Witr
A Question of the Witr Prayer
Question:
salaam, I would firstly like to say that may Allah bless you all, as you are doing a very good job. My question is regarding the witr salah after isha. I understand one can pray 3, 5 or even one rakah, but I would like to ask how it is prayed as i am new to the school and have no one to turn to unfortunately in my area. So how would i pray a 3 rakah witr salah for example. jazak’allah for all you time.
Country: United Kingdom
Answer:
Wa alaykum salam wa rahmatuLlahi wa barakatuHu,
The time of the witr prayer is after isha and before fajr.
The minimal number of rak’ahs for witr is one and the maximum number is eleven. The minimal number for witr’s optimal performance is three, and then the other odd numbers until its maximum.
How Many Rakahs May be Made in Witr?
Question:
Salams, How many rakahs are there in witr?
Answer:
Wa alaykum salam wa rahmatuLlah,
Imam Nawawi states in both Minhaj al-Talibin and Rawdah al-Talibin, that the witr prayer is sunnah. Also, the witr prayer can be performed by one rakah alone, three, five, seven, nine, or eleven, which is the maximum upon the preferred opinion of the madhhab. The second opinion in the madhhab states that its maximum number is thirteen rakah and that it is not permitted to exceed this number. If he does increase beyond the maximum number of rakah, then his witr will be invalid. It is sunnah for one who only makes three rakah that he recites in the first Surah al-Ala, in the second Surah al-Kafirun, and in the third Surah al-Ikhlas, Surah al-Falaq, and Surah al-Nas. (Mughni al-Muhtaj 1/451-52: Rawdah al-Talibin 1/328)
Allah knows best.
Answered by: Sidi Mahmud Adams
Read MoreIs Qunut Made in Witr Throughout the Year or only in the Last Half of Ramadan?
Question:
As salamu alaykum,
I wanted to know if we can recite the Qunut in witr salah everyday. If no then why is it recited only after the 15th of Ramadan for the last 15 days?
Answer:
Wa alaykum al-salam wa rahmatuLlahi wa barakatuHu,
In the Name of Allah the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. And, prayers and salutations are on our master Muhammad, on his people, and all his companions.
The Shafi’is opine that qunut in witr is disliked, except for during the second-half of Ramadan. Imam Nawawi mentioned that the disliked-nature of qunut in other than the second-half is apparent from Imam Shafi’is discussion. (Rawdat al-Talibin 1/330)
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