Praying Witr behind the Imam or praying it alone in the last part of the night
From Abu Jabir Abdullah Musa Abdul Penabdul
I begin with the Name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.
The Mercy and Bounty of Allah is Vast, He opens doors of His Mercy to His creations and guides whomsoever He Wills to the right Path.
Indeed, everyone is desirous of Allah’s Mercy and Forgiveness and hopeful of a favorable decision on Judgment Day. Hence, the constant drive to do as much righteous deeds as possible.
It is common to see people that observed Taraaweeh (night prayer) behind the Imam to leave after the even numbers, hoping to observe Witr at the last part of the night. This is an innocent zeal to take advantage of the last part of the night. Perhaps, because of the following hadith.
Jabir (RA) stated that The Messenger of Allah, SAW said, “Whoever fears he cannot stand for prayer at the end of the night, let him perform Witr prayer in its beginning. Whoever hopes to stand for prayer at the end of the night, let him perform Witr prayer at its ending. Verily, prayer at the end of the night is witnessed, and that is better.†Muslim 755
However, with respect to the night prayers in the month of Ramadan, the following Hadith is to be taken into consideration;
The Messenger of Allah (SAW) encouraged praying Taraweeh in congregation and he said: “Whoever stays with the imam until he leaves, (the reward of) qiyaam al-layl will be written for him.â€
Narrated and classed as saheeh by al-Tirmidhi (806).
It means that, he who prays completely behind the Imam without leaving after praying some of the prayers including Witr will have the reward of praying the entire night.
Shaykh Ibn Jibreen in his Fataawa
Stated that;
Imam Ahmad used to pray with the imam and not leave until he finished, acting in accordance with the hadith. And whoever wants to attain this reward has to pray with the imam until he finishes Witr, whether he prays a little or a lot, and whether the time taken is long or short.â€
In conclusion, he who leaves the Imam without finishing witr behind him will not have the reward of praying the entire night. Hence, the wise one goes for the reward of praying entire night as against just a part of it.
Be patient and maintain the momentum by praying behind the Imam until he finishes.
Twitter: @Penabdull Instagram: @Penabdul