What is the ruling on taking a loan to buy a house from a government entity that pays the price of the house directly to the seller, with the house remaining in the name of the entity until the full amount is paid back with a 2% interest, and is it permissible to buy a house for a relative, such as a father, in this manner?

The Witr prayer is considered one of the emphasized Sunnahs that the Prophet (peace be upon him) encouraged and desired. The majority of scholars are of the opinion that it is an emphasized Sunnah (definition) and not obligatory, based on the saying of the Bedouin to the Prophet (peace be upon him) when he asked him about the five prayers: “Is there anything else obligatory upon me besides them?” He said: “No, unless you volunteer.” (Agreed upon).

Its time begins after the 'Isha prayer and ends with the emergence of dawn, based on the saying of the Prophet (peace be upon him): “Make the last of your prayers at night Witr.” (Agreed upon), and his saying (peace be upon him): “The night prayer is two by two, and if one of you fears the morning, he should pray one unit (rak'ah) which will make Witr for him what he has already prayed.” (Agreed upon).

As for the number of its units (rak'ahs), the minimum is one unit, the most complete is eleven units, and the maximum is thirteen units, as this is authentically reported from the Prophet (peace be upon him).

It is permissible for a Muslim to pray Witr at the beginning of the night, in the middle, or at its end. However, it is preferable to delay it until the end of the night for those who are able to do so, based on the saying of the Prophet (peace be upon him): “Whoever fears that he will not wake up at the end of the night, let him pray Witr at its beginning. And whoever hopes to wake up at its end, let him pray Witr at the end of the night, for the prayer at the end of the night is witnessed, and that is better.” (Reported by Muslim).

If a Muslim prays Witr and then wishes to pray more during the night, he may pray as many even-numbered units as he wishes without repeating Witr, based on the saying of the Prophet (peace be upon him): “There are not two Witrs in one night.” (Reported by Abu Dawud and An-Nasa'i).

Therefore, the Witr prayer is an emphasized Sunnah, and its time is from after 'Isha until the emergence of dawn. Its minimum is one unit, and it is best that it be the last prayer a Muslim performs at night.