TL;DR
- Witr is prayed after Isha and before Fajr.
- Witr must contain an odd number of rakats.
- Common counts are 1, 3, 5, 7, or 9 rakats.
- Hanafi Muslims normally pray 3 continuous rakats.
- Another common method is to pray 2 rakats, give salam, and then pray 1 separate rakat.
- Dua Qunoot is read during the final rakat.
- Pray Witr after Tahajjud if you are sure you will wake up.
- Pray Witr before sleeping if you may not wake up later.
- Do not pray Witr twice in the same night.
Witr is an odd-numbered prayer offered after Isha and before Fajr. It may be prayed as 1, 3, 5, 7, or 9 rakats, depending on the method and school of Islamic law you follow.
The 3 rakat method is common in many Muslim communities. However, Hanafi Muslims pray those 3 rakats differently from Muslims who follow the Shafi’i, Hanbali, or Maliki schools.
What Is Witr Prayer?
The word Witr means odd. The prayer is named for ending with an odd number of rakats.
Witr is offered at night after Isha. It may be prayed right after Isha, before sleeping, or after Tahajjud during the final part of the night.
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ encouraged Muslims to pray Witr. He said that Allah is One and loves what is odd.
Source: Jami at Tirmidhi, Book of Witr
Witr is not one of the five daily Fard prayers. However, it is an important night prayer that the Prophet ﷺ prayed regularly.
The Hanafi school classifies Witr as Wajib. This means Hanafi Muslims should not leave it without a valid reason. The Maliki, Shafi’i, and Hanbali schools generally classify it as a strongly confirmed Sunnah.
How Many Rakats Are in Witr?
Witr may be prayed using different odd numbers. Hadith reports support several valid counts.
1 Rakat
One rakat is the shortest Witr prayer.
The Prophet ﷺ said that Witr may be one rakat at the end of the night prayer.
This method is accepted by the Maliki, Shafi’i, and Hanbali schools. The Hanafi school normally requires 3 rakats.
3 Rakats
Three rakats are the most common Witr count.
They may be prayed in two main ways:
- Three continuous rakats with one salam at the end
- Two rakats with salam, followed by one separate rakat
The method you use should follow your Islamic school.
5 Rakats
Witr may also be prayed as 5 continuous rakats.
Aisha reported that the Prophet ﷺ prayed 5 Witr rakats and sat only at the end.
7 Rakats
Hadith reports also mention 7 continuous Witr rakats.
The Prophet ﷺ prayed 5 and 7 rakats without separating them with salam.
9 Rakats
Nine Witr rakats are also reported in the Prophet ﷺ’s night prayer.
This method has a specific sitting pattern. Beginners should learn it from a qualified teacher instead of guessing the steps.
Source: Sahih Muslim 738 and Sunan an Nasai 1724
Which Witr Rakat Count Should You Choose?
Most beginners should use the method taught by their family, mosque, or trusted scholar.
Hanafi Muslims normally pray 3 continuous rakats. Many Muslims following other Sunni schools pray 2 rakats followed by 1 separate rakat.
The different counts come from valid reports. You do not need to switch methods every night or argue that only one method is correct.
The goal is to end your night prayer with an odd number.
The Two Main Methods of 3 Rakat Witr
The biggest source of confusion is how to pray 3 rakats. The Hanafi method uses a single continuous prayer, whereas another common method separates the final rakat.
Hanafi Method: 3 Continuous Rakats
Hanafi Muslims pray 3 rakats together with one salam at the end.
They sit after the second rakat for Tashahhud but do not give salam. They then stand for the third rakat, read Surah Al Fatihah and another surah, and recite Dua Qunoot before ruku.
This prayer has features that set it apart from Maghrib. In the third rakat of Witr, another surah is recited after Surah Al-Fatihah. An extra takbir is also made before Dua Qunoot.
Step 1: Make Your Intention
Make the intention in your heart to pray 3 Wajib rakats of Witr for Allah.
You do not need to say the intention aloud.
Step 2: Pray the First Rakat
Say Allahu Akbar and begin the prayer.
Read the opening prayer if you normally read it. Then read Surah Al Fatihah followed by another short surah.
Complete ruku and two sujoods. Stand for the second rakat.
Step 3: Pray the Second Rakat
Read Surah Al Fatihah and another short surah. Complete ruku and two sujoods.
Sit and read the Tashahhud. Do not give salam.
Stand for the third rakat.
Step 4: Pray the Third Rakat
Read Surah Al Fatihah and another short surah.
After the recitation, raise your hands and say:
Allahu Akbar
Place your hands back in the prayer position and read Dua Qunoot.
