Q&A for How to Perform Witr Prayer

The Prophet said, “Whoever forgets a prayer, let him offer it as soon as he remembers, for there is no expiation for it other than that.” You should perform the missed prayer as you normally would. Keep in mind that although you make up the prayer, you should still repent and do good deeds to compensate for the delay.

Yes, it is Sunnah to raise your hands while reciting the Qunoot. This practice is supported by an authentic report from 'Umar, as narrated by Al-Bayhaqi.

Dua Qunoot is the supplication recited in the final rak'ah of the Witr prayer. After reading Surah Fatiha and another surah, you recite Dua Qunoot. If you do not know it, you may recite any other supplication from the Qur'an.

Tahajud is performed during the last third of the night and is not obligatory, though it is recommended. You can pray Witr before dawn, as practiced by the Prophet (peace be upon him).

Yes, you can recite another dua from the Qur'an if you do not know Dua al Qunoot. However, it is recommended to learn Dua al Qunoot as it is part of the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him).

Hanafi scholars state that it is permissible for Hanafis to pray Witr behind a Shafi imam, even if the prayer format differs, such as praying two units followed by one instead of three consecutive units.

According to Imam Abu Haneefah, the Witr prayer consists of three rak'ahs with two tashahhuds and one tasleem; the Qunoot is recited before the ruku in the final rak'ah. Other scholars suggest performing two rak'ahs, followed by tasleem, then one rak'ah. The method may vary based on your madhab, and Allah knows best.

You should recite the du'a qunoot in the final rak'ah of the Witr prayer. If you are performing Witr as 2 + 2 + 1, recite the qunoot in the last single rak'ah.

Yes, you can recite Quranic verses during your monthly period without physically touching the Quran.

Tahajjud Salah is considered a Nafl prayer, which is highly recommended but not obligatory. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) consistently performed Tahajjud throughout his life, and it is regarded as the most significant Nafl prayer after the Fard (obligatory) prayers. Typically, the Prophet offered eight rakats of Tahajjud.

The Witr prayer is typically performed silently. However, during Ramadan, it is recited aloud when prayed in congregation after the Taraweeh prayers.

Tahajjud is a sunnah prayer performed in the last third of the night. Witr is a wajib prayer offered after the Isha prayer. Taraweeh is a sunnah prayer performed during the month of Ramadan.

Women should maintain modesty by keeping their body parts close during prayer and ensuring their head is covered, with only the face, hands, and feet uncovered. In congregational prayer, women can lead only other women and should stand in the front row with the congregation rather than separately.

You should try to learn the Dua Qunoot as it's relatively short, but if you're unable to, you can recite Surah Ikhlas three times instead.

Yes, Witr prayer is like regular prayers, but Dua Qunoot is included in the final rak'ah, and you can choose from different supplications that are from the Sunnah.

There is some difference of opinion regarding the status of the Witr prayer. However, it is agreed that the Witr prayer is highly beneficial and was regularly performed by the Prophet. Imam Shafi'i and Imam Malik classify it as Sunnah Mu'akkadah (strongly recommended), while Imam Abu Haneefah considers it obligatory.

The Witr prayer is considered a confirmed sunnah (sunnah mu'akkadah), meaning it is strongly recommended but not obligatory. The Prophet encouraged its performance, so it is beneficial to pray it regularly. However, if you miss it occasionally, most scholars agree that there is no blame.

No, you should not perform Witr twice in one night, as it is intended to make your total number of night prayers odd. Authentic Hadiths state that you cannot perform Witr more than once in a single night.

Yes, you should recite Qunoot, but traditionally, Witr prayer is performed with three rak'ahs.

These are the two Sunnah Rak'ahs offered before the Fajr prayer. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "The two Rak’ahs of Fajr are better than the world and what is in it."

Your prayer is valid with just Surah Al-Fatihah, but it is preferred to recite a short Surah afterward.

It is recommended to pray the Witr prayer after the Tahajjud prayer, even though you can pray it during the time of Tahajjud. Witr is considered obligatory, while Tahajjud is voluntary but highly rewarding.

Yes, it is mandatory to recite at least three verses from another surah in each rakat after reciting Surah Fatiha.

Your eyes should always be on the place where your head will rest when you prostrate.

You should recite the Qunoot after rising from the ruku and before going down for sujood.

The Dua Qunoot is Sunnah. The Prophet occasionally recited it, and at other times did not, so you also have the option to include it or not.

You don't need to recite Dua Qunoot for Witr prayer. You can choose another dua or omit it entirely, as the Prophet sometimes included it in Witr and sometimes did not.

In the Isha prayer, after the 4 fard and 2 sunnah rakats, perform the 3 witr wajib rakats. In the third rakat of witr, recite Fatiha and another surah, then raise your hands for the takbeer (Allahu Akbar), lower them, and recite the dua Qunut. After reciting the dua Qunut, proceed with the rest of the Salah as usual by going into ruku.

According to the Hanafi school of thought, you should not read from a book during salah. If you don't know Dua-e-Qunoot, you can recite "Allaa-hum-ma rab-ba-naa aa-ti-naa fid-dun-yaa ha-sa-na-taw-wa fil aa-khi-ra-ti ha-sa-na-taw-wa qi-naa 'a-zhaa-ban-naar" or repeat "Allaa-hum-magh-fir-lee" and "Yaa-rab-bi" three times. Meanwhile, try to learn Dua-e-Qunoot as soon as possible.

Yes, you should recite the Durood after the Atahiyat and giving Shahadah. After that, you can make dua if you wish before concluding with Salaam.