مرحبا بكم في موقع مواقيت الصلاة

How to Pray Witr

Praying Witr Salah can seem confusing, especially with different interpretations across various schools of Islamic jurisprudence. Known as the “odd-numbered” prayer, it’s a vital night ritual that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) never missed.

This article breaks down how to pray Witr, step by step, exploring its significance and various methods according to Hanafi, Shafi, Hanbali, and Maliki teachings.

Ready to perfect your nightly worship? Let’s dive in!

Witr Prayer is distinct among Islamic prayers. Unlike the other daily Salahs Muslims observe worldwide, Witr has specific characteristics and rules.

It is an integral part of one’s regular prayer schedule and is accepted by various schools of Fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence). However, it keeps a slightly different format that allows for flexibility based on individual comfort.

The term “Witr” in Arabic means “odd,” referring to the practice of praying an odd number of rakats during this form–usually three, but this can be increased to five, seven, or nine. Such distinguishing characteristics set Witr apart from the standard five times daily obligatory Salah.

Furthermore, recitation during the Witr Salah is no small matter; specific Surahs like Al-A’la (chapter 87), Al Kafirun (chapter 109), and Ikhlas (chapter 112) are given preference echoing teachings from Sahih hadith and Quranic traditions. Sunan Ibn Majah 1173

Moreover, understanding diverging perspectives regarding its classification plays a critical role in defining how you’ll approach this act of worship.

With such varying interpretations upheld by reputed scholars reinforcing both views, while being equally backed by Hadith on Witr Salah, demonstrates that Islam encourages diversity within unity even in matters related to acts of worship.

The Importance of Witr Salah

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) encouraged this devotion and was known never to miss it, even while traveling, indicating its importance in Islam. In one of his hadith, he commanded the believers to perform it, as it is a dear act to Allah SWT:

“‏ يَا أَهْلَ الْقُرْآنِ أَوْتِرُوا فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ وِتْرٌ يُحِبُّ الْوِتْرَ ‏”‏

The Prophet (ﷺ) said: Allah SWT is single (Witr) and loves what is single, so observe the Witr, you who follow the Qur’an.

Sunan Abi Dawud 1416

Witr Salah is an integral part of the Isha prayer, which holds immense significance for the faithful followers. Its context within the night prayer makes it an efficient way to seek Allah SWT’s mercy and forgiveness before daybreak.

Besides fulfilling religious duties, performing Witr Salah can bring a sense of calm and peace, strengthening one’s faith and commitment to serving Allah SWT.

With timings from after Isha to dawn break, it provides an opportunity for worshippers who may be unable to perform their Salah at ideal times due to personal commitments or circumstances.

Timing for Witr Prayer

The timing for Witr prayer is essential to ensure its validity and to align with the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Witr prayer can be performed anytime after the Isha Salah until the break of dawn.

This allows individuals to pray Witr at a time that suits their schedule, allowing them to fulfill this vital act of worship. It is recommended, however, to perform the Witr prayer in the latter part of the night after offering Tahajjud prayers.

‏ اجْعَلُوا آخِرَ صَلاَتِكُمْ بِاللَّيْلِ وِتْرًا ‏”

“Make Witr as your last prayer at night.”

Source: Sahih al-Bukhari 998

By observing these timings, Muslims can maintain a strong connection with Allah SWT and seek His blessings during these sacred moments of supplication.

The Number of Rakats in Witr Prayer

The number of rakats in the Witr prayer can vary depending on the school of Fiqh one follows.

The most common method is to pray three rakat of Witr as follows:

• Recite tashahud in the second rakat and then stand up.
• Recite Dua e Qunut after standing up from ruku in the last rakat.
• In the last Rakat, finish the prayer by saying salam after reciting Tashahud and Durood-e-Ibrahimi.

Step-by-step Guide to Witr Prayer

Learn how to pray Witr Salah with our simple step-by-step guide. Master this essential Islamic prayer to strengthen your relationship with Allah SWT.

Preparation for the Prayer

It’s necessary to make complete preparations before beginning the Witr prayer. Begin by performing the obligatory Isha Salah and having a clean ablution (wudu). Find a quiet, clean place to pray where you can concentrate without distractions.

It is mandatory to face the Qibla, which is the direction of Mecca’s Kaaba.

