Witr is a special night prayer prayed in odd numbers (1, 3, 5, 7, etc.) after ‘Isha and before Fajr, and it is one of the strongest emphasized Sunnah prayers in Islam.

What is Witr and when is it prayed?

  • Witr literally means “odd” and is an odd-numbered prayer that closes your night prayers.
  • You can pray it any time after ‘Isha until the adhan of Fajr.
  • Many people pray it right after ‘Isha, others delay it to the last third of the night when making extra night prayers (qiyam/tahajjud).

A common simple practice today: pray your 4 rak‘ahs of ‘Isha, then pray 2 rak‘ahs Sunnah, then end with 3 rak‘ahs Witr before sleeping.

How many rak‘ahs in Witr?

Scholars agree that Witr must be an odd number of rak‘ahs.

Common options:

  • 1 rak‘ah (minimum).
  • 3 rak‘ahs (most common).
  • 5, 7, 9, 11 rak‘ahs (usually for those who pray long night prayers).

The Prophet ﷺ sometimes prayed night prayers in pairs and then finished with one rak‘ah to make them odd.

Two simple ways to pray 3‑rak‘ah Witr

Here are the two most widely taught methods, both based on authentic narrations and used by scholars.

Method 1: 2 + 1 (the easiest beginner way)

You pray: 2 rak‘ahs + tasleem, then 1 rak‘ah + tasleem.

  1. First 2 rak‘ahs (like normal Sunnah):
    • Make intention in your heart: “I intend to pray 2 rak‘ahs of Witr for Allah.”
    • Say takbir: “Allahu Akbar.”
    • Recite Du‘a al-Istiftah (opening dua) if you know it (optional).
    • Recite Surah al-Fatihah, then another surah (any short surah).
 * Complete the rak‘ah as usual: ruku‘, sujud, second rak‘ah.
 * After the second rak‘ah, sit for tashahhud and end with tasleem: “Assalamu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullah” to the right and left.
  1. Then pray 1 rak‘ah alone:
    • Make intention: “I intend to pray 1 rak‘ah of Witr for Allah.”
    • Say “Allahu Akbar,” recite al-Fatihah and another surah.
    • Complete ruku‘ and sujud.
    • Sit for tashahhud.
    • Say tasleem.

This way is especially clear for beginners and is supported by the hadith “The Witr prayer is offered in units of two raka‘at; if you fear dawn, conclude with a single rak‘ah.”

Method 2: 3 together with one final sitting

You pray 3 rak‘ahs straight, with only one tashahhud and tasleem at the end.

  1. Make intention for 3 rak‘ahs of Witr.
  2. Pray the first rak‘ah as usual, then stand for the second without sitting for tashahhud.
  1. Pray the second rak‘ah as usual, then stand for the third.
  1. In the third rak‘ah, pray as normal, then sit for tashahhud at the end and make tasleem.

Scholars mention that the Prophet ﷺ sometimes prayed 3 Witr like this, not sitting except in the last rak‘ah.

Recommended surahs to recite in Witr

These are recommended, not mandatory, but they are a beautiful Sunnah to follow.

For 3‑rak‘ah Witr:

  • 1st rak‘ah after al-Fatihah: Surah al-A‘la (87).
  • 2nd rak‘ah: Surah al-Kafirun (109).
  • 3rd rak‘ah: Surah al-Ikhlas (112); some traditions and scholars add al-Falaq (113) and an-Nas (114) in the last rak‘ah as well.

If you don’t know these surahs yet, recite any short surahs you know; the main thing is sincerity and khushu‘.

Du‘a al-Qunūt in Witr

Many Muslims read a special dua in Witr called Du‘a al-Qunūt.

When to make Qunūt

  • Usually in the last rak‘ah , after rising from ruku‘ (“Sami‘a Allahu liman hamidah, Rabbana wa lakal hamd”).
  • Some scholars allow it before ruku‘ while still standing.

How to do it (simple version)

  1. In the last rak‘ah, after ruku‘ and saying “Rabbana wa lakal hamd”, raise your hands as in du‘a.
  1. Recite a Qunūt dua you know (in Arabic if possible); a commonly transmitted version asks Allah for guidance, piety, chastity, and sufficiency.
  1. If you don’t know any Arabic Qunūt by heart yet, you can make dua in your own language according to many scholars, especially while learning.
  1. Finish the du‘a by saying “Allahu Akbar” and then go to sujud as normal, complete tashahhud and tasleem.

Simple 1‑rak‘ah Witr (for busy or tired nights)

If you are exhausted or afraid you might miss Fajr time, you can pray just one rak‘ah of Witr.

  1. Make intention for 1 rak‘ah Witr.
  2. Pray it like a standard rak‘ah: al-Fatihah + any surah, ruku‘, sujud.
  3. You may add Qunūt in this one rak‘ah (after ruku‘) if you like.
  1. Sit for tashahhud and end with tasleem.

The Prophet ﷺ taught that even one rak‘ah of Witr is accepted and completes your night with an odd-numbered prayer.

Different school views in brief

Muslims follow different madhhabs (schools), and each has slight differences in how Witr is classified and prayed.

[10] [10] [6] [9][6] [4][6] [4][6] [1][3] [3][1]
School Ruling of Witr Common way to pray
Hanafi Consider Witr **wājib** (stronger than Sunnah).3 rak‘ahs with one tasleem, Qunūt in the final rak‘ah (usually before ruku‘).
Shafi‘i Emphasized Sunnah.Often 1 or 3 rak‘ahs, Qunūt in last rak‘ah of Witr especially in Ramadan.
Maliki Emphasized Sunnah.Witr often as 1 rak‘ah after night prayers, Qunūt mainly in second half of Ramadan.
Hanbali Emphasized Sunnah.Pray night in 2s then 1 Witr; Qunūt sometimes in last rak‘ah especially in Ramadan.
Whichever way you follow, the key is consistency and following a reliable local imam or scholar.

Step‑by‑step example: 3‑rak‘ah Witr tonight

Here’s a practical “script” you can use immediately (2 + 1 style):

  1. Pray ‘Isha as normal.
  2. After you’re done, stand for 2 rak‘ahs with intention of Sunnah or Witr (depending on your school).
  3. In the first rak‘ah, recite al-Fatihah + al-A‘la if you know it; second rak‘ah, al-Fatihah + al-Kafirun (or any other surahs).
  1. Tasleem after the second rak‘ah.
  2. Stand for 1 rak‘ah Witr: recite al-Fatihah + al-Ikhlas (and optionally al-Falaq and an-Nas).
  1. After ruku‘ and “Rabbana wa lakal hamd”, raise your hands and read Qunūt (or make a simple dua in your language).
  2. Complete sujud, sit for tashahhud, end with tasleem.

If you’re unsure, keep it very simple: 1 rak‘ah, al-Fatihah + any surah, heartfelt dua, and tasleem. That already counts as Witr and is beloved to Allah.

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