How to Perform Witr Prayer: A Comprehensive Guide with Detailed Steps
The Witr prayer (Arabic: صلاة الوتر, Ṣalāt al-Witr), is a special and highly recommended prayer in Islam, offered after the Isha (night) prayer and before Fajr (dawn) prayer. It is considered a vital practice, particularly emphasized by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). This comprehensive guide provides detailed instructions on how to perform Witr prayer, its significance, and some common questions.
The Significance of Witr Prayer
The Witr prayer holds a significant place in Islamic worship for several reasons:
- Emphasis by the Prophet (PBUH): The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) consistently performed the Witr prayer and encouraged his followers to do so. He said, “Allah has enjoined upon you a prayer which is Witr, and it is not like the obligatory prayers” (Abu Dawud).
- Seal of the Night: Witr prayer is often considered the “seal” of the night’s prayers, concluding the day’s voluntary worship before sleep.
- Closeness to Allah: Performing Witr prayer is a way to draw closer to Allah and seek His blessings, forgiveness, and guidance. It is a time for personal reflection and sincere supplication.
- Compensation for Missed Prayers: Some scholars suggest that Witr prayer can compensate for any missed Sunnah (voluntary) prayers during the day.
When to Pray Witr
The time for Witr prayer begins after performing the Isha prayer and lasts until the start of Fajr prayer. It is permissible to pray Witr at any time during this period, but it is generally recommended to delay it until the later part of the night, especially if one anticipates waking up for Tahajjud (night prayer). If one fears not waking up, it is better to pray Witr before going to sleep.
How Many Rak’ahs in Witr Prayer?
The number of rak’ahs (units) in Witr prayer can vary. It can be offered in one, three, five, seven, nine, or eleven rak’ahs. The most common and recommended practice is to pray three rak’ahs. While praying one rak’ah is permissible, it is generally considered less virtuous than praying three.
Detailed Steps to Perform Witr Prayer (3 Rak’ahs)
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to perform a 3-rak’ah Witr prayer:
1. Intention (Niyyah)
Begin by making the intention (Niyyah) to pray Witr prayer. The intention is a mental commitment and does not need to be verbalized. Simply intend in your heart to pray Witr for the sake of Allah.
2. First Rak’ah
- Takbirat al-Ihram: Stand facing the Qiblah (direction of the Kaaba in Mecca) and raise your hands to your ears, saying “Allahu Akbar” (Allah is the Greatest). This is the opening Takbir.
- Qiyam (Standing): Place your right hand over your left hand on your chest or just below the navel.
- Du’a al-Istiftah (Opening Supplication): Recite the opening supplication silently. A common supplication is:
سُبْحَانَكَ اللّٰهُمَّ وَبِحَمْدِكَ وَتَبَارَكَ اسْمُكَ وَتَعَالَىٰ جَدُّكَ وَلَا إِلَٰهَ غَيْرُكَ
Subhanakallahumma wa bihamdika wa tabarakasmuka wa ta’ala jadduka wa la ilaha ghayruk.
(Glory be to You, O Allah, and all praise is due to You. Blessed is Your name and exalted is Your majesty. There is no god but You.) - Recitation of Al-Fatiha: Recite Surah Al-Fatiha (the opening chapter of the Quran). It is essential for every rak’ah.
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ
ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
مَـٰلِكِ يَوْمِ ٱلدِّينِ
إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ
ٱهْدِنَا ٱلصِّرَٰطَ ٱلْمُسْتَقِيمَ
صِرَٰطَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ غَيْرِ ٱلْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا ٱلضَّآلِّينَ
Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem. Alhamdulillahi Rabbil ‘Aalameen. Ar-Rahmanir Raheem. Maliki Yawmid-Deen. Iyyaka na’budu wa Iyyaka nasta’een. Ihdinas-siraatal mustaqeem. Siraatal-lazeena an’amta ‘alaihim ghairil-maghdoobi ‘alaihim wa laad-daalleen.
(In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful. [All] praise is [due] to Allah, Lord of the worlds. The Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful. Sovereign of the Day of Recompense. It is You we worship and You we ask for help. Guide us to the straight path. The path of those upon whom You have bestowed favor, not of those who have evoked [Your] anger or of those who are lost.) - Recitation of Another Surah: Recite another Surah (chapter) from the Quran after Al-Fatiha. It is recommended to recite a longer Surah in the first rak’ah. Some commonly recited Surahs include Surah Al-Ikhlas (Qul Huwa Allahu Ahad), Surah Al-Kafirun (Qul Ya Ayyuhal-Kafirun), or Surah Al-Asr (Wal-Asr).
