Sunnah Rak'ahs of Witr Prayer

Written by Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Amanpuri

One Rak'ah Witr Prayer​

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) has established that Witr prayer can be performed as one, three, five, seven, or nine rak'ahs.

One Rak'ah Witr Prayer​

Rabee' bin Sulayman (may Allah have mercy on him) narrates:

Imam Shafi'i (may Allah have mercy on him) was asked about Witr prayer: Is it permissible for a man to perform one rak'ah of Witr without any preceding prayer? He said: Yes, it is permissible, but I prefer to pray ten rak'ahs and then perform one Witr. I asked Imam Shafi'i: What is the evidence for the permissibility of one rak'ah Witr? He said: The evidence is the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) and the reports from the predecessors. [Al-Sunan Al-Sughra by Al-Bayhaqi: 593, its chain is Hasan]

Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that a man asked the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) about the night prayer, and he said:

"The night prayer is performed two by two rak'ahs. When one of you fears the approach of dawn, let him pray one rak'ah, making his prayer an odd number." [Sahih Bukhari: 990, Sahih Muslim: 749]

In another narration from Sahih Muslim (158/749), the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

"And let him perform Witr with one rak'ah in the last part of the night."

In Sahih Muslim (752, 753), it is narrated from Sayyiduna Ibn Umar and Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:

"Witr is one rak'ah at the end of the night."

Another narration from Sahih Muslim (159/749) states:

"The night prayer is two by two rak'ahs. When you see that dawn is approaching, then perform one Witr."

Sayyidah Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates:

"The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to pray eleven rak'ahs at night, including one rak'ah for Witr. When he finished, he would lie down on his right side until the Mu'adhdhin came to call for prayer, then he would pray two light rak'ahs." [Sahih Bukhari: 994, Sahih Muslim: 736, and this wording is his]

Sayyiduna Abu Ayyub (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:

"Witr is a duty. Whoever wishes may perform it with seven, whoever wishes may perform it with five, whoever wishes may perform it with three, and whoever wishes may perform it with one rak'ah."

[Sunan Abu Dawood: 1422, Sunan An-Nasa'i: 1711, Sunan Ibn Majah: 1190, its chain is authentic]

Imam Ibn Hibban (may Allah have mercy on him) and Hafiz Ibn al-Mulqin (Al-Badr Al-Muneer: 296/4) have declared this Hadith as "Sahih". Imam Hakim (may Allah have mercy on him) has authenticated it according to the criteria of Bukhari and Muslim, and Hafiz Dhahabi (may Allah have mercy on him) agreed with him.

Sayyidah Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates:

"The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) performed Witr with one rak'ah."

[Sunan Ad-Daraqutni: 1656, its chain is authentic]

Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates about the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him):

"He performed Witr with one rak'ah." [Sahih Ibn Hibban: 2424, its chain is authentic]

Ibn Abi Mulaikah narrates that Sayyiduna Mu'awiyah (may Allah be pleased with him) performed one rak'ah of Witr after Isha. A servant of Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) was present and informed Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them). He said:

"Leave him, for he has accompanied the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him)."

[Sahih Bukhari: 3764]

Another narration in Sahih Bukhari (3765) states that Ibn Abi Mulaikah narrated that Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) was asked about Amir al-Mu'minin Mu'awiyah (may Allah be pleased with him) who performed only one rak'ah of Witr. He said:

"He is a Faqih (jurist)."

Ata bin Abi Rabah (may Allah have mercy on him) narrates:

"Mu'awiyah performed one rak'ah of Witr, and it was objected to him. Ibn Abbas was asked, and he said: 'He has acted upon the Sunnah.'" [Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah: 291/2, its chain is authentic]

One rak'ah Witr is Sunnah, and it is a sign of a Faqih (jurist) that he performs one rak'ah of Witr. Sayyiduna Mu'awiyah and Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) are two prominent Companions who believed in and acted upon one rak'ah Witr.

Practice of Other Companions​

Abu Majliz narrates that he asked Sayyiduna Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) about Witr, saying that if he is traveling, what should he do? He replied:

"Perform one rak'ah of Witr in the last part of the night."

[Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah: 301/2, its chain is authentic]

Abdur Rahman Taymi narrates that he thought no one would surpass him in performing Qiyam al-Lail that night. He got up and heard someone behind him. It was Sayyiduna Uthman bin Affan (may Allah be pleased with him). He stepped aside. Sayyiduna Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) started reciting the Quran and completed it, then performed Ruku and Sujood. He thought the Sheikh had forgotten. When Sayyiduna Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) finished, he said:

"O Amir al-Mu'minin! You performed only one rak'ah of Witr." He replied: "Yes, that is my Witr." [Sharh Ma'ani al-Athar by Al-Tahawi: 294/1, Sunan Ad-Daraqutni: 34/2, its chain is Hasan]

