that was unknown to the person denying its performance (1). They argued: Knowledge of such a matter may escape many people, while being known to only a few. They added: ‘Ā’ishah, Anas, Jābir, Umm Hāni’, and ‘Alī ibn Abī Tālib reported that he performed it. They further argued: This is supported by the authentic hadiths recommending (2) this prayer, encouraging its regular observance, and praising and commending those who perform it.

In the two Sahīh collections (3), Abū Hurayrah said: “My beloved friend, peace and blessings be upon him, advised me to fast three days of every month, to perform two rak‘ahs of the midmorning prayer, and to pray witr before going to sleep (4).” A similar report from Abū al-Dardā’ appears in Sahīh Muslim (5).

Also in Sahīh Muslim (6), Abū Dharr reported the following words, attributing them to the Prophet:

“Every morning, charity is due for every bone in each of you. Every declaration of Allah’s glory is charity; every praise of Allah is charity; every declaration that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah is charity; and every proclamation of Allah’s greatness is charity. Enjoining what is right is charity, and forbidding what is wrong is charity. Two rak‘ahs performed in the midmorning suffice for all of this.”

In Musnad al-Imām Ahmad (7), Mu‘ādh ibn Anas al-Juhanī reported that the Messenger of Allah (8)