🕯️How to Pray Witr Salah — Method, Qunut & Timing

Complete verified guide for Witr prayer: 3 Rak'ahs method, Dua al-Qunut recitation, Takbir before Qunut, and scholarly views across Madhhabs.

Total Rak'ahs

3 Rak'ahs

Best Time

Last part of night before Fajr (or after Isha for early sleepers)

Time Window

After Isha prayer until before Fajr Sadiq

Guide Mode:

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Rak'ah Sequence & Structure

Unit 1

Rak'ah 1

Fatiha + Surah
Ruku
Sajdahs

Unit 2

Rak'ah 2

Fatiha + Surah
Ruku
Sajdahs
First Qa'dah (Tashahhud only)

Unit 3

Rak'ah 3

Fatiha + Surah
Takbir Qunut
Dua al-Qunut
Ruku
Sajdahs
Final Qa'dah & Salam

Step 1 of 4(25% Completed)

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Position: standing

Intention & First 2 Rak'ahs

Perform the first 2 Rak'ahs with Surah Al-Fatiha and an additional Surah. After 2nd Sajdah, sit for Tashahhud (At-Tahiyyat) only, then stand up for the 3rd Rak'ah without Salam.

What to Recite in this Position:

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Surah Al-Fatiha (The Opening)

ArabicTranslitMeaning

الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ ۝ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ ۝ مَالِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ ۝ إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ ۝ اهْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ ۝ صِرَاطَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ غَيْرِ الْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا الضَّالِّينَ

"Alhamdu lillahi Rabbil-'alameen. Ar-Rahmanir-Raheem. Maliki Yawmid-Deen. Iyyaka na'budu wa iyyaka nasta'een. Ihdinas-Siratal-Mustaqeem. Siratal-ladheena an'amta 'alayhim ghayril-maghdoobi 'alayhim wa lad-dallleen. Ameen."

Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds. The Most Gracious, Most Merciful. Master of the Day of Judgment. You alone we worship and You alone we ask for help. Guide us to the straight path. The path of those upon whom You have bestowed favor, not of those who have evoked Your anger or of those who are astray. Amen.

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Tashahhud (At-Tahiyyat)

ArabicTranslitMeaning

التَّحِيَّاتُ لِلَّهِ وَالصَّلَوَاتُ وَالطَّيِّبَاتُ السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ السَّلَامُ عَلَيْنَا وَعَلَى عِبَادِ اللَّهِ الصَّالِحِينَ أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ

"At-tahiyyatu lillahi was-salawatu wat-tayyibatu. As-salamu 'alayka ayyuhan-Nabiyyu wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh. As-salamu 'alayna wa 'ala 'ibadillahis-saliheen. Ashhadu an la ilaha illallahu wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan 'abduhu wa rasooluh."

All compliments, prayers, and pure words are due to Allah. Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings. Peace be upon us and upon the righteous servants of Allah. I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger.

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Scholarly Notes & Recognized Views

Hanafi school prays 3 continuous Rak'ahs with one Salam at the end. Shafi'i and Hanbali schools often pray 2 Rak'ahs + 1 single Rak'ah with separate Salam. Both views are based on classical Hadith evidence.

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