious than the Most Valuable Treasure

The first benefit of the Witr prayer is that it is more precious than the most valuable treasure. The essence is that the Witr prayer is highly esteemed in Islam, and those who perform it will receive abundant rewards.

We can find this explanation in the following hadith:

عَنْ خَارِجَةَ بْنِ حُذَافَةَ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ : قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ : إِنَّ الله أمَدَّكُمْ بِصَلاَةٍ هِيَ خَيرٌ لَكُمْ مِنْ حُمْرِ النَّعَمِ، قُلْنَا : وَمَا هِيَ يَا رَسُولَ الله؟ قالَ : الوِتْرُ مَا بَيْنَ صَلاَةِ العِشَاءِ إِلى طُلُوعِ الفَجْرِ

From Kharijah bin Hudzafah radliyallahu anhu, he said, "The Messenger of Allah (Prophet Muhammad) sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said, 'Verily, Allah has advised you to pray that is better for you than the most valuable treasure.' We asked, 'What is that, O Messenger of Allah?' He said, 'The Witr performed between the Isha prayer until dawn.'"

This hadith clearly emphasizes that the Witr prayer holds greater importance than the most valuable treasure. As Muslims, we must recognize this significance.

The Witr Prayer Is One of the Most Important Sunnah Prayers

The second benefit of the Witr prayer is that it is one of the most important Sunnah prayers. The Prophet Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wa sallam specifically instructed Abu Huraira to perform the Witr prayer before sleeping.

We can find this explanation in the following hadith:

عَنْ أَبِيْ هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ : أَوْصَانِيْ خَلِيْلِيْ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ بِثَلَاثٍ : صِيَامُ ثَلَاثَةِ أَيَّامٍ مِنْ كُلِّ شَهْرٍ ، وَرَكْعَتَيْ الضُّحىَ ، وَأَنْ أُوْتِرَ قَبْلَ أَنْ أَنَامَ

From Abu Hurairah radiyallahu anhu, he said, "My beloved (Prophet Muhammad) sallallahu alayhi wa sallam has instructed me in three matters: fasting three days every month, praying two rakats of Duha, and performing Witr before I go to sleep."

This hadith clearly states that the Witr prayer is one of the most important Sunnah prayers, which is a point every Muslim should understand.

Allah Loves Those Who Perform the Witr Prayer

The third benefit of the Witr prayer is that Allah loves those who perform it. Therefore, people who perform the Witr prayer will receive abundant rewards.

We can find this explanation in the hadith below:

عَنْ عَلِيٍّ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ ؛ قَالَ رَسُوْلُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ ؛ أَوْتِرُوْا يَا أَهْلَ الْقُرْآنِ فَإِنَّ اللهَ وِتْرٌ يُحِبُّ الْوِتْرَ . رَوَاهُ الْخَمْسَةٌ

From Ali radliyallahu anhu, he said, "Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, 'Pray Witr, O People of the Quran! Indeed, Allah is One and loves the Witr prayer.'" This hadith has been narrated by five scholars: Ahmad, Abu Dawood, at-Tirmidhi, an-Nasa'i, and Ibn Majah.

This hadith clearly explains that Allah loves the Witr prayer and those who perform it. As Muslims, we must understand this.

The Witr Prayer Is a Completion of the Night Prayer

The fourth benefit of the Witr prayer is that it serves as a completion of the night prayer. Specifically, Muslims who perform the Tahajjud prayer are strongly encouraged to offer the Witr prayer to complete their night prayers.

We can find this explanation in the hadith below:

اِجْعَلُوْا آخِرَ صَلاَتِكُم ْباِللّيْلِ وِتْرًا

"Make the end of your prayers at night with the Witr prayer."

This hadith explicitly states that the Witr prayer is a prayer that completes the Tahajjud prayer. As Muslims, we must recognize this significance.

Witr Prayer Witnessed by the Angels

The fifth benefit of the Witr prayer is that it is witnessed by the Angels. This indicates that the Witr prayer is a very noble act, and the person who performs it is likewise a noble individual.

We can find this explanation in the hadith below:

عَنْ جَابِرٍ قَالَ : قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ : مَنْ خَافَ أَنْ لَا يَقُومَ مِنْ آخِرِ اللَّيْلِ فَلْيُوتِرْ أَوَّلَهُ وَمَنْ طَمِعَ أَنْ يَقُومَ آخِرَهُ فَلْيُوتِرْ آخِرَ اللَّيْلِ فَإِنَّ صَلَاةَ آخِرِ اللَّيْلِ مَشْهُودَةٌ وَذَلِكَ أَفْضَلُ

From Jabir, he said, "The Messenger of Allah (Prophet Muhammad) sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said, 'Whoever is afraid of not being able to wake up at the end of the night should pray the Witr prayer at the beginning of the night. And whoever hopes to wake up at the end of the night should perform the Witr prayer then, because the prayer at the end of the night is witnessed (by the angels), and that is better.'"

This hadith clearly explains that the Witr prayer is witnessed by the Angels. As Muslims, we must understand this significance.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Witr prayer holds profound significance in Islam, embodying numerous spiritual benefits that enhance a believer’s relationship with Allah. Through the five discussed benefits—its value as a treasure, its status as a critical Sunnah prayer, Allah’s love for its practitioners, its role in completing night prayers, and its recognition by the Angels—Muslims are reminded of its importance and the rewards that come with its observance. These insights, supported by authentic hadiths, encourage us to incorporate Witr prayer into our nightly routines, seeking its blessings and fulfillment. As we strive to deepen our faith, understanding the importance of such prayers not only enriches our spiritual practices but also draws us closer to the mercy and love of Allah.

May this article serve as a guide for those seeking to enhance their worship and embrace the many benefits of the Witr prayer.

Thank you for reading, and we look forward to sharing more insights in future articles!