Sitting or standing While Performing the Nafl salaah after the Witr

Q: Salaah-230: Is it better to stand or to sit while performing the two Rakaahs Nafl salaah after the Witr salaah? What was the practice of Rasulullaah SAW. in this regard. Please furnish details from authentic sources.

Answer: It is best to stand and perform the two Rakaahs Nafl salaah after the Witr salaah. Rasulullaah SAW. mentioned that sitting and performing Nafl salaah earns only half the rewards of performing it standing. Although there are narrations stating that Rasulullaah SAW. performed the salaah sitting as well as standing, he will receive the rewards in full because his action was done to teach the Ummah that standing is not Fardh (obligatory) in salaah. Teaching the Ummah was one of the Waajib (compulsory) duties of Nabuwwaat and therefore for Rasulullaah SAW. to earn the reward in full whilst sitting and performing the salaah was a privilege exclusive to him.

Some saints however state that if a person performs the two Rakaahs whilst sitting with the intention of following Rasulullaah SAW. there would be no wonder if he also received the reward in full. Nevertheless, the Ahadeeth tell us that the person performing salaah standing receives the full reward whereas the one performing salaah while sitting receives only half the reward. And Allaah knows best what is most correct.

Fatawa Rahimiyyah vol.2