To begin, decide (niyyah) to perform Witr Salah solely to please Allah SWT. To start praying, raise your hands above your shoulders and say “Allahu Akbar” (Allah SWT is Greatest).

The First Rakat

You begin the first rakat of Witr prayer by expressing your intention (niyyah) to pray Witr and raising your hands for Takbir (“Allahu Akbar”). Then, recite Surah Al-Fatihah, followed by another surah or a few Quranic verses.

After that, perform ruku and say “Subhana Rabbiyal Adheem” three times. Then, stand up straight and say “Sami Allahu liman hamidah”.  Next, perform Sujood (prostration) and praise Allah SWT by saying “Subhana Rabbiyal A’la” three times. Sunan an-Nasa’i 1046, Hisn al-Muslim 38

Rise from prostration, and then continue your second rakat.

The Second Rakat

Scholars have differing opinions on how the second Rakat of the Witr prayer should be performed.

One option is to pray without sitting for tashahhud, which means standing up for the third rakat after rising from the second Sujood. (Reference)

You can also sit for tashahud in the second rakat. Then, like Maghrib, stand up for the third rakat. (Reference)

The third option is to sit for tashahud in the second rakat, then say tasleem to conclude the prayer, then stand up and pray one rakat of Witr  Sunan Ibn Majah 1177

The Third Rakat

The third rakat in the Witr prayer is especially important. This is referred to as “Qunut,”.  It entails reciting a specific dua known as “dua-e-qunoot” after standing up from ruku and saying “Sami Allahu liman hamidah”.

You may recite dua-e-qunoot silently or aloud but make sure the person next to you doesn’t get teased.

In the third Rakat, you conclude the prayer with tashahud and Durood-e-Ibrahimi followed by tasleem.

Remember that by performing the final rakat of Witr Salah with sincerity and devotion, you will have completed one of the most noble acts of worship prescribed by Prophet Muhammad PBUH.

Recommendations of the Prophet Muhammad PBUH

• “‏ لاَ وِتْرَانِ فِي لَيْلَةٍ ‏” (There are no two Witrs during one night.)
• وَإِنَّهُ كَانَ يَقُولُ اجْعَلُوا آخِرَ صَلاَتِكُمْ وِتْرًا “The last rak`at of the night prayer should be odd, for the Prophet (ﷺ) ordered it to be so. Source: Sahih al-Bukhari 472
• “‏ مَنْ خَافَ أَنْ لاَ يَقُومَ مِنْ آخِرِ اللَّيْلِ فَلْيُوتِرْ أَوَّلَهُ وَمَنْ طَمِعَ أَنْ يَقُومَ آخِرَهُ فَلْيُوتِرْ آخِرَ اللَّيْلِ فَإِنَّ صَلاَةَ آخِرِ اللَّيْلِ مَشْهُودَةٌ وَذَلِكَ أَفْضَلُ ‏”

If anyone is afraid he may not get up in the latter part of the night, he should observe Witr in the first part. 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), which is preferable. Source: Sahih Muslim 755a

Dua-e-Qunoot in Arabic

There are two versions of Dua-e-Qunoot, Hanbali and Hanafi. The most common one is the following:

“‏ اللَّهُمَّ اهْدِنِي فِيمَنْ هَدَيْتَ وَعَافِنِي فِيمَنْ عَافَيْتَ وَتَوَلَّنِي فِيمَنْ تَوَلَّيْتَ وَبَارِكْ لِي فِيمَا أَعْطَيْتَ وَقِنِي شَرَّ مَا قَضَيْتَ إِنَّكَ تَقْضِي وَلاَ يُقْضَى عَلَيْكَ وَإِنَّهُ لاَ يَذِلُّ مَنْ وَالَيْتَ تَبَارَكْتَ رَبَّنَا وَتَعَالَيْتَ ‏”

Allahumma ihdini fiman hadayta wa ‘afini fiman afayta wa tawallani fiman tawallayta wa barik li fima a’tayta, wa qini sharra ma qadayta, fa innaka taqdi wa la yuqda ‘alayk, wa innahu la yadhilluman walayta, tabarakta Rabbana wa at’alayt

(O Allah, guide me among those whom You have guided, pardon me among those You have pardoned, turn to me in friendship among those on whom You have turned in friendship, and bless me in what You have bestowed, and save me from the evil of what You have decreed. For verily You decree, and none can influence You, and he is not humiliated whom You have befriended. Blessed are You, O Lord, and Exalted.)'”

