Witr Prayer

Q. Are Witr prayers waajib or sunnah?

A. Witr is waajib. It is emphasized as much as fard prayers. If one misses it, one must say its qadaa (makeup) afterwards. It is most sinful to leave it without an excuse or knowingly.

Q. How many rak’aat are there in Witr prayer?

A. Three rak’aat. After two rak’aat, sit in qa’dah and stand up after reciting at-tahiyyaat. Then again sit in qa’dah (after the third rak’ah) and turn for salaam after at-tahiyyaat, darood shareef and du’aa.

Q. What is the difference between Witr and other prayers?

A. In Witr prayers Du’aa-e-Qunoot is said in the third rak’ah. The order is like this: After Surah Faatihah and another surah in the third rak’ah, say Allaahu akbar, raising the hands up to the ears and folding them again. Then read Du’aa-e-Qunoot, and after that perform rukuu’ and complete the prayer as usual.

Q. Should du’aa-e-qunoot be said in a loud or low tone?

A. Whether the imaam, munfarid, or muqtadi, one should recite du’aa-e-qunoot in a low voice.

Q. What if one has not learnt du’aa-e-qunoot by heart?

A. One may say any other du’aa, for example, "Our Lord! Grant us the good of this world and the good of the Hereafter and save us from the torment of the hell-fire."

Q. If the muqtadi has not completed the du’aa-e-qunoot and the imaam goes into rukuu’, what should the muqtadi do?

A. He should leave it and go into rukuu’ with the imaam.