Many Muslims want to learn how to pray Witr but feel unsure about the details. The Witr prayer stands out because it is very powerful. It comes after Isha and ends the night in a peaceful way. Although praying it is not an obligation, the Prophet ﷺ always offered this prayer. That proves it is very important.
Performing Witr is simple. You can recite one, three or another odd number of rakats. It has a section called Qunoot that adds something special to it. At any stage, practicing Witr today should be simple and straightforward.
Follow this guide and I will teach you the necessary steps. You’ll know what to read, how to do every action and how to make Witr a daily habit. If you need to start praying at night or simply wish to review the experience, this article will guide you to connect with Allah.
What Is Witr Prayer?
The witr prayer is considered important in Islam’s night prayers. Since Witr has an uneven rakat number, it is called “Witr”, the Arabic word for odd. It is not considered a daily required prayer, but it has the strongest possible status as an Sunnah Mu’akkadah.
After the Isha prayer, Muslims perform Witr to complete their daily prayer. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ always performed this prayer, even whenever he traveled. This makes it clear why it is so important for daily worship.
There is only one Witr and its form sets it apart. It seals the prayers for the day and brings closure to all other religious actions. People often use the hours after dusk to talk to Allah and ask for His help.
Even if it is not required, performing Witr is highly beneficial. The strong statements about it made by the Prophet have led many experts to believe it is nearly wajib.
In other words, Witr serves as your nightly way to bid farewell. The message calls us to end the day with Allah on our minds.
Why Witr Is Important in Islam
Witr prayer holds a high place in Islam. It is not obligatory like the five daily prayers, but it is strongly emphasized by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. He never left Witr, even while traveling. This shows its great spiritual value.
Sunnah Mu’akkadah: A Strongly Emphasized Sunnah
Witr is a Sunnah Mu’akkadah, which means the Prophet ﷺ always performed it and urged his followers to do the same. Ignoring it without reason is discouraged.
Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه) said:
“My close friend (the Prophet ﷺ) advised me not to leave three things: fasting three days of every month, praying Duha, and praying Witr before sleeping.” (Sahih al-Bukhari: 1178, Sahih Muslim: 721)
This Hadith shows how much the Prophet ﷺ valued Witr.
Witr Is the Final Seal of the Day
The Prophet ﷺ described Witr as a spiritual closure to the day. He said:
“Make Witr the last of your night prayers.” (Sahih al-Bukhari: 998, Sahih Muslim: 751)
This tells us that Witr is not just another prayer—it is a way to end your daily worship with a special connection to Allah.
Witr as a Distinguishing Mark of Believers
In another Hadith, the Prophet ﷺ said:
“Indeed, Allah is Witr (One), and He loves Witr. So offer Witr, O people of the Qur’an.” إِنَّ اللَّهَ وِتْرٌ يُحِبُّ الْوِتْرَ، فَأَوْتِرُوا يَا أَهْلَ الْقُرْآنِ (Sunan Abu Dawood: 1416, Tirmidhi: 453)
This Hadith shows that praying Witr is a mark of love and obedience toward Allah. It sets apart the people who remember Him during the night.
Scholars’ Opinions
Many people from Hanafi school of thought view Witr as almost necessary, very close to wajib. They believe leaving it without excuse is a sin, though not as serious as missing an obligatory prayer.
Practicing Witr helps a person become more disciplined and close to Allah.
Witr is a way to end your day by remembering God, reflecting and asking for His blessings. It brings a sense of love and makes Muslims feel close to Allah.
Witr helps us overcome our laziness. It means being sincere, as it’s normally prayed alone and in private.
Steps to Pray Witr Salah (Three Rakat – Most Common Way)
To pray Witr, most Muslims complete three rakats as they do for Maghrib and add a special Dua at the end of the final rakat.
Step 1: Make the Intention (Niyyah)
Before you begin, make a clear intention in your heart. You don’t need to say it out loud.
Niyyah (In the heart): “I intend to pray three rakats of Witr for the sake of Allah.”
Step 2: First Rakat
- Say “Allahu Akbar” (اللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ) while raising both hands near your ears and begin the prayer.
- Recite Thanaa (Opening Supplication):سُبْحَانَكَ اللَّهُمَّ وَبِحَمْدِكَ، وَتَبَارَكَ اسْمُكَ، وَتَعَالَى جَدُّكَ، وَلَا إِلَهَ غَيْرُكَ “Glory is to You, O Allah, and praise is Yours. Blessed is Your Name, exalted is Your Majesty, and there is no god but You.”
