Chapter: One who fears that he will not get up at the end of the night, then he should pray Witr at the beginning of the night

Hadith 755 Part A

setting

Jabir reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying

If anyone is afraid that he may not get up in the latter part of the night, he should observe Witr in the first part of it; and if anyone is eager to get up in the last part of it, he should observe Witr at the end of the night, for prayer at the end of the night is witnessed (by the angels) and that is preferable.

Hadith 755 Part B

setting

Jabir reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying

He who amongst you is afraid that he may not be able to get up at the end of the night should observe Witr (in the first part) and then sleep, and he who is confident of getting up and praying at night (i. e. Tahajjud prayer) should observe it at the end of it, for the recitation at the end of the night is witnessed*, and that is better. *: meaning, "by angels" (Sharh an-Nawawi)