After the dua, say Allahu Akbar and go into ruku. Complete the rest of the rakat as normal.
Sit after the second sujood and read the Tashahhud, Salawat, and a closing dua.
End the prayer by giving salam to the right and left.
Common Shafi’i, Hanbali, and Maliki Method
A common method outside the Hanafi school is to pray 2 rakats first, give salam, and then pray 1 separate rakat.
This method follows the hadith that night prayer is offered two rakats at a time, followed by one Witr rakat.
Source: Sahih Muslim 751 and 752
Step 1: Pray 2 Rakats
Make your intention and pray 2 normal rakats.
Read Surah Al Fatihah and another surah in both rakats. Sit after the second rakat and end with salam.
Step 2: Begin 1 Separate Rakat
Stand and make the intention to pray 1 rakat of Witr.
Say Allahu Akbar, then read Surah Al Fatihah and another short surah.
Read the Dua Qunoot according to your school’s method. Some schools read it before ruku, while others read it after standing up from ruku.
Complete the sujoods, sit for Tashahhud and Salawat, and end with salam.
Qunoot practices differ within these schools. Shafi’i Muslims often read it during certain times, including the later part of Ramadan. Hanbali Muslims may read it more regularly in Witr. Maliki guidance may differ.
Follow a trusted teacher from your school.
Does the Hanafi Method Copy Maghrib?
Some people hear a hadith advising against making Witr exactly like Maghrib and assume that the Hanafi method is invalid.
Hanafi scholars explain that their method is not exactly the same as that of the Maghrib. The third rakat includes another surah, an extra takbir, and Dua Qunoot before ruku.
Other scholars prefer separating the prayer into 2 rakats and 1 rakat, or praying 3 continuous rakats with only one sitting at the end.
These differences stem from how scholars understood and engaged with the hadith reports. Muslims should follow a trusted school without insulting people who use another accepted method.
Dua Qunoot in Arabic, Transliteration and English
The Prophet ﷺ taught Hasan ibn Ali a dua to read during the Qunoot of Witr.
Arabic
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، تَبَارَكْتَ رَبَّنَا وَتَعَالَيْتَ
Transliteration
Allahumma ihdini fiman hadayt, wa afini fiman afayt, wa tawallani fiman tawallayt, wa barik li fima atayt, wa qini sharra ma qadayt. Fa innaka taqdi wa la yuqda alayk. Wa innahu la yadhillu man walayt. Tabarakta Rabbana wa taalayt.
English Meaning
O Allah, guide me among those You have guided. Give me safety among those You have given safety. Take me into Your care among those You have taken into Your care.
Bless what You have given me and protect me from the harm of what You have decided. You decide, and no one decides over You. The person You support will not be disgraced. You are blessed, our Lord, and You are Most High.
Source: Sunan an Nasai 1745 and 1746
The Common Hanafi Dua Qunoot
Many Hanafi Muslims recite a longer Dua Qunoot beginning with:
Allahumma inna nastainuka wa nastaghfiruka
It means:
O Allah, we ask You for help and forgiveness. We believe in You, trust You, praise You, thank You, and do not reject You. You alone we worship. To You we pray and bow. We hope for Your mercy and fear Your punishment.
This dua has been used by many Companions and is accepted in Hanafi practice.
The dua taught to Hasan ibn Ali is also a valid Qunoot dua. The exact wording does not need to become a source of panic. Qunoot is a time to call upon Allah.
What If You Do Not Know Dua Qunoot?
You can read a short dua until you learn the full one.
A simple option is:
Allahummaghfir li
Meaning:
O Allah, forgive me.
You may also say:
Rabbana atina fid dunya hasanatan wa fil akhirati hasanatan wa qina adhaban nar
Meaning:
Our Lord, give us good in this world and good in the next life, and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.
Hanafi guidance may require a form of dua during Qunoot, but it does not mean a beginner must stop praying Witr until a long text is memorized.
Learn it a little at a time.
When Should You Pray Witr?
The time for Witr begins after Isha and ends when Fajr starts.
You may pray it right after Isha. You do not need to wait until Tahajjud time.
The best timing depends on whether you expect to wake up later.
Pray Before Sleeping If You May Not Wake Up
If you often sleep through alarms or are new to night prayer, pray Witr after Isha before going to bed.
The Prophet ﷺ told people who feared they would not wake up later to pray Witr during the first part of the night.
Pray After Tahajjud If You Will Wake Up
If you are confident that you will wake up for Tahajjud, delay Witr and pray it at the end.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Make Witr your last prayer at night.”
The later time is better for someone who can wake up, but the earlier Witr is safer for someone who may sleep through the night.
