“When you apply the water of ablution to the proper parts of your body, you rise forgiven. If you then stand to pray, that brings you merit and reward.” A man asked him: “Abū Umāma, tell me: if someone stands to pray, would that be an additional prayer for him?” He replied: “No. Additional prayer is exclusively for the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him. How could it be additional for someone who continues to commit sins and offences? It brings him merit and reward.”

I say: The point is that “additional” in the verse does not mean something one may either perform or omit, such as recommended or commendable acts. Rather, it means an increase in rank, something common to both obligatory and recommended acts. Thus, His words, “as an additional prayer for you,” do not negate the obligation indicated by the command. Further clarification of this issue will follow, Allah willing, when discussing matters exclusive to the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him.

He, peace and blessings be upon him, never abandoned the night prayer, whether at home or travelling. If sleep or illness overcame him, he would pray twelve units of prayer during the day (1). I heard Shaykh al-Islām Ibn Taymiyya say: “This indicates that witr is not made up, because its appointed occasion has passed. In this respect, it resembles the prayer of greeting the mosque, the eclipse prayer, the prayer for rain, and similar prayers. Its purpose is to make the final prayer of the night odd-numbered, just as Maghrib is the final prayer of the day. Once the night has ended and the dawn prayer has been performed, witr no longer fulfils its intended purpose.” This is the substance of his words (2).