- Ruku’ (Bowing): Say “Allahu Akbar” and bow down, placing your hands on your knees. Keep your back straight and your head level. Recite:
سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْعَظِيمِ
Subhana Rabbiyal ‘Azeem
(Glory be to my Lord, the Most Great) three times or more. - Qiyam after Ruku’ (Standing Up): Stand up straight from the bowing position, raising your hands to your shoulders and saying:
سَمِعَ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ
Sami’ Allahu liman hamidah
(Allah hears those who praise Him). - Tahmid (Praising Allah): While standing, recite:
رَبَّنَا وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ
Rabbana wa lakal-hamd
(Our Lord, and to You is the praise). - Sujud (Prostration): Say “Allahu Akbar” and prostrate, placing your forehead, nose, palms, knees, and toes on the ground. Recite:
سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الأَعْلَى
Subhana Rabbiyal A’la
(Glory be to my Lord, the Most High) three times or more. - Sitting between Two Prostrations: Say “Allahu Akbar” and sit up briefly between the two prostrations. Recite:
اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي، وَارْحَمْنِي، وَاهْدِنِي، وَاجْبُرْنِي، وَعَافِنِي، وَارْزُقْنِي، وَارْفَعْنِي
Allahummaghfirli, warhamni, wahdini, wajburni, wa ‘aafini, warzuqni, warfa’ni
(O Allah, forgive me, have mercy on me, guide me, mend my shortcomings, grant me well-being, provide for me, and raise me in status). This supplication is optional but recommended. - Second Prostration: Say “Allahu Akbar” and prostrate again, repeating the same recitation as in the first prostration.
- Stand Up for Second Rak’ah: Say “Allahu Akbar” and stand up for the second rak’ah.
3. Second Rak’ah
- Recitation of Al-Fatiha: Recite Surah Al-Fatiha.
- Recitation of Another Surah: Recite another Surah from the Quran.
- Ruku’: Perform Ruku’ as in the first rak’ah.
- Qiyam after Ruku’: Stand up straight, raising your hands and reciting the prescribed phrases.
- Sujud: Perform two Sujud as in the first rak’ah, with the brief sitting in between.
- Sitting for Tashahhud: After the second prostration of the second rak’ah, sit for Tashahhud (testification).
4. Tashahhud (Testification)
While sitting in the Tashahhud position, recite the following:
التَّحِيَّاتُ لِلَّهِ وَالصَّلَوَاتُ وَالطَّيِّبَاتُ، السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ، السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْنَا وَعَلَى عِبَادِ اللَّهِ الصَّالِحِينَ، أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ
At-tahiyyatu lillahi was-salawatu wat-tayyibatu, as-salamu ‘alayka ayyuhan-Nabiyyu wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu, as-salamu ‘alayna wa ‘ala ‘ibadillahis-salihin. Ashhadu an la ilaha illallahu wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduhu wa rasuluhu.
(All greetings are for Allah, and all prayers and good things. Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings. Peace be upon us and upon the righteous servants of Allah. I bear witness that there is no god but Allah and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger.)
5. Third Rak’ah
- Stand up for Third Rak’ah: Say “Allahu Akbar” and stand up for the third rak’ah.
- Recitation of Al-Fatiha: Recite Surah Al-Fatiha.
- Recitation of Another Surah: Recite another Surah from the Quran. It is recommended to recite Surah Al-Ikhlas in this rak’ah.
- Ruku’: Perform Ruku’ as in the previous rak’ahs.
- Qiyam after Ruku’: Stand up straight, raising your hands and reciting the prescribed phrases.
- Qunoot (Supplication): After standing up from Ruku’ in the third rak’ah, raise your hands in supplication and recite the Qunoot (supplication). The Qunoot is an optional but highly recommended part of the Witr prayer.
6. Qunoot (Supplication)
The Qunoot is a special supplication recited in the Witr prayer after standing up from Ruku’ in the last rak’ah. There are several versions of the Qunoot. Here is a common one:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا نَسْتَعِينُكَ وَنَسْتَغْفِرُكَ وَنُؤْمِنُ بِكَ وَنَتَوَكَّلُ عَلَيْكَ وَنُثْنِي عَلَيْكَ الخَيْرَ، نَشْكُرُكَ وَلاَ نَكْفُرُكَ وَنَخْلَعُ وَنَتْرُكُ مَنْ يَفْجُرُكَ، اللَّهُمَّ إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَلَكَ نُصَلِّي وَنَسْجُدُ وَإِلَيْكَ نَسْعَى وَنَحْفِدُ، نَرْجُو رَحْمَتَكَ وَنَخْشَى عَذَابَكَ إِنَّ عَذَابَكَ بِالكُفَّارِ مُلْحِقٌ
Allahumma inna nasta’eenuka wa nastaghfiruka wa nu’minu bika wa natawakkalu ‘alayka wa nuthni ‘alaykal khair, nashkuruka wa la nakfuruka wa nakhla’u wa natruku man yafjuruka. Allahumma iyyaka na’budu wa laka nusalli wa nasjudu wa ilayka nas’a wa nahfidu, narju rahmataka wa nakhsha ‘adhabaka inna ‘adhabaka bil kuffari mulhiq.
