Witr Prayer
Witr is an important night prayer offered after Isha and before Fajr. This guide explains its time, common 3 rak‘ah method, the 2 + 1 method, Dua Qunoot, virtues, and key references.
Quick Guide
Learn these basics first, then follow the step-by-step guide below.
After Isha, before Fajr
Witr is prayed after Isha and before Fajr. If you may not wake for Tahajjud, pray Witr before sleeping.
Odd-numbered prayer
Witr means odd. Many learners pray 3 rak‘ahs. Some pray 2 rak‘ahs with Salam, then 1 rak‘ah separately.
Dua in the final rak‘ah
In the common 3 rak‘ah method, Dua Qunoot is recited in the third rak‘ah before going into Ruku.
Best as the last prayer
The Prophet ﷺ taught that Witr should be made the last prayer of the night when a person is ending night prayer.
What Is Witr?
Witr means odd-numbered prayer. It is prayed after Isha and before Fajr. The Qur’an encourages night worship, and the detailed method of Witr is learned from the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ.
When Should Witr Be Prayed?
Witr is prayed after Isha and before Fajr. If a person is not sure they will wake for Tahajjud, it is better to pray Witr before sleeping. If a person regularly wakes for Tahajjud, they may keep Witr as the last prayer of the night.
- After Isha: Witr begins after the Isha prayer.
- Before Fajr: Witr should be prayed before the time of Fajr begins.
- Last prayer of the night: The Prophet ﷺ taught that Witr should be made the last prayer at night.
Step-by-Step Guide to Pray Witr
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ prayed Witr in more than one authentic way. Learn one method clearly and follow it properly without mixing methods inside the same prayer.
Three Rak‘ahs Together
This is a common method taught to many learners. Pray two rak‘ahs, sit for Tashahhud, stand for the third rak‘ah, recite Dua Qunoot before Ruku, then complete the prayer with final Tashahhud and Salam.
First rak‘ah
Begin Witr like normal Salah. Say Takbir, stand in Qiyam, recite Surah Al-Fatihah and another surah, then complete Ruku and two Sajdahs.
Second rak‘ah
Stand again, recite Surah Al-Fatihah and another surah, then complete Ruku and two Sajdahs. After the second Sajdah, sit and recite Tashahhud.
Stand for the third rak‘ah
After Tashahhud, say Allahu Akbar and stand up for the third rak‘ah. Recite Surah Al-Fatihah and another surah in this rak‘ah.
Takbir before Dua Qunoot
After completing the recitation in the third rak‘ah, say Allahu Akbar again, raise the hands, fold them, and recite Dua Qunoot before going into Ruku.
Complete the prayer
After Dua Qunoot, go into Ruku, then stand, then complete the two Sajdahs. Sit for the final Tashahhud, Durood Ibrahim, dua, and Salam.
Two Rak‘ahs + One Rak‘ah
This is also an authentic Sunnah. Pray two rak‘ahs and end with Salam, then stand and pray one separate rak‘ah to make the prayer odd.
Hadith basis: Sahih al-Bukhari 990Pray two rak‘ahs first
Begin with two rak‘ahs like a normal voluntary prayer. Recite Surah Al-Fatihah and another surah in each rak‘ah, complete Ruku and Sujud, sit for Tashahhud, and end with Salam.
Stand for one separate rak‘ah
After Salam, stand again for one rak‘ah. Recite Surah Al-Fatihah and another surah while standing.
Recite Dua Qunoot
Say Allahu Akbar, raise the hands, fold them again, and recite Dua Qunoot before Ruku if this is the method you follow.
Complete the final rak‘ah
Go into Ruku, stand again, complete two Sujud, sit for final Tashahhud, send Salawat upon the Prophet ﷺ, and end with Salam.
Dua Qunoot in Witr
In the common 3 rak‘ah method, Dua Qunoot is recited in the third rak‘ah before Ruku. The following dua is commonly taught to many Hanafi learners for Witr.
Commonly Taught Dua Qunoot
Allahumma inna nasta‘inuka wa nastaghfiruka wa nu’minu bika wa natawakkalu ‘alayka wa nuthni ‘alaykal-khayr. Wa nashkuruka wa la nakfuruk. Wa nakhla‘u wa natruku man yafjuruk. Allahumma iyyaka na‘budu wa laka nusalli wa nasjudu, wa ilayka nas‘a wa nahfidu, wa narju rahmataka wa nakhsha ‘adhabak. Inna ‘adhabaka bil-kuffari mulhiq.
Prophetic Qunoot Dua Reported for Witr
This shorter Qunoot dua is reported in hadith. It is useful to learn, especially for people who are beginning and want a directly narrated Witr Qunoot dua.
Allahumma ihdini 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.
Virtues and Important Guidance
- Witr closes the night prayer with an odd number. The Prophet ﷺ taught that night prayer is prayed two by two, then one rak‘ah makes it Witr when Fajr is approaching. Hadith: Sahih al-Bukhari 990
- It is best as the last prayer of the night. A person who is ending their night prayer should make Witr the final prayer before Fajr. Hadith: Sahih al-Bukhari 998
- Do not pray two Witrs in one night. If a person prayed Witr before sleeping and later wakes for Tahajjud, they may pray extra night prayer, but should not repeat Witr again the same night. Hadith: Jami‘ at-Tirmidhi 470
- Witr should not be treated casually. It is one of the most important prayers after Isha, and a beginner should learn it with calmness and consistency.
Common Mistakes
- Thinking Witr is prayed before Isha. Witr is prayed after Isha and before Fajr.
- Leaving Witr casually because it is not understood. Witr is an important night prayer and should be learned properly.
- Mixing methods in one prayer. Learn one method clearly first, then follow it correctly.
- Forgetting where Dua Qunoot comes in the common 3 rak‘ah method. It is recited in the third rak‘ah before Ruku.
- Thinking Tahajjud cannot be prayed after Witr. If someone already prayed Witr and later wakes for Tahajjud, they may pray extra night prayer, but should not pray another Witr the same night.
- Rushing through Qunoot without understanding that it is a dua asking Allah for help, forgiveness, and mercy.
Qur’an and Hadith References
These references explain the foundation of Witr, its time, its connection to night prayer, the 2 + 1 method, Qunoot, and the rule of not praying two Witrs in one night.
Qur’an: Surah Al-Isra 17:79
This verse encourages standing in the night for extra prayer. It shows the importance of night worship, while the exact method of Witr is learned from the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ.
Hadith: Sahih al-Bukhari 998
The Prophet ﷺ said to make Witr the last prayer at night. This teaches that if a person is ending their night prayers, Witr should be kept at the end.
Hadith: Sahih al-Bukhari 990
The Prophet ﷺ taught that night prayer is prayed two by two, then one rak‘ah is prayed to make the total odd. This supports the 2 + 1 Witr method.
Hadith: Sahih Muslim 754a
The Prophet ﷺ instructed that Witr should be prayed before morning. This means Witr is prayed after Isha and before the time of Fajr begins.
Hadith: Sunan an-Nasa’i 1745; Sunan Abi Dawud 1425
Al-Hasan رضي الله عنه reported that the Prophet ﷺ taught him words to say in Qunoot in Witr. This is a clear basis for learning Dua Qunoot in the Witr prayer.
Hadith: Jami‘ at-Tirmidhi 470
The Prophet ﷺ said there are no two Witrs in one night. If someone prayed Witr before sleeping and later wakes for Tahajjud, they may pray extra Nafl, but they should not repeat Witr.