instruction; just as Maghrib is the odd-numbered prayer of the day, praying an even number of sunnah units afterward does not alter that status. Similarly, since witr is an independent act of worship and is the odd-numbered prayer of the night, the two units after it serve (1) the same role in relation to witr as the sunnah of Maghrib does in relation to Maghrib.

Since Maghrib is obligatory, the Prophet (2), peace and blessings be upon him, was more assiduous in observing its sunnah than in observing the sunnah of witr. This is very clear according to the principles of those who hold witr to be obligatory. Further discussion of these two units will follow, Allah willing. This is a valuable issue that you may not find treated in any book. Success comes only through Allah.

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When he, peace and blessings be upon him, sat for the final tashahhud (testimony of faith), he would sit on his hip, resting it on the ground and extending both feet to one side.

This (3) is one of the three forms of this sitting posture reported from him, peace and blessings be upon him. Abū Dāwūd (4) mentioned it in the hadith of Abū Humayd through ‘Abd Allāh ibn Lahī‘ah. Abū Hātim also mentioned this description in his Sahīh, in the hadith of Abū Humayd, through a route other than Ibn Lahī‘ah. His hadith has already been cited.