(O Allah, we seek Your help and ask for Your forgiveness and believe in You and rely on You and praise You in good. We thank You and are not ungrateful to You, and we cast off and forsake those who disobey You. O Allah, You alone do we worship and for You do we pray and prostrate, and to You do we strive and hasten. We hope for Your mercy and fear Your punishment, for Your punishment will surely overtake the disbelievers.)
It is permissible to recite other supplications in the Qunoot, or even to make supplications in your own words in your own language, asking Allah for what you need in this life and the Hereafter.
7. Sujud
- Sujud: After reciting the Qunoot, say “Allahu Akbar” and perform two Sujud as in the previous rak’ahs, with the brief sitting in between.
8. Final Tashahhud and Salam
- Final Tashahhud: After the second prostration of the third rak’ah, sit for the final Tashahhud. Recite the same Tashahhud as in the second rak’ah.
- Salawat (Blessings on the Prophet): After reciting the Tashahhud, recite the Salawat, invoking blessings on the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ، كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ. اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ، كَمَا بَارَكْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ
Allahumma salli ‘ala Muhammadin wa ‘ala aali Muhammad, kama sallaita ‘ala Ibrahima wa ‘ala aali Ibrahima, innaka hamidun majeed. Allahumma barik ‘ala Muhammadin wa ‘ala aali Muhammad, kama barakta ‘ala Ibrahima wa ‘ala aali Ibrahima, innaka hamidun majeed.
(O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad, as You sent blessings upon Abraham and upon the family of Abraham; indeed, You are Praiseworthy and Glorious. O Allah, bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as You blessed Abraham and the family of Abraham; indeed, You are Praiseworthy and Glorious.) - Du’a (Supplication): It is recommended to make a Du’a (supplication) before ending the prayer. You can ask Allah for anything you need in this life and the Hereafter.
- Salam: Turn your head to the right, saying:
السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ
As-salamu alaykum wa rahmatullah
(Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah).
Then turn your head to the left and repeat the same phrase.
The Witr prayer is now complete.
Praying Witr with Fewer or More Rak’ahs
One Rak’ah Witr:
If praying only one rak’ah, simply perform one rak’ah as described above, reciting Al-Fatiha and another Surah, performing Ruku’, two Sujud, and then sitting for Tashahhud, Salawat, Du’a, and finally, the Salam.
More than Three Rak’ahs:
If praying more than three rak’ahs (e.g., five, seven, nine, or eleven), you can perform the additional rak’ahs in sets of two, followed by a final rak’ah to make the Witr. For example, for five rak’ahs, you can pray two rak’ahs, then another two rak’ahs, and finally one rak’ah to complete the Witr. After every two rak’ahs, perform the Tashahhud and Salawat, but do not make the Salam until the very end.
Another method for praying five rak’ahs is to pray all five rak’ahs together without sitting after every two rak’ahs. In this method you sit only in the last (fifth) rak’ah for Tashahhud, Salawat, Du’a, and Salam.
Common Questions About Witr Prayer
- Can I make up missed Witr prayers?
Yes, it is permissible to make up missed Witr prayers. It is recommended to pray them as soon as possible. - Is Qunoot necessary in Witr prayer?
Qunoot is highly recommended but not obligatory. If you forget to recite it, your prayer is still valid. However, it is a great Sunnah to observe. - Can I pray Witr behind an Imam who prays a different number of rak’ahs?
Yes, you can follow the Imam even if he prays a different number of rak’ahs. Complete your Witr according to your preference after the Imam finishes his prayer. - What if I forget to recite a Surah after Al-Fatiha?
If you forget to recite a Surah after Al-Fatiha, your prayer is still valid, but it is recommended to perform Sujud al-Sahw (prostration of forgetfulness) at the end of the prayer. - Is there a specific time that is best for praying Witr?
While the time for Witr is from after Isha until before Fajr, the last third of the night is considered the most virtuous time, if one is able to wake up.
Conclusion
The Witr prayer is a beautiful and rewarding act of worship that brings us closer to Allah. By following these detailed steps and understanding its significance, we can strive to make Witr prayer a regular part of our daily lives. May Allah accept our prayers and grant us His blessings.