What Is Witr Prayer And How Is It Performed?

What is witr prayer and how is it performed?

Witr is a wajib prayer that is established after the ‘isha prayer and consists of three rakats according to Hanafis. Fatiha and a surah or a few verses are recited in each rakat of witr prayer . One recites only al-Tahiyyat while sitting at the end of the second rakat. In the third rakat, s/he recites takbir by raising hands after completing qiraat (reciting Fatiha and a surah or a few verses after it) and recites supplications of Qunut. This wajib prayer may be established any time after establishing ‘isha prayer until the beginning of fajr’s time. Because Prophet Muhammad (saw) said, “Allah the Exalted has given you an extra prayer which is better for you then the red camels (i.e. high breed camels). This is the witr which Allah has appointed for you between the night prayer and the daybreak.” (Abu Dawud, Witr, 1; Tirmidhi, Salat, 220; Ibn al-Humam, Fath, I, 426). It is bountiful to establish witr prayer at the end of night some time before the fajr time, if one can wake up in that time (Muslim, Salat al-Musafirin 162; Tirmidhi, Salat, 222). However, it is appropriate for those who worry about not being able to wake up in that time to establish it before sleeping. It is wajib to establish qada for the missed witr prayers (Ibn al-Humam, Fath, I, 426).

According to other schools, establishing witr prayer is sunnah (Ibn Qudamah, al-Mughni, II, 591-594).

Source: Presidency Of Religious Affairs The Turkey, High Board of Religious Affairs FATWA