How is Witr prayed in Ramadan?
Question · One of the most asked questions about Ramadan
In Ramadan our imam prays Witr straight after Taraweeh and makes a long dua while everyone says ameen. But I like to wake up before suhoor and pray more. Should I pray Witr with the imam or wait until later?
Short answer
In Ramadan, Witr is usually prayed with the imam right after Taraweeh, as 1 or 3 rakats, often with a qunut dua in the last rakat. It should be the last prayer of your night.
Detailed answer
Witr is an odd-numbered prayer (1, 3, 5 or more rakats) that closes the night prayers. It can be prayed at any time after Isha until Fajr. In Ramadan, most mosques pray it in congregation straight after Taraweeh, usually as 3 rakats, and the imam often makes a special supplication called qunut in the last rakat while the people say "Ameen".
What the Sunnah says
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Make Witr the last of your prayers at night" (Bukhari and Muslim). He also said that there are not two Witrs in one night (Abu Dawud and Tirmidhi). He taught his grandson al-Hasan a short qunut dua that begins "O Allah, guide me among those You have guided" (Abu Dawud and Tirmidhi).
How to pray 3 rakats
- 2 + 1: pray two rakats and end with salam, then stand and pray one rakat on its own.
- 3 together: pray three rakats with a single sitting for tashahhud at the end.
- Qunut: in the last rakat, raise your hands and make dua, either before ruku or after rising from it, following your mosque.
Some scholars, following the Hanafi school, hold that Witr is a required (wajib) prayer of three rakats, with a sitting after the second rakat and qunut before ruku; if you are unsure, follow your local mosque or ask a trusted scholar.
What if I want to pray later at night?
- Option 1: pray Witr with the imam to gain the reward of completing the prayer with him. If you wake before Fajr, pray extra rakats in twos, but do not repeat Witr.
- Option 2: leave after Taraweeh, before Witr, and pray Witr at home after your late-night prayers.
Both are good. Read more in Tahajjud in Ramadan.
Tips
- If you are not sure you will wake up, pray Witr before you sleep.
- If you do not know a qunut dua yet, you can simply say "Ameen" behind the imam while you learn one.
- Witr completes your Taraweeh, but it is prayed all year round, not only in Ramadan.
These answers give the general ruling based on the Quran, the Sunnah and the mainstream view of scholars. For a personal situation, ask a qualified scholar you trust.
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