How to pray Witr, step by step

Witr is the odd-numbered prayer that closes the night, after ‘Isha. Choose how to pray it (1 rak‘ah, 2 + 1, or 3 together) and follow it movement by movement.

Optional: choosing your school hides the actions it does not perform and highlights its view. Nothing is imposed.

How to pray witr

3 rak‘ahs: 2 then 1 (two salams). The only form retained by the Maliki school; the Shafi‘i and Hanbali schools consider it better than three joined together.

Sources

Step-by-step mode

Step 1 / 39

Rak‘ah 1 / 3

Standing towards the qibla, intention

Standing, facing the qibla (the direction of the Kaaba), form in your heart the intention of the prayer you are performing.

Obligatory · all 4 schools

For women

A woman covers her whole body except the face and hands, according to the most widespread view.

Find the qibla direction →
Schools, details and sources

Intention is a condition of prayer for the Hanafi and Hanbali schools and a pillar for the others. Whoever cannot stand prays sitting, and otherwise lying on their side.

All the steps

To read the whole guide at once. “Follow from here” opens the step-by-step mode at that step.

1st rak‘ah

  1. 1.Standing towards the qibla, intention

    Standing, facing the qibla (the direction of the Kaaba), form in your heart the intention of the prayer you are performing.

    Obligatory · all 4 schools

    For women

    A woman covers her whole body except the face and hands, according to the most widespread view.

    Find the qibla direction →
    Schools, details and sources

    Intention is a condition of prayer for the Hanafi and Hanbali schools and a pillar for the others. Whoever cannot stand prays sitting, and otherwise lying on their side.

  2. 2.Opening takbir

    Raise your hands to the level of your shoulders or ears and say “Allahu akbar”: you have entered the prayer.

    Obligatory · all 4 schools

    اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ

    Allahu akbar

    Allah is the Greatest.

    Schools, details and sources

    Raising the hands is a sunnah for all. For the Hanafi school this takbir is a condition of entry rather than a pillar.

  3. 3.Placing the hands

    Place your right hand over your left hand.

    Recommended (sunnah) · Hanafi, Shafi‘i, HanbaliNot done in obligatory prayer · Maliki
    Schools, details and sources

    Below the navel for the Hanafi and Hanbali schools, between the navel and the chest for the Shafi‘i school. The Maliki school, in its adopted view, leaves the arms by the sides.

  4. 4.Opening supplication

    Quietly say one of these supplications, as you prefer.

    Recommended (sunnah) · Hanafi, Shafi‘i, HanbaliNot done in obligatory prayer · Maliki

    Choose one

    سُبْحَانَكَ اللَّهُمَّ وَبِحَمْدِكَ وَتَبَارَكَ اسْمُكَ وَتَعَالَى جَدُّكَ وَلاَ إِلَهَ غَيْرُكَ

    Subhanaka Allahumma wa bihamdika, wa tabaraka-smuka, wa ta’ala jadduka, wa la ilaha ghayruk.

    Glory be to You, O Allah, and praise. Blessed is Your name, exalted is Your majesty, and there is no god but You.

    Schools, details and sources

    The Maliki school does not say it in obligatory prayer. A third, longer wording is reported by ‘Ali (Muslim 771).

  5. 5.Al-Fatiha

    Quietly seek refuge in Allah, then recite Al-Fatiha, beginning with “Bismillah…”. At the end, say “Ameen”.

    Obligatory · Maliki, Shafi‘i, HanbaliRequired (wajib) · Hanafi
    Aloud or silently

    أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ

    A’udhu billahi minash-shaytanir-rajim

    I seek refuge in Allah from Satan, the accursed.

    1. 1

      بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

      Bismillaahir Rahmaanir Raheem

      In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.

    2. 2

      ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ

      Alhamdu lillaahi Rabbil 'aalameen

      [All] praise is [due] to Allah, Lord of the worlds -

    3. 3

      ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

      Ar-Rahmaanir-Raheem

      The Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful,

    4. 4

      مَٰلِكِ يَوْمِ ٱلدِّينِ

      Maaliki Yawmid-Deen

      Sovereign of the Day of Recompense.

    5. 5

      إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ

      Iyyaaka na'budu wa lyyaaka nasta'een

      It is You we worship and You we ask for help.

