Witr prayer
Witr is the odd-numbered prayer prayed after Isha at night. On this site, which follows a Hanafi presentation, Witr is 3 rakats and part of the regular night routine.
Most people only need three answers here: how many rakats, when to pray it, and whether to place it before or after Tahajjud.
How many rakats?
This site uses the common Hanafi presentation: 3 rakats with one salam at the end. The first two rakats look like a normal two-rakat prayer, then the third completes Witr.
When is it prayed?
After Isha and before Fajr. If you plan to wake for Tahajjud, many people leave Witr until the end of the night so it is the last prayer they offer.
How it fits into your night
Witr is separate from Tahajjud. If you pray Tahajjud, you can finish with Witr. If you miss Witr, make it up later and follow a trusted local teacher for the exact method.
Common questions
- Is Witr part of Isha?
- It is prayed after Isha, but it is a separate prayer. The main table shows it next to Isha because that is when it belongs in the night routine.
- Should I pray Witr before or after Tahajjud?
- If you know you will wake for Tahajjud, many people leave Witr until the end of the night. If you may not wake up, pray Witr after Isha.
- How many rakats should a beginner pray here?
- On this site, the simple answer is 3 rakats in the Hanafi presentation. Learn the exact local method from a teacher if you need more detail.
- What if I miss Witr?
- Do not ignore it. Make it up later and ask a trusted teacher if you need the exact ruling for your situation.
Related pages
Sources
“Witr is a duty (Haqq) upon every Muslim, so whoever wishes to pray five rak'ahs of Witr may do so, and whoever wishes to pray three may do so, and whoever wishes to pray one may do so.”
“And from [part of] the night, pray with it as additional [worship] for you; it is expected that your Lord will resurrect you to a praised station.”