This blog focusses on how to offer witr namaz. Witr is a salat (Islamic prayer) performed after the night-time prayer known as Isha or before the dawn prayer known as Fajr. The precise meaning of the word “witr” is “choice of a circle.” If the whole day is considered to be as a circle through which all the prayers are located then the “maghrib salat” is offered when the sun goes down. The Muslim person who does the witr prayer in the Islamic religion will always feel strong to face the urge in the world. It is believed that Allah will hear all his dua. Allah always gives guidance to His people who carry out his commands and do everything loved by Him.
What is Witr prayer?
Witr prayer or Witr Salaat is a voluntary night prayer. It is said between Isha and Fajr and consists of odd-numbered rakahs, could be 3, 5, or 7. The Hadith mentions Witr many times, highlighting that it is a recommended prayer that yields Allah’s love, blessings, and rewards. The prayer is said along with dua qunoot.
Witr Prayer Dua
How many rakats are there in Witr?
As mentioned above, Witr prayer must consist of odd-numbered rakats. However, there is no one right way of offering Witr Salat since the Prophet performed it differently sometimes. Commonly, Muslims pray three rakats for Witr, which can be completed in any of the following ways:
- Pray 3 rakat without sitting for tashadud in the second rakat.
- Pray 2 rakat for Witr with tashadud and tasleem. Then complete the last rakat with tashadud and tasleem.
- Pray five, seven, and even nine rakats in one salat and not perform taslim in between, just like the Prophet did.
Witr Prayer Dua e Qunoot in Arabic
اللَّهُمَّ اهْدِنِي فِيمَنْ هَدَيْتَ وَعَافِنِي فِيمَنْ عَافَيْتَ وَتَوَلَّنِي فِيمَنْ تَوَلَّيْتَ وَبَارِكْ لِي فِيمَا أَعْطَيْتَ وَقِنِي شَرَّ مَا قَضَيْتَ فَإِنَّكَ تَقْضِي وَلاَ يُقْضَى عَلَيْكَ وَإِنَّهُ لاَ يَذِلُّ مَنْ وَالَيْتَ تَبَارَكْتَ رَبَّنَا وَتَعَالَيْتَ
Dua e Qunoot Transliteration
Allahumma ihdini feeman hadayt, wa a’fini fiman afait, wa tawallani fiman tawallait, wa barik Li fima atait, wa qini sharra ma qadait, fa Innaka taqdi wa la yuqda Alaik, wa innahu la yadhillu man walait, tabarakta Rabbana wa ta’alait.
Dua e Qunoot Translation
O Allah guide me among those You have guided, pardon me among those You have pardoned, befriend me among those You have befriended, bless me in what You have granted, and save me from the evil that You decreed. Indeed You decree, and none can pass decree, and none can pass decree upon You, indeed he is not humiliated whom You have befriended, blessed are You our Lord and Exalted.
How to offer Witr Namaz?
Witr prayers are an important part of the Islamic religion. Unlike the five daily mandatory prayers, Witr prayer is not compulsory but is highly suggested and is usually recited in the night-time. There are many options to perform a Witr prayer. As it is the last prayer of the day, the Prophet gives an option of deciding how many prayer units (rak’ah) a Muslim person can perform and when will he pray during the night. The time period for Witr namaz is between the night-time prayer called Isha and the Fajr prayer.
While understanding how to offer Witr Namaz, one should know that it is compulsory to perform at least one rak’ah. However, a Muslim person can also choose to have a more odd number of rak’ah recited such as three, five or nine. It is very important to have good intentions while praying to Allah. While offering the prayer a person should start the rak’ah by standing up straight. Then bow forward and do the recitation silently. After bowing, one needs to prostrate by putting the forehead on the floor and hands on either side. A person should make sure that the elbows are off the floor and should say Subhana Rabil Azeem (glory to my lord the mighty).
It is of utmost importance to keep in mind that when someone is performing more than a single rak’ah, the person is advised to break it into two sets of rak’ah, with the last rak’ah being the person’s witr. For instance, if you are performing three rakats, then you should make salam after every two rakats, and close with one rakat. Another way of performing is to perform continuously with one tashahhud and one salam. One can pray 5,7 or 9 rak’ahs with one tashahhud in the end and salam.
Significance of Witr Namaz
Witr prayer is emphasized by sunnah. While there is no penalty for skipping this prayer, the person is rewarded greatly by Allah. Make sure to offer Witr namaz in a clean place. Since there is an option of performing one rak’ah, it is advised that a Muslim person should be able to perform Witr even while traveling.