- Recite Surah Al-Fatiha (الفاتحة):الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ … وَلَا الضَّالِّينَ آمِينَ
- Then recite any short Surah or verses from the Qur’an (e.g., Surah Ikhlas):قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ – اللَّهُ الصَّمَدُ – لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُولَدْ – وَلَمْ يَكُن لَّهُ كُفُوًا أَحَدٌ
- Say “Allahu Akbar” and go into Rukoo (bowing):
- While bowing, recite:سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْعَظِيمِ “Glory be to my Lord, the Most Great.” (Say it at least three times)
- Stand up from Rukoo while saying:سَمِعَ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ “Allah hears the one who praises Him.”
- Then say:رَبَّنَا لَكَ الْحَمْدُ “Our Lord, to You is all praise.”
- Say “Allahu Akbar” and go into Sajdah (prostration):
- In sujood, recite:سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الأَعْلَى “Glory be to my Lord, the Most High.” (At least three times)
- Sit between the two Sajdahs and say:رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي، رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي “My Lord, forgive me, my Lord, forgive me.”
- Perform the second Sajdah with the same words as before.
- Stand up for the second rakat by saying “Allahu Akbar”.
Step 3: Second Rakat
- Begin with Surah Al-Fatiha, then another short Surah.
- Follow the same process: Rukoo, standing, Sajdah, sitting, and second Sajdah.
- After the second Sajdah, do not sit for Tashahhud yet.
- Stand up immediately for the third rakat saying “Allahu Akbar”.
Step 4: Third Rakat
- Recite Surah Al-Fatiha again.
- Then recite another short Surah.
- After the recitation, raise your hands and say “Allahu Akbar”, and begin Dua e Qunoot.
🔹 Dua e Qunoot (Supplication in Witr)
Raise your hands in Qunoot and recite:
اللَّهُمَّ اهْدِنِي فِيمَنْ هَدَيْتَ، وَعَافِنِي فِيمَنْ عَافَيْتَ، وَتَوَلَّنِي فِيمَنْ تَوَلَّيْتَ، وَبَارِكْ لِي فِيمَا أَعْطَيْتَ، وَقِنِي شَرَّ مَا قَضَيْتَ، فَإِنَّكَ تَقْضِي وَلَا يُقْضَى عَلَيْكَ، وَإِنَّهُ لَا يَذِلُّ مَنْ وَالَيْتَ، وَلَا يَعِزُّ مَنْ عَادَيْتَ، تَبَارَكْتَ رَبَّنَا وَتَعَالَيْتَ، فَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ عَلَى مَا قَضَيْتَ، وَأَسْتَغْفِرُكَ وَأَتُوبُ إِلَيْكَ، وَصَلَّى اللهُ عَلَى سَيِّدِنَا مُحَمَّدٍ النَّبِيِّ الأُمِّيِّ وَعَلَى آلِهِ وَصَحْبِهِ وَسَلَّمَ
Translation (Optional):
“O Allah, guide me among those You have guided, grant me safety among those You have granted safety, take me into Your care among those You have taken into Your care, bless me in what You have given, and protect me from the evil You have decreed…”
If you don’t know Qunoot by heart, you may say any other heartfelt dua in Arabic.
Complete the Rakat
- After Qunoot, proceed to Rukoo as usual.
- Then Sajdah, sitting, and second Sajdah.
- After the second sajdah, sit for Tashahhud and recite:
التَّحِيَّاتُ لِلَّهِ وَالصَّلَوَاتُ وَالطَّيِّبَاتُ… (Complete the full Tashahhud, including Durood Ibrahim and any final dua)
End the Prayer
- Say Salaam to the right:السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ
- Then to the left:السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ
That is the end of the three-rakat Witr prayer. At this point, you can raise your hands and make a personal prayer to Allah in the language you understand, requesting what you wish for.
When to Pray Witr
After praying Isha at night, Witr prayer should be performed and before Fajr prayer the next morning. This is the only proper period to look at. Praying Witr first, before Isha, does not give us any reward.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ clearly instructed, “Make Witr your last prayer at night” (Sahih al-Bukhari: 998, Sahih Muslim: 751), showing that Witr serves as a closing prayer for the day.