Reference: Sunan an-Nasa’i 1745

The Hanafi Version:

اَللَّهُمَّ إنا نَسْتَعِينُكَ وَنَسْتَغْفِرُكَ وَنُؤْمِنُ بِكَ وَنَتَوَكَّلُ عَلَيْكَ وَنُثْنِئْ عَلَيْكَ الخَيْرَ وَنَشْكُرُكَ وَلَا نَكْفُرُكَ وَنَخْلَعُ وَنَتْرُكُ مَنْ ئَّفْجُرُكَ اَللَّهُمَّ إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَلَكَ نُصَلِّئ وَنَسْجُدُ وَإِلَيْكَ نَسْعأئ وَنَحْفِدُ وَنَرْجُو رَحْمَتَكَ وَنَخْشآئ عَذَابَكَ إِنَّ عَذَابَكَ بِالكُفَّارِ مُلْحَقٌ

Allah humma, innaa nasta-‘eenoka, wa nastaghfiruka, wa nu’minu bika, wa natawakkalu ‘alaika, wa nuthni ‘alaikal khair, wa nashkuruka, walaa nakfuruka, wa nakhla-oo, wa natruku may yafjuruka. Allah SWT humma, iyyaaka na’budu, wa laka nusalli, wa nasjudu, wa ilaika nas aa, wa nahfidhu, wa narju rahma taka, wa nakhshaa ‘adhaaabaka, innaa adhaabaka bil kuffari mulhiq.

“O Allah! We implore You for help and beg forgiveness of You, and believe in You, and rely on You and praise You, and we are thankful to You and are not ungrateful to You, and we alienate and forsake those who disobey You. O Allah SWT! You alone do we worship, and for You do, we pray and prostrate, and we betake to please You and present ourselves for the service in Your cause, and we hope for Your mercy and fear Your chastisement. Undoubtedly, Your torment is going to overtake infidels.”

Source: Dua E Qunoot – Islaah

Remember to humbly raise your hands and sincerely ask Allah SWT for mercy and forgiveness while making this Dua.

Understanding the Different Methods of Praying Witr

You can pray Witr in different ways, including the Hanbali, Hanafi, Shafi, and Maliki methods. Here, we will describe all the methods the different schools follow.

The Shafi and Hanbali Method

The Shafi and Hanbali method considers Witr prayer as Sunnah prayer. It allows for flexibility in performing Witr, as it can be done with 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, or even 11 rakats.

Both schools also prefer to skip the Tashahud in the second rakat of the Witr and finish the Witr at the third and final rakat.

The Hanafi Method

The Hanafis are followers of Imam Abu Hanifah, and Witr Salah is considered wajib, or obligatory, according to their school of Fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence).

This means that they consider Witr prayer a religious obligation for all Muslims. While other schools may regard it as Sunnah Al-Muakkadah or Prophet Muhammad’s confirmed practice, the Hanafi Method emphasizes its obligatory nature.

The Hanafis prefer praying three rakats of Witr and dislike praying one rakat.

The Maliki Method

Witr prayer is considered a Sunnah Muakkadah by the Maliki. Consistent with Hanafi, praying one rakat of Witr is also disliked. The Maliki school prefers to divide the three rakat into two by saying salam after two rakat and then praying the third as Witr.

You can choose the method that suits your beliefs and practices by understanding the differences in interpretation. It is important though to stay consistent in your religious practices.

Conclusion

Witr prayer is an essential part of a Muslim’s daily prayer routine. While the specific method may differ depending on one’s Fiqh school, it is critical to understand the significance and practice of this one-of-a-kind prayer.

You can confidently perform Witr Salah and reap its spiritual benefits by following the step-by-step guide described in this article. Accept this beautiful act of worship, and deepen your connection with Allah SWT by performing Witr.

FAQs

What is Witr prayer?

Witr prayer is an Islamic prayer that follows the Isha (night) prayer but before the Fajr (dawn) prayer. It comprises an odd number of rakats (units), usually three, but it can also be done with one or five.

Is there a specific time to perform the Witr prayer?

The Witr prayer is best performed after Tahajjud, optional night prayers offered between midnight and Fajr prayers. If someone cannot wake up for Tahajjud prayers, they can perform Witr prayers right before bed after completing Isha (night) prayers.