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 pray the prayer how you normally would. Remember that by making the prayer up, you are not completely sin-free because you have delayed the prayer, so you must still repent and do good deeds to make up for the sin.

Yes, it is sunnah to raise the hands while reciting the qunoot. Raising the hands is mentioned in a saheeh report from ‘Umar, as was narrated by al-Bayhaqi.

Dua Qunoot is the du'a read in the final rak'ah of witr. In the final rak'ah after reading Surah Fatiha and a surah, you do not need to read Surah Fatiha or another surah again. You just recite Dua Qunoot. If you don't know that, you should read any du'a from the Qur'an.

Tahajud is prayed during the last third of the night. It is not compulsory to wake up for Tahajud, although it is recommended. You can read Witr before dawn approaches, as was the practice of the Prophet (peace be upon him).

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

Hanafi scholars have stated that it is permitted for Hanafis to pray Witr behind Shafis even if it differs from the Hanafi way of praying two plus one instead of three.

According to Imam Abu Haneefah, Witr is prayed as three rak'ah with two tashahhud and one tasleem; the Qunoot is prayed before the ruku in the final rak'ah. The other scholars say that it should be read as two rak'ah, then tasleem, and then one rak'ah. So there is some difference of opinion depending on what madhab you follow. And Allah knows best.

You would read the qunoot in the final witr. You would read 2 + 2 + 1, with the qunoot in the final rak'ah.

Yes, you can recite Quran in this situation without touching the verses of the Quran.

Tahajjud Salah (late-night Nafl prayers) is considered to be the most important among the Nafl Salah (extra obligatory prayers). The Messenger of Allah, Muhammad S, always offered Tahajjud Salah throughout his life. Abu Hurayrah R narrated that he had heard the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad S, say that Tahajjud Salah is the most important Salah after the Fard Salah (compulsory prayers). Prophet Mohamad [s.a.w] used to offer eight rakaah.

It is performed silently. However, during Ramadaan, Witr salah is read loudly as a congregation after the rakats of Taraweeh.

Tahajjud is the sunnah prayer in the last third part of the night. Witr is the wajib prayer of isha prayer. Traweeh is the sunnah prayer during the month of Ramadaan.

Women should keep their body parts close to themselves, as this is more modest. Her head must be covered, and only her face, hands, and feet should be uncovered. As for congregational prayer, women can only lead a congregation with women, and the imamah should stand in the front row, i.e. with the other women, instead of being alone in a separate row as is the custom.

Try your best to learn the dua as it is not that long, but if you can't, then you can read surah ikhlas three times instead.

Yes. Witr salah is the exact same as normal prayers, except Dua Qunoot (there are different du'as you can read; all are from the sunnah) is added in the final rak'ah.

There is some difference of opinion with regards to the status of the Witr prayer. However, what is agreed upon is that the Witr prayer is a very beneficial prayer that was regularly performed by the Prophet. Imam Shafi'i and Imam Malik say that it is Sunnah Mua'kaddah, while Imam Abu Haneefah says that it is obligatory.

It is sunnah mu'akkadah (confirmed sunnah), but it has been enjoined by the Prophet in several occasions, so you should try your best to pray it. If you pray it on some days, and not on other days, there is no blame for that, according to most scholars.

No. Witr prayer is a prayer that makes your whole prayer odd. If you pray witr again, then your prayer becomes even and the whole purpose of witr is gone, i.e. to make your night prayer odd. It is mentioned in Authentic Ahadees that there are no two witr in the same night.

Yes, but it is three vitr that you have to read, not one.

You can; not with Isha, but as soon as you have finished Isha.

Witr is a 3-rakaat prayer after Isha salat. It is kind of like praying Maghrib salaat, but there's one different aspect: when you are standing in the last rakaat of Witr, recite 'Surah Fatiha' and 'Surah Ikhlas'. After that, raise your hands to your ears and say "Allahu Akbar" (just like the way you start salaat). After that, rest your hands just like you do when you are standing in prayer (arms crossed, right hand over left, both above the navel). Recite Dua Qunoot, then go into sujood (when you are bowing down while standing) and complete the rest of the Witr salaat.

Yes, this is permissible if you do not know Dua Qunoot by heart. Any other dua from the Qur'an or sunnah is allowed.

There are two ways. Recite surah fatiha and another surah. Then you can either (A) raise your hands, say Allahu Akbar, recite Dua Qunoot, then go into ruku and complete the rak'ah as normal, or (B) go into ruku, then stand up, raise your hands and read Dua Qunoot, then go into sajdah and complete the rak'ah as normal.

Yes, you may give zakat, one of the 5 pillars of Islam, to anyone. It is better to give the money to someone who needs it, though.

Yes, Durood is to be recited after reading Athahiyat and giving Shahadah. After that you can make dua if you want before Salaam.

As per Hanafi school of thought, one must not read from a book during the salah. One who does not know the Dua-e-Qunoot may 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, say thrice "Allaa-hum-magh-fir-lee" and "Yaa-rab-bi". In the meantime, try to learn dua-e-Qunoot quickly.

When you are doing Isha prayer, there is 4 fardh, 2 sunnah, and then 3 witr wajib rakats. On the third rakat of the 3 witr wajib you say Fatiha and another surah as normal, then you raise your hands for the takbeer (Allahu Akbar) and put them back down to the same position and recite dua qunoot. After dua qunoot you continue the rest of the Salah normally by going down to ruku, etc.

No, it is a dua. You can recite another dua instead or nothing at all. Dua Qunoot is not required for witer prayer. The Prophet sometimes prayed it in witr and sometimes he didn't.

It is Sunnah. The Prophet prayed it sometimes and sometimes he didn't, so you can do the same.

You can recite it after you come up from the ruku, and before going down for sujood.