    6. 6

      ٱهْدِنَا ٱلصِّرَٰطَ ٱلْمُسْتَقِيمَ

      Ihdinas-Siraatal-Mustaqeem

      Guide us to the straight path -

    7. 7

      صِرَٰطَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ غَيْرِ ٱلْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا ٱلضَّآلِّينَ

      Siraatal-lazeena an'amta 'alaihim ghayril-maghdoobi 'alaihim wa lad-daaalleen

      The path of those upon whom You have bestowed favor, not of those who have evoked [Your] anger or of those who are astray.

    Read and listen on the Quran page — Al-Fatiha

    آمِينَ

    Ameen

    “Answer our prayer”, said at the end of Al-Fatiha.

    Schools, details and sources

    A pillar for the Maliki, Shafi‘i and Hanbali schools; for the Hanafi school the obligation is to recite Qur’an, and Al-Fatiha is a duty (wajib). The Maliki school says neither the seeking of refuge nor the basmala in obligatory prayer.

  6. 6.A short surah

    Then recite a surah or a few verses, for example one of these.

    Required (wajib) · HanafiRecommended (sunnah) · Maliki, Shafi‘i, Hanbali
    Aloud or silently

    Witr surah for this rak‘ah : Al-A’la

    Schools, details and sources

    A duty (wajib) for the Hanafi school in the first two rak‘ahs, recommended for the other schools. In the 3rd and 4th rak‘ahs only Al-Fatiha is recited.

  7. 7.Bowing (ruku‘)

    Say “Allahu akbar” and bow: hands on your knees, back straight. Stay still for a moment.

    Obligatory · all 4 schools

    سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْعَظِيمِ

    Subhana Rabbiyal-’Adheem

    Glory be to my Lord, the Most Great.

    at least once; often three times

    For women

    A woman keeps her body more gathered in bowing and prostration: this is what al-Shafi‘i (al-Umm) and the Maliki school recommend; other scholars describe the same posture for everyone.

    Schools, details and sources
    The words:Required (wajib) · HanbaliRecommended (sunnah) · Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi‘i

    The Shafi‘i and Hanbali schools also raise the hands when bowing and rising; the Hanafi school, and the Maliki school in its best-known view, raise them only at the opening. Saying the formula three times comes from a hadith with a weak chain; once is enough.

  8. 8.Rising from bowing

    Rise saying “Sami‘Allahu liman hamidah”, then, standing straight: “Rabbana wa lakal-hamd”.

    Obligatory · Maliki, Shafi‘i, HanbaliRequired (wajib) · Hanafi

    سَمِعَ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ

    Sami’Allahu liman hamidah

    Allah hears the one who praises Him.

    رَبَّنَا وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ

    Rabbana wa lakal-hamd

    Our Lord, to You belongs all praise.

    Schools, details and sources
    The words:Required (wajib) · HanbaliRecommended (sunnah) · Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi‘i

    For the Hanbali school, someone praying behind an imam says only “Rabbana wa lakal-hamd”.

  9. 9.Prostration (sujud)

    Say “Allahu akbar” and prostrate on seven parts of the body: the forehead with the nose, both hands, both knees and the toes of both feet. Stay still for a moment.

    Obligatory · all 4 schools

    سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الأَعْلَى

    Subhana Rabbiyal-A’la

    Glory be to my Lord, the Most High.

    at least once; often three times

    For women

    A woman keeps herself more gathered, arms close to the body and stomach close to the thighs, according to al-Shafi‘i and the Maliki school; other scholars describe the same posture for everyone.

    Schools, details and sources
    The words:Required (wajib) · HanbaliRecommended (sunnah) · Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi‘i

  10. 10.Sitting between the two prostrations

    Rise saying “Allahu akbar” and sit on your left leg, staying still for a moment.

    Obligatory · Maliki, Shafi‘i, HanbaliRequired (wajib) · Hanafi

    Choose one

    رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي

    Rabbighfir li, Rabbighfir li

    My Lord, forgive me. My Lord, forgive me.

    Schools, details and sources
    The words:Required (wajib) · HanbaliRecommended (sunnah) · Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi‘i

  11. 11.The second prostration

    Say “Allahu akbar” and prostrate again, as the first time.

