The Book of Qiyam Al-Lail (The Night Prayer) and Voluntary Prayers During the Day
20/26. Chapter:
How to pray at night
Sunan an-Nasai
أَخْبَرَنَا أَحْمَدُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الْمُغِيرَةِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا عُثْمَانُ، عَنْ شُعَيْبٍ، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، عَنْ سَالِمٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، قَالَ سَأَلَ رَجُلٌ مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم كَيْفَ صَلاَةُ اللَّيْلِ فَقَالَ " صَلاَةُ اللَّيْلِ مَثْنَى مَثْنَى فَإِذَا خِفْتَ الصُّبْحَ فَأَوْتِرْ بِوَاحِدَةٍ " .
It was narrated that Ibn Umar said: "A man from among the Muslims asked the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ): 'How are prayers at night to be done?' He said: 'prayers at night are (offered) two by two, then if you fear that dawn will come, pray witr with one.'"
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 1672In-book reference : Book 20, Hadith 75English translation : Vol. 2, Book 20, Hadith 1673