Can You Pray Witr After Tahajjud?
Yes. This is often the best order.
Pray Tahajjud in sets of 2 rakats. When you are ready to finish, pray Witr as the final prayer.
For example:
- 2 rakats of Tahajjud
- 2 more rakats of Tahajjud
- 1 or 3 rakats of Witr
If you already prayed Witr after Isha and later wake for Tahajjud, you may still pray Tahajjud. Pray it in sets of 2, but do not pray another Witr.
Can You Pray Witr Twice in One Night?
No. The Prophet ﷺ said:
“There are no two Witr prayers in one night.”
Source: Jami at Tirmidhi 470 and Sunan Abi Dawud 1439
If you prayed Witr before sleeping and later woke for Tahajjud, pray the extra night prayers in sets of 2. Do not repeat Witr.
Your first Witr remains valid.
What If You Missed Witr?
If you wake before Fajr begins, pray Witr at once.
If Fajr has already started, the method of making up Witr depends on your school.
Hanafi Muslims should make up missed Witr because Witr is Wajib in the Hanafi school. They normally make it up as 3 rakats.
Many scholars from other schools recommend making up the missed night prayer after sunrise using an even number. This view is linked to Aisha’s report that when the Prophet ﷺ missed his night prayer because of illness or sleep, he prayed 12 rakats during the day.
Ask a trusted scholar which method applies to you. Do not give up because you missed one night.
How to Pray 5 Rakats of Witr
Five rakats may be prayed continuously.
Read Surah Al Fatihah and another surah in each rakat. Complete the movements as normal, but do not sit for Tashahhud after every 2 rakats.
Sit only after the fifth rakat, then read the Tashahhud, Salawat, and closing dua before giving salam.
Aisha reported that the Prophet ﷺ prayed 5 Witr rakats and sat only at the end.
Source: Sahih Muslim 737
This method is not the normal Hanafi Witr method.
What Is the Best Surah to Read in Witr?
Hadith reports mention that the Prophet ﷺ sometimes read:
- Surah Al Ala in the first rakat
- Surah Al Kafirun in the second rakat
- Surah Al Ikhlas in the third rakat
These surahs are recommended but not required.
You may read any surah you know after Surah Al Fatihah.
Conclusion
Witr is an odd-numbered prayer offered after Isha and before Fajr. It may be prayed as 1, 3, 5, 7, or 9 rakats, though 3 rakats are the most common.
Hanafi Muslims normally pray 3 continuous rakats with Dua Qunoot before ruku in the third rakat. Another common method is to pray 2 rakats, give salam, and then pray 1 separate rakat.
Follow the method taught by your trusted school or mosque. The different methods are based on accepted Islamic evidence, so Witr should bring you closer to Allah, not pull you into an argument over prayer math.
Frequently Asked Questions
Choose the method your school follows. Hanafi Muslims normally pray 3 continuous rakats and read Dua Qunoot before ruku in the third rakat. Another common method is to pray 2 rakats with salam, then pray 1 separate rakat.
In the Hanafi method, pray 3 continuous rakats. Sit after the second rakat without giving salam. In the third rakat, read Surah Al Fatihah, another surah, and Dua Qunoot before ruku. In another common method, pray 2 rakats, give salam, and then pray 1 separate rakat.
Yes, according to the Maliki, Shafi’i, and Hanbali schools. The Hanafi school normally requires 3 rakats.
Pray all 5 rakats continuously. Sit for Tashahhud only in the final rakat, then end with salam.
Dua Qunoot is a prayer recited while standing during Witr. It asks Allah for guidance, protection, blessings, and forgiveness.
The ruling differs between Islamic schools. Hanafi Muslims treat Qunoot in Witr as required within the prayer. Other schools have different rules about when and how it is read.
Witr may be prayed any time after Isha and before Fajr. Pray it before sleeping if you may not wake up. Pray it after Tahajjud if you are confident that you will wake.
Yes. Witr becomes valid after the Isha prayer.
Yes. If you plan to pray Tahajjud, Witr should normally be your final prayer.
No. If you already prayed Witr and later wake for Tahajjud, pray your Tahajjud in sets of 2 without repeating Witr.
The ruling depends on your school. In the Hanafi school, a person who forgets Qunoot may need to perform Sajdah Sahw. Ask a trusted Hanafi scholar for guidance.
Read a short dua while you learn it. You may ask Allah for forgiveness or read a Quran-based dua such as Rabbana atina fid dunya hasanah.
Witr is not one of the five Fard prayers. The Hanafi school classifies it as Wajib. The other three major Sunni schools generally classify it as a strongly confirmed part of the Sunnah.