You can perform Witr prayers at two suitable moments. The very first one comes after Isha. This is suitable for anyone who worries about not waking up at night. The Prophet ﷺ once said, “If you fear that you will not get up in the last part of the night, then pray Witr before sleeping” (Sahih Muslim: 755). This makes it easy and safe—you won’t miss it.
The second best time is after Tahajjud, during what remains of the night. This time is more peaceful and spiritually rewarding. The Prophet ﷺ often delayed his Witr until this moment.
In another Hadith, he said, “The closest the Lord is to His servant is in the last part of the night, so if you can be among those who remember Allah at that time, then do so” (Tirmidhi: 3579).
It shows how powerful it is to end the night with religious worship.
To sum up, Witr prayer is allowed any time between Isha and Fajr. If you’re unsure whether you’ll wake up for Tahajjud, it’s better to pray it earlier. If you make it a habit to worship at night, keep your Witr till the end. In every Witr prayers, you are ending your conversation with Allah before the day starts.
How Many Rakats Are in Witr?
Odd numbers are always used in the Witr prayer. In Arabic, the word Witr means odd. As a result, you have the option to pray only one or as many as eleven rakats. Most people and scholars suggest praying three rakats during this time.
The Prophet’s Practice
The Prophet Muhammad usually performed three rakats of salah for Witr. Several authentic sources of information provide support for this idea. It is mentioned in one Hadith:
“The Prophet used to pray Witr with three rakats and he did not make Tasleem except at the end.” (Sunan An-Nasa’i: 1695, Sahih)
This means he would pray all three rakats together and end with one Salam.
Three Common Ways to Pray Witr
There are three valid ways to pray three rakats:
- Like Maghrib Salah: Two rakats, say Salam, then one rakat separately (as practiced in the Shafi’i and Hanbali schools).
- Three rakats together with one Tashahhud and one Salam (common in the Hanafi school).
- Three rakats together with two Tashahhuds but only one Salam at the end.
All are accepted in Islam, and you may choose the one that suits you best or follows your madhab.
Minimum One Rakat Is Also Valid
Some Hadith show that the Prophet ﷺ sometimes prayed just one rakat of Witr:
“Witr is one rakah at the end of the night.” (Sahih Muslim: 752)
This means if you are short on time or energy, you can still pray one rakat of Witr and earn the reward.
What Do Scholars Say?
- Hanafi scholars: Say Witr is wajib (necessary) and must be three rakats.
- Shafi’i, Maliki, and Hanbali scholars: Say it is Sunnah Mu’akkadah and can be one or more odd rakats.
At the end, Witr must be prayed in an odd number. Whether you pray 1, 3, or more rakats, it completes your night prayers and brings you closer to Allah.
Different Ways to Pray Witr (According to Madhabs)
Witr prayer stands out among the other Muslim prayers. The prayers must have an odd number of rakats, yet they are done in different ways. These schools are responsible for these variations in Islamic religious practices. All of them are genuine. They are guided by the Hadith and the way the Prophet ﷺ and his companions practiced Islam.
Hanafi considers Witr to be wajib, while it is not considered fard. Like for Maghrib, they begin with three rakats in one set. Only one Tashahhud is performed and Muslims send Salam greetings at the very end. In the third rakat, after reciting a Surah, they say “Allahu Akbar”, raise their hands, and then read Dua e Qunoot before bowing. In South Asia, the process is done frequently.
Witr is seen as a Sunnah Mu’akkadah by the Shafi’i and Hanbali schools of thought. Usually, they pray two rakats first, say Salam and then say an additional rakat separately. In that final rakat, they recite Surah Fatiha, another Surah, then Qunoot. They also raise their hands and say “Allahu Akbar” before Qunoot. You will find this form in Arab countries, the Gulf and East Africa.
According to the Maliki school, Witr is considered Sunnah. They have a simple way of playing. Often, they only perform one rakat of prayer, especially after praying Tahajjud. They can be repeated with any odd number from one to many, dependent on how many night prayers the person performs. In most cases, they do not read Qunoot unless there is a crisis or serious need.
All four schools agree that Witr should have an odd number of rakats. Whether it is prayed in one part or broken into two and one, whether with or without Qunoot, all methods are accepted. All the options are right. All of these prayers are confirmed by the Hadith.
