Witr is the odd-numbered Salah that closes a Muslim’s night prayers. It is prayed any time after Isha until the start of Fajr, usually as one or three rakats, and it includes a special supplication called Dua Qunut. Rasool Allah ﷺ never left it, at home or while traveling, which is why it holds such a high place among the voluntary prayers.
The Prophet ﷺ said that Allah is Witr (One) and loves what is odd (Sahih Muslim 2677). This guide explains when to pray Witr, how many rakats to offer, and how to perform it step by step according to the main schools.
Ruling and time of Witr
In the Hanafi madhab, Witr is wajib (necessary), a level just below fard. The Shafi’i, Maliki and Hanbali schools treat it as a Sunnah mu’akkadah, a strongly emphasized Sunnah. Either way, scholars agree a Muslim should not leave it.
- Earliest time: right after you have prayed Isha.
- Latest time: before the entry of Fajr.
- Best time: the last part of the night, for those who trust themselves to wake up. The Prophet ﷺ said: “Make Witr the last of your prayer at night” (Sahih al-Bukhari 998, Sahih Muslim 751).
- If you may not wake: pray it before sleeping. Jabir (RA) reported that whoever fears he will not get up at the end of the night should pray Witr at the beginning of it (Sahih Muslim 755). Abu Hurairah (RA) also said the Prophet ﷺ advised him to pray Witr before going to sleep (Sahih al-Bukhari 1981, Sahih Muslim 721).
If you pray Witr after Isha and then wake up for Tahajjud, pray your Tahajjud in pairs and do not repeat Witr. The Prophet ﷺ said there are no two Witrs in one night (Sunan Abi Dawud 1439, Jami’ at-Tirmidhi 470).
How many rakats is Witr?
| School | Common practice | Dua Qunut |
|---|---|---|
| Hanafi | 3 rakats with one salam, sitting for Tashahhud after the 2nd rakat | In the 3rd rakat, before ruku, every night of the year |
| Shafi’i and Hanbali | At least 1 rakat; 3 is common (2 + 1 with a salam in between), and up to 11 are allowed | After rising from ruku in the last rakat (Shafi’is usually in the second half of Ramzan) |
| Maliki | 2 rakats (Shaf’), salam, then 1 rakat of Witr | Qunut is generally said in Fajr rather than Witr |
All of these come from authentic practice. Ibn Umar (RA) reported that Witr is one rakat at the end of the night (Sahih Muslim 752), and other narrations describe three. Follow the method taught at your local Masjid or by a scholar you trust, and do not argue with others who pray it differently.
Step-by-step: 3 rakats of Witr (Hanafi method)
- Make the intention (niyyah) in your heart to pray three rakats of Witr, then say Allahu Akbar.
- First rakat: recite Surah Al-Fatihah and another surah. The Prophet ﷺ often recited Surah Al-A’la (87) here (Sunan Abi Dawud 1423). Complete ruku and two sajdahs as normal.
- Second rakat: recite Al-Fatihah and a surah, such as Surah Al-Kafirun (109). After the two sajdahs, sit for Tashahhud (At-Tahiyyat) only, then stand up without saying salam.
- Third rakat: recite Al-Fatihah and a surah, such as Surah Al-Ikhlas (112).
- Before going into ruku, say Allahu Akbar while raising your hands to your ears, then fold them again.
- Recite Dua Qunut quietly.
- Say Allahu Akbar, go into ruku, and finish the prayer with two sajdahs, the full Tashahhud, Durood-e-Ibrahim, a dua and salam.
In the Shafi’i and Hanbali method, you may pray two rakats and end with salam, then stand and pray a single rakat. Qunut, when said, comes after rising from ruku in that final rakat with hands raised. For the general movements of each rakat, see our guide on how to perform Salah step by step.
Dua Qunut: what to recite
The Prophet ﷺ taught his grandson Hasan ibn Ali (RA) a supplication to say in Witr (Sunan Abi Dawud 1425, Jami’ at-Tirmidhi 464). In transliteration it begins:
Allahumma-hdini fiman hadayt, wa ‘afini fiman ‘afayt, wa tawallani fiman tawallayt, wa barik li fima a’tayt, wa qini sharra ma qadayt. Fa innaka taqdi wa la yuqda ‘alayk, wa innahu la yadhillu man walayt, tabarakta Rabbana wa ta’alayt.
Meaning: O Allah, guide me among those You have guided, grant me well-being among those You have granted well-being, take me into Your care among those You care for, bless what You have given me, and protect me from the harm of what You have decreed. You decree and none decrees over You. Whoever You befriend is never humiliated. Blessed are You, our Lord, and Exalted.
Many Hanafi Muslims recite another well-known Qunut that begins Allahumma inna nasta’inuka. Both are accepted. If you have not memorized either yet, scholars allow a short dua such as Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanah wa fil-akhirati hasanah wa qina ‘adhaban-nar (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:201) until you learn it.
Common mistakes and missed Witr
- Forgetting Qunut: in the Hanafi school, if you remember only after going into ruku, do not go back; complete the prayer and perform Sujood as-Sahw at the end.
- Missing Witr entirely: Hanafis make it up (qada) as three rakats. Others recommend making it up during the day as an even number of rakats, as the Prophet ﷺ did with his night prayer.
- Praying Witr before Isha: it is not valid; Isha must come first.
- While traveling: Witr is still prayed in full, even when you shorten your fard prayers. Read our guide on praying Salah while traveling.
You can read the narrations cited here in full on Sunnah.com, which hosts the major Hadith collections with English translations.
Frequently asked questions
Can I pray Witr with one rakat?
Yes, according to the Shafi’i, Hanbali and Maliki schools, based on Sahih Muslim 752. The Hanafi school requires three rakats.
Is Witr part of Isha?
It is a separate prayer, but its time begins after Isha, so many people pray it right after the Isha Sunnah. In Ramzan, it is usually prayed in congregation after Taraweeh.
Do I recite Dua Qunut aloud?
When praying alone, recite it quietly. In congregation, practice varies: the imam may say it aloud and the followers say Ameen, or each person reads it silently, depending on the school.
Can women pray Witr the same way?
Yes. Witr is the same for men and women, with the usual differences in posture that some schools teach for all prayers. Inshallah, making it a nightly habit brings lasting reward.
Discover more from ImranJalna
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Leave a Reply