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Fatwa CenterPreference of what is odd-numbered (Witr)
Question
Is it preferable to use odd-numbers in all of our daily affairs such as eating 3 dates, 3 spoons of sugar, 3 eggs and the like in all matters?
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His Slave and Messenger.
Actually, answering this question is based on the meaning of the Hadeeth in which the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “Allaah is Witr (One) and Loves Witr (i.e. that which is odd-numbered).” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
There are many illustrations to this Hadeeth. An-Nawawi 
said in his explanation of Saheeh Muslim: “The meaning of Allaah The Almighty Loves what is Witr (i.e. odd-numbered) is the preference of what is Witr in many deeds and acts of worship. Allaah The Almighty Made prayer five times, repeating ablution actions three times, and circumambulation seven, Sa‘y seven, throwing the Pebbles seven, Days of Tashreeq three, Istinjaa’ three, shrouding in three layers, in Zakah five Wasaqs and five Uqiyyahs of silver and the Nisaab of camels and other things. Moreover, Allaah The Almighty Created many of His great Creations in odd-numbers such as the heavens, earths, seas days of the week and other things. It is also said that its meaning refers to those who sincerely worship Allaah The Almighty Alone and believe in His Oneness.”
Al-Haafith in Fat-h Al-Baari said: “Concerning “… He Loves Witr” ‘Iyaadh said, ‘It means that the odd-numbered Names of Allaah The Almighty has preference over the even-numbered of His Names, for it refers to the Oneness of His Attributes.’ This opinion was rejected because if the meaning was to indicate the Oneness of Allaah The Almighty, then there would not have been several Names. Rather, what is meant is that Allaah The Almighty Loves that which is odd-numbered of everything in spite of its plurality.
It has also been said that it refers to those who sincerely worship Allaah The Almighty Alone for He Ordered doing Witr in many deeds and acts of worship such as five obligatory prayers, praying Witr at night, times of purification and shrouding the deceased, in addition to many of the creation, such as the heavens and earth.”
Al-Qurtubi said: “It seems that Witr is a general term, as there was nothing specified in that regard in order to be taken as a model, so it means that Allaah The Almighty Is One and Loves all Witr matters He Has Enjoined.”
Furthermore, Al-Haafith said: “making them Witr i.e. the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, eating dates, Al-Muhallab said, ‘(he did that in order to) refer to the Oneness of Allaah The Almighty, as he used to do in all his other affairs in order to be endowed with blessings.
Hence, if anyone performs odd-numbered actions where it is possible to do so, intending to exalt the attribute of the Oneness of Allaah The Almighty, we hope that he will be rewarded.
Allaah Knows best.
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