The Prophet (ﷺ)said:
إِنَّ اللَّهَ وِتْرٌ يُحِبُّ الْوِتْرَ فَأَوْتِرُوا يَا أَهْلَ الْقُرْآنِ
“Indeed, Allah is Witr (One) and He loves Witr. So perform Witr prayer, O people of the Quran.”
(سنن أبي داود: 1416)
This article is a step-by-step manual on how to do Witr Prayer, its advantages, and how to say Dua-e-Qunoot.
What is Witr Prayer?
The name Witr (وتر) is an Arabic term used to define odd because of the odd number of units of prayer it composes. It is Sunnah Mu’akkadah for most people to perform Witr Prayer, while in the Hanafi school, it is obligatory, or Wajib. It is an odd-numbered prayer, considered the concluding prayer of the day. Its importance is highlighted in numerous hadiths of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ).
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
الْوِتْرُ حَقٌّ فَمَنْ لَمْ يُوتِرْ فَلَيْسَ مِنَّا
“Witr is a duty, and whoever does not perform Witr is not one of us.”
(مسند أحمد: 6832)
This article provides a detailed guide on how to perform Witr Prayer, its spiritual benefits, and the recitation of Dua-e-Qunoot.
How to Perform Witr Prayer
1. Rak’ahs in Witr Prayer
Witr prayer is prayed with an odd number of rakat, probably one, three, five, or more. The most widespread practice is to observe three rak’ahs of prayer, a special formula for which is also given in the work.
2. Prayer Instruction of Three Rak’ah
First Rak’ah:
- Start it with the Niyyah of a person for Witr Prayer, then.
- To begin the prayer, say Allahu Akbar.
- This is very significant, and to begin with, let’s recite Surah Al-Fatiha (The Opening).
- In its wake, you may continue with any particular Surah or verses of the holy Quran, for instance, Surah Al-Ikhlas (112).
- Perform Ruku as in Salah and do Sujood in this Rakat as done in Salah.
Second Rak’ah:
- Stand up for the second rak’ah and recite Surah Al-Fatiha.
- Follow it with another Surah, such as Surah Al-Falaq (Chapter 113).
- Complete Ruku and Sujood.
- After the second Sujood, sit and recite Tashahhud (At-Tahiyyat) up to Ashhadu an La Ilaha Illallah.
Third Rak’ah:
- Stand for the third rak’ah.
- Recite Surah Al-Fatiha and another Surah, such as Surah An-Nas (Chapter 114).
- Before going into Ruku, raise your hands and recite Dua-e-Qunoot.
Dua-e-Qunoot
Dua-e-Qunoot is obligatory for Witr Prayer and is to be recited in the third rak’ah immediately after the recitation of the Quran but before Ruku.
Here is the Arabic text of the Dua-e-Qunoot:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا نَسْتَعِينُكَ وَنَسْتَغْفِرُكَ وَنُثْنِي عَلَيْكَ الْخَيْرَ كُلَّهُ وَنَشْكُرُكَ وَلَا نَكْفُرُكَ وَنَخْلَعُ وَنَتْرُكُ مَنْ يَفْجُرُكَ اللَّهُمَّ إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَلَكَ نُصَلِّي وَنَسْجُدُ وَإِلَيْكَ نَسْعَى وَنَحْفِدُ وَنَرْجُو رَحْمَتَكَ وَنَخْشَىٰ عَذَابَكَ إِنَّ عَذَابَكَ بِالْكُفَّارِ مُلْحَقٌ
Translation of Dua e Qunoot
‘O Allah, I seek Your assistance and for Your forgiveness’. We trust in You and rely on You and bless You in the highest way. We bless You and we are not ingrate to You and we reject and depart from anyone who rebels against You.
Oh Allah, for us You are the only object of our prostration to andsumpthing only to You. Through You, we labor and we run, and we look forward to Your compassion; and we avoid Your anger. Indeed Your torment will surely befall the disbelievers.”
Completing Witr Prayer
- Then, Ruku and Sujood’s remaining regular procedures will be observed after Dua-e-Qunoot.
- Sit down for the last Tashahhud, saying the complete At-Tahiyyat, Durood, and the prayers.
- Parting with the prayer, you should say “Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullah” to both sides.
Timing of Witr Prayer
The Witr Prayer can be performed:
- Immediately after Isha Prayer: Ideal for people who may not wake up for Tahajjud later.
- After Tahajjud Prayer: The most virtuous time is in the last part of the night before Fajr.
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
اجعلوا آخر صلاتكم بالليل وترا
“Make Witr your last prayer at night.”
(صحيح البخاري: 998)
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Conclusion
‘Witr Prayer is a beautiful prayer that one prays at night as a way of asking for Allah’s forgiveness as prayers and supplications are said. Praying in the way demonstrated by the Prophet (ﷺ) in performing this prayer increases people’s relationship with Allah and spiritual life.
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