    Obligatory · all 4 schools

    سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الأَعْلَى

    Subhana Rabbiyal-A’la

    Glory be to my Lord, the Most High.

    at least once; often three times

    Schools, details and sources
    The words:Required (wajib) · HanbaliRecommended (sunnah) · Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi‘i

2nd rak‘ah

  1. 12.Al-Fatiha

    Stand up saying “Allahu akbar”, then recite Al-Fatiha and say “Ameen”.

    Obligatory · Maliki, Shafi‘i, HanbaliRequired (wajib) · Hanafi
    Aloud or silently

    آمِينَ

    Ameen

    “Answer our prayer”, said at the end of Al-Fatiha.

    Schools, details and sources

    A pillar for the Maliki, Shafi‘i and Hanbali schools; for the Hanafi school the obligation is to recite Qur’an, and Al-Fatiha is a duty (wajib). The Maliki school says neither the seeking of refuge nor the basmala in obligatory prayer.

  2. 13.A short surah

    As in the previous rak‘ah (details above).

  3. 14.Bowing (ruku‘)

    As in the previous rak‘ah (details above).

  4. 15.Rising from bowing

    As in the previous rak‘ah (details above).

  5. 16.Prostration (sujud)

    As in the previous rak‘ah (details above).

  6. 17.Sitting between the two prostrations

    As in the previous rak‘ah (details above).

  7. 18.The second prostration

    As in the previous rak‘ah (details above).

  8. 19.The final tashahhud

    After the last prostration, sit and recite the tashahhud.

    Obligatory · all 4 schools

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

    At-tahiyyatu lillahi was-salawatu wat-tayyibat. As-salamu ’alayka ayyuhan-nabiyyu wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh. As-salamu ’alayna wa ’ala ’ibadillahis-salihin. Ash-hadu an la ilaha illallah, wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan ’abduhu wa rasuluh.

    Greetings, prayers and good things 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 god but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger.

    Schools, details and sources
    The words:Obligatory · Shafi‘i, HanbaliRequired (wajib) · HanafiRecommended (sunnah) · Maliki

    Sitting is obligatory for all schools. Reciting the tashahhud is a pillar for the Shafi‘i and Hanbali schools, a duty (wajib) for the Hanafi school, a sunnah for the Maliki school. The Maliki school sits on the left hip in every sitting; the Hanbali school only in the final tashahhud of 3- and 4-rak‘ah prayers.

  9. 20.Blessings on the Prophet ﷺ

    Still seated, send blessings on the Prophet ﷺ (the Ibrahimi prayer).

    Obligatory · Shafi‘i, HanbaliRecommended (sunnah) · Hanafi, Maliki

    اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ، كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ، اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ، كَمَا بَارَكْتَ عَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ

    Allahumma salli ’ala Muhammadin wa ’ala ali Muhammad, kama sallayta ’ala ali Ibrahim, innaka Hamidun Majid. Allahumma barik ’ala Muhammadin wa ’ala ali Muhammad, kama barakta ’ala ali Ibrahim, innaka Hamidun Majid.

    O Allah, send Your grace upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as You sent Your grace upon the family of Abraham; You are indeed Praiseworthy, Glorious. O Allah, bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as You blessed the family of Abraham; You are indeed Praiseworthy, Glorious.

    Schools, details and sources

    A pillar for the Shafi‘i and Hanbali schools, a sunnah for the Hanafi and Maliki schools.

  10. 21.A supplication before the salam

    Seek Allah’s protection from four things, then, if you wish, make any supplication you like.

    Recommended (sunnah) · all 4 schools

    اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ عَذَابِ القَبْرِ، وَمِنْ عَذَابِ النَّارِ، وَمِنْ فِتْنَةِ المَحْيَا وَالمَمَاتِ، وَمِنْ فِتْنَةِ المَسِيحِ الدَّجَّالِ

    Allahumma inni a’udhu bika min ’adhabil-qabr, wa min ’adhabin-nar, wa min fitnatil-mahya wal-mamat, wa min fitnatil-masihid-dajjal.

    O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the punishment of the grave, the punishment of the Fire, the trials of life and death, and the trial of the False Messiah (ad-Dajjal).