They illustrate how flexible and easy Islam is. Witr was prayed differently by the Prophet ﷺ on different occasions. By doing this, religious scholars helped people understand faith in various parts of the world. You may want to go by your normal route or the one your school suggests. The goal is for you to go to sleep remembering Allah.
Is Witr compulsory in Isha?
The five daily prayers do not require the witr prayer. While not a religious requirement, it is very important for most Muslims. According to the Hanafi school, it is thought that giving zakat is necessary. Even when he was on the move, the Prophet always performed Witr. You should only skip this class if you have a valid reason. It is an optional worship in Isha, but it rounds off your night prayers. Praying Witr proves that a person cares about the Sunnah and loves Allah. This gives you the chance to end your day by remembering Allah.
Can You Pray Witr After Sleeping?
It is permitted to pray Witr once you wake up after sleeping. In fact, Witr should be offered towards the end of the night. Many times, he ﷺ decided to pray it after the Tahajjud prayer. If you worry about dying before dawn, it is better to finish your prayer with a Witr. Both options are okay.
If You Forget the Witr Prayer, What Should You Do?
If you didn’t pray Witr on time, you are still able to make it up. At one point, the Prophet ﷺ did not pray after dawn, so he offered it in the following morning. He prayed it during worship after mornings had begun with two rakats. It is considered better by scholars to perform the Witr you missed as soon as you remember. Witr cannot be prayed once the time for Fajr has arrived. So, performing two rakats after the salah is the proper thing to do as a makeup. Skipping Witr without a reason from time to time is not a huge sin, but to leave it habitually is considered carelessness.
Common Mistakes in Witr Prayer
Many people tend to make little but meaningful errors in the Witr prayer. They can interfere with the enjoyment of the prayer or cut off the focus during it.
Sometimes, people make the mistake of skipping Witr on a regular basis. Regardless of where he was, the Prophet ﷺ made sure to pray with the others. When you decide to leave it, you are not showing concern for the Sunnah.
People also sometimes pray a total of two or four rakats. The number of witr should always be odd, whether it’s one, three, five or a greater number.
Another mistake is not reciting Qunoot in the third rakat when it is part of your school’s method. If you follow the Hanafi, Shafi’i, or Hanbali school, leaving Qunoot without reason is wrong.
People often recite Qunoot in the wrong place. It needs to be said after the Surah, but not to mention (Dhikr) before Rukoo, while in the third rakat.
Some people are in such a hurry that their prayers lack focus. Witr is meant for close connections. Take time to consider all of the options. Check the messages that you send yourself.
Alternatively, some individuals choose to begin Witr after the morning call to prayer which is considered incorrect by some Muslims. Witr comes before the Fajr prayer call.
Tips to Make Witr a Daily Habit
Start small. If rakats seem difficult for you, start with one. You should focus mainly on being steadfast.
I should pray as soon as Isha is finished. If you feel doubtful about waking up for Tahajjud, do it anyway. Having discipline stops you from being late.
Setting a reminder on your phone will help you. Having a little caffeine after Isha can help you accomplish your tasks on eventful nights.
Use Witr as a personal prayer to Allah. Minimize the amount of lighting in the room. Try to work in a place free from distractions. Give priority to what you say.
Learn the Qunoot slowly. If you feel you need it, start with a brief prayer. As you go on, slowly add more equipment for each exercise.
Turn to Allah when you need help. You may choose to say, “Lord, please make it easy for me to pray Witr.” If you approach Him, He will help you make the right choices.
Reward yourself. Jot down your progress in a small notebook. Performing Witr prayers every night increases your connection with Allah.
If you want to pray Tahajjud, try going to bed early. If your mind is rested, you will find worshiping far easier.
Try to connect emotionally with your prayers rather than pray only as a habit. Witr is something special given, not something we do as a duty. Worship and hope wrap up your day, making it complete at night.
Eventually, Witr will turn into a habit that feels vital to your soul every night.
Conclusion: Make Witr Your Night’s Crown
Witr is more significant than only being a prayer. It is the last time you talk to your Allah before bedtime. It helps you end the day by worshiping, feeling at peace and reflecting. He followed the Quran at all times, during good and bad times alike. This demonstrates its worth.
No one needs to spend a long time or speak flawlessly. You only have to be honest. When one odd rakat is offered from the heart, it becomes very significant.
Say your Witr prayers to finish off the night. Let it become the finest thing about you. Make sure it reminds you that you should end each day with Allah.
