Dawud and Ibn Majah (70). A similar narration is from Ibn Abbas, recorded by Ibn Majah (71). The hadith of Aishah regarding this is not established, as it is narrated by Yahya ibn Ayyub, and he is weak. Ahmad and Yahya ibn Ma'in have rejected the addition of the two protective surahs.

Section: Ahmad, may Allah have mercy on him, said: The hadiths which have come down stating that the Prophet -peace and blessings of Allah be upon him- performed Witr with one rak'ah imply that there was a prayer performed beforehand. He was asked: Did he perform Witr in a state of travel with one? He said: He prays two rak'ahs before it. He was asked: Should there be a duration between the rak'ah and the even-numbered prayer? He said: It pleases me that it be after it and with it. Then he argued, saying: "The prayer of the night is two by two, so if one of you fears the dawn, let him perform Witr with one rak'ah" (72). He was asked: A man performed voluntary prayer after the later Isha and then had supper, then he wanted to perform Witr [does it please you that he performs two rak'ahs then performs Witr] (73)? He said: Yes. He was asked about someone who prayed some of the night, then slept and did not perform Witr? He said: It pleases me that the man performs two rak'ahs (74), then gives the salutation (Taslim), then performs Witr with one. He was asked about a man who reached the morning and had not performed Witr? He said: He does not perform Witr with one rak'ah, unless he fears the rising of the sun. It was asked: Should he perform Witr with three? He said: Yes, he performs two rak'ahs, unless he fears the rising of the sun. He was asked: If he joins the Imam for the Witr rak'ah? He said: If the Imam separates between them with a salutation, the one rak'ah suffices him; but if the Imam does not give the salutation in the two, he follows him (75), and compensates what he missed of the prayer, and when he finishes, he rises to compensate, and he does not perform Qunut.