    Schools, details and sources

  11. 22.The final salam

    Turn your head to the right saying “As-salamu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullah”, then to the left saying the same. The prayer is complete.

    Obligatory · Maliki, Shafi‘i, HanbaliRequired (wajib) · Hanafi

    السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ

    As-salamu ’alaykum wa rahmatullah

    Peace and the mercy of Allah be upon you.

    Schools, details and sources

    The Maliki school gives only one salam, to the right, when praying alone or leading; for the Hanbali school both salams are obligatory.

3rd rak‘ah

  1. 23.Standing towards the qibla, intention

    As in the previous rak‘ah (details above).

  2. 24.Opening takbir

    As in the previous rak‘ah (details above).

  3. 25.Placing the hands

    As in the previous rak‘ah (details above).

  4. 26.Opening supplication

    As in the previous rak‘ah (details above).

  5. 27.Al-Fatiha

    As in the previous rak‘ah (details above).

  6. 28.A short surah

    As in the previous rak‘ah (details above).

  7. 29.The qunut of witr

    In the last rak‘ah, after the surah and before bowing, say this supplication.

    Required (wajib) · HanafiRecommended (sunnah) · Shafi‘i, HanbaliNot done in obligatory prayer · Maliki

    اللَّهُمَّ اهْدِنِي فِيمَنْ هَدَيْتَ وَعَافِنِي فِيمَنْ عَافَيْتَ وَتَوَلَّنِي فِيمَنْ تَوَلَّيْتَ وَبَارِكْ لِي فِيمَا أَعْطَيْتَ وَقِنِي شَرَّ مَا قَضَيْتَ إِنَّكَ تَقْضِي وَلاَ يُقْضَى عَلَيْكَ وَإِنَّهُ لاَ يَذِلُّ مَنْ وَالَيْتَ وَلاَ يَعِزُّ مَنْ عَادَيْتَ تَبَارَكْتَ رَبَّنَا وَتَعَالَيْتَ

    Allahumma-hdini fiman hadayt, wa ’afini fiman ’afayt, wa tawallani fiman tawallayt, wa barik li fima a’tayt, wa qini sharra ma qadayt, innaka taqdi wa la yuqda ’alayk, wa innahu la yadhillu man walayt, wa la ya’izzu man ’adayt, tabarakta Rabbana wa ta’alayt.

    O Allah, guide me among those You have guided, grant me well-being among those You have granted well-being, take me into Your care among those You have taken into Your care, bless me in what You have given, and protect me from the evil of what You have decreed. You decree and none decrees over You. Whoever You befriend is never humbled, and whoever You take as an enemy is never honoured. Blessed are You, our Lord, and Exalted.

    Schools, details and sources

    The hadith of Ubayy ibn Ka‘b places it before bowing; the Hanbali school prefers it after rising. The Hanafi school first says “Allahu akbar”, then the qunut, often with the supplication “Allahumma inna nasta‘inuka…”: any supplication is valid. The Hanafi and Hanbali schools do it all year, the Shafi‘i school in the second half of Ramadan; Imam Malik did not recommend it in witr.

  8. 30.Bowing (ruku‘)

    As in the previous rak‘ah (details above).

  9. 31.Rising from bowing

    As in the previous rak‘ah (details above).

  10. 32.Prostration (sujud)

    As in the previous rak‘ah (details above).

  11. 33.Sitting between the two prostrations

    As in the previous rak‘ah (details above).

  12. 34.The second prostration

    As in the previous rak‘ah (details above).

  13. 35.The final tashahhud

    As in the previous rak‘ah (details above).

  14. 36.Blessings on the Prophet ﷺ

    As in the previous rak‘ah (details above).

  15. 37.A supplication before the salam

    As in the previous rak‘ah (details above).

  16. 38.The final salam

    As in the previous rak‘ah (details above).

  17. 39.After witr

    After the salam, say this glorification three times.

    Recommended (sunnah) · all 4 schools

    سُبْحَانَ الْمَلِكِ الْقُدُّوسِ (×3)

    Subhanal-Malikil-Quddus (3 times, lengthening the last)

    Glory be to the King, the Most Holy.

    Schools, details and sources

Witr in brief

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