In Islam, it is believed that Allah will hear all his dua while performing the prayer. Also, it is compulsory for males to wear pants that go all the way down to ankles whereas women should wear clothes that cover their entire body except for the face and hands. This prayer seems to be very simple but is very complicated.
It is said that Witr prayer is witnessed by angels as it takes place at the end of the night. These angels bring us blessings while we are praying to Allah. The dua can be granted by Allah if it is performed whole-heartedly.
Hadiths about Witr Salat
Witr prayer is also known as additional prayer. The Messenger of Allah never missed witr during his life and any conditions. There are various hadiths present for these Witr Namaz that are as follows:
- Ibn Umar narrated that Allah’s Apostle replied, “The night prayer is recited as two Rakat followed by two Rakat and so on. If a Muslim is afraid of approaching dawn, then he should pray one Raka and this will be a Witr for all Rakat which he has prayed before.”
- ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar narrated that the Prophet said, “Night prayer is offered as two Rakat followed by two Rakat and so on, and if you want to finish it, pray only one Raka, which will be Witr for all the previous Rakat.”
- Al-Qasim said, “Since we attained the age of puberty, we have seen some people offering a three-Rakat prayer as Witr and all that is permissible. I hope there will be no harm in it.”
- ‘Aisha narrated that Allah’s Apostle used to pray eleven Rakat at night and that was his night prayer and each of his prostrations lasted for a period enough for one of you to recite fifty verses before Allah’s Apostle raised his head. He also used to pray two rakat before the (compulsory) Fajr prayer and then lie down on his right side till the Muadh-dhin came to him for the prayer.
- ‘Aisha narrated that Allah’s Apostle offered Witr prayer at different nights at various hours extending (from the ‘Isha’ prayer) up to the last hour of the night.
- ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar narrated that the Prophet said “Makes your last prayer at night.”
- Aisha narrated that the Prophet used to offer his night prayer while I was sleeping across in his bed. Whenever he intended to offer the Witr prayer, he used to wake me up and I would offer the Witr prayer too.
- Ibn Umar narrated that the Prophet used to offer (Nawafil) prayers on his Rahila (mount) facing its direction by signals, but not the compulsory prayer. He also used to pray Witr on his (mount) Rahila.
Suggested Read: 4 Types Of Prayers In Islam: Fard, Wajib, Sunnah, And Nafl
Benefits of offering Witr Namaz
- Witr Namaz is among top treasures that a Muslim can have. In a Haidth Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) told that pefroming Witr Namaz is more previous than highest of treasures a Muslim can have. Therefore, due to the merits of performing Witr Namaz, many Muslims don’t miss out on the opportunity to offer Witr namaz.
- Witr namaz is among the essential Sunnah’s in Islam. From Abu Hurairah radiyallahu anhu, he said, “My beloved (Prophet Muhammad) sallallahu alayhi wa sallam has instructed me three things: fasting three days every month, two rakats in Duha prayer, and praying Witr before I go to sleep.”
- Allah holds people close who perform Witr Namaz. As Witr Namaz is offered late in the day, the prayer is highly praised by Allah. He loves the individual who performs Witr Namaz as a ritual.
Witr Namaz is an important prayer for Muslims and must be performed with utmost honesty and devotion to the Almighty. Hence it is important to follow the steps of how to offer Witr Namaz.
Suggested Read: Salatul Hajat, The Prayer Of Need: Dua And How To Perform
Witr Salat FAQs
What is the appropriate time to offer Witr Prayer?
The Witr prayer is valid if performed anytime between the performance of Isha and entering the Fajr prayer.
Can you pray to Witr namaz twice?
A Muslim cannot perform two Witr prayers in one night.
What happens if you miss Witr prayer?
According to Imam Malik and Imam Ahmad, a missed Witr prayer can be made up after Fajr. However, according to the Shafi’, it can be made up at any time of the day or night.
Why is Witr prayer important?
Witr prayer is considered important as it is one of the greatest acts of worship that draws one closer to Allah.
Is Witr prayer mandatory?
According to Ali bin Abu Talib, witr prayer is not an obligatory prayer but as the Prophet used to perform the witr prayer, it is advised that his followers perform it too.
How many Rakats are there in Witr namaz?
Witr Namaz are offered in odd numbers like 5,7, or 9 rakats.
What are the benefits of offering Witr namaz?
Offering Witr namaz helps in getting close to Allah.