Abdullah bin Maslamah narrates that Sayyiduna Saad bin Abi Waqqas (may Allah be pleased with him) led us in Isha prayer, then performed one rak'ah of Witr in a corner of the mosque. I followed him and asked: "O Abu Ishaq! What is this rak'ah?" He replied:

"It is Witr, I am performing it and then sleeping." Amr bin Murrah said: I narrated this to Mus'ab bin Saad, and he said: "Sayyiduna Saad (may Allah be pleased with him) used to perform one rak'ah of Witr." [Sharh Ma'ani al-Athar by Al-Tahawi: 295/1, its chain is Hasan]

Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Tha'laba bin Sa'eer (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates, whose face was touched by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) during the conquest of Makkah, that Sayyiduna Saad (may Allah be pleased with him), who participated in Badr with the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), used to perform one rak'ah of Witr after Isha prayer and nothing more, until he performed Qiyam in the middle of the night. [Ma'rifat al-Sunan wa al-Athar by Al-Bayhaqi: 3142, Sahih Bukhari: 6356, its chain is authentic]

Nafi' (may Allah have mercy on him) narrates about Sayyiduna Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them):

"He used to perform one rak'ah of Witr." [Al-Awsat by Ibn al-Mundhir: 179/5, its chain is authentic]

Abu Majliz narrates that Sayyiduna Abu Musa (may Allah be pleased with him) performed two rak'ahs of Isha prayer between Makkah and Madinah, then stood up and performed one rak'ah of Witr. [Al-Awsat by Ibn al-Mundhir: 179/5, its chain is authentic]

Jarir bin Hazim narrates:

"I asked Ata: Can I perform one rak'ah of Witr? He said: Yes, if you wish."

[Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah: 292/2, its chain is authentic]

Ibn Aun narrates that he asked Imam Muhammad bin Sirin (may Allah have mercy on him): If a person sleeps and morning comes, can he perform one rak'ah of Witr after dawn? He said:

"I do not see any harm in it." [Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah: 290/2, its chain is authentic]

One, Three, Five, and Seven Rak'ahs Witr According to the Hanafis​

Performing one, three, five, and seven rak'ahs of Witr is permissible. We now present references from the reliable books of the followers:

1. The renowned Hanafi scholar Abdul Hayy Lakhnawi writes:

"It is proven from a group of Companions that they performed one rak'ah of Witr without any preceding Nafl prayer." [Al-Ta'liq Al-Mumajjad by Lakhnawi: 508/1]

1. Allama Sindhi Hanafi, while explaining the Hadith of Sayyidah Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her), writes:

"This is clear evidence for the permissibility of one rak'ah Witr." [Hashiyat Al-Sindi 'Ala Al-Nasa'i: 30/2]

1. Anwar Shah Kashmiri Deobandi writes:

"Yes, it is established from some Companions without a doubt." [Al-Arf Al-Shadhi by Kashmiri: 12/2]

1. Abdul Shakoor Farooqi Lakhnawi Deobandi writes:

"This (performing only three Witr) is the opinion of Imam Abu Hanifa. According to him, one rak'ah of Witr is not permissible. Imam Shafi'i (may Allah have mercy on him) believes that even one rak'ah is permissible. Both sides have numerous authentic Hadiths." [Ilm al-Fiqh by Abdul Shakoor Al-Laknawi: Part Two: 182]

Warning No. 1:​

Some people must prove from their Imam with a Sahih chain that performing one rak'ah of Witr is not permissible.

Warning No. 2:​

The narration that mentions three Witr does not negate one or five Witr.

1. Khaleel Ahmad Saharanpuri Deobandi writes:

"Performing one rak'ah of Witr is present in authentic Hadiths, and Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Umar and Abdullah bin Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) and other Companions are in favor of it. Imam Malik, Imam Shafi'i, and Imam Ahmad (may Allah have mercy on them) hold the same opinion. Criticizing this opinion is tantamount to criticizing all of them. What then is the position of faith?" [Barahin Qatiah: p. 7]

Note that this book contains the endorsement of Rasheed Ahmad Gangohi Deobandi.

From the statement of Saharanpuri Deobandi, several points are established, one of which is that those who criticize one rak'ah Witr are devoid of faith.

1. When some people objected to the aforementioned book by Saharanpuri, in response, Haji Imdadullah "Makkah" Deobandi, the leader of the Deobandi belief of Wahdat al-Wujud, wrote:

"Similarly, in the discussion of one rak'ah Witr, what you have written that the objection of the author of 'Barahin' reaches Imam Abu Hanifa and his two companions is mere prejudice or foolishness. The author of 'Barahin' refutes those who generally criticize those who perform one rak'ah of Witr because among them are some Companions and Imams. When did Imam Abu Hanifa and his two companions ever criticize those who perform one rak'ah of Witr, and how could they, given that this includes prominent Companions and distinguished Imams? The author of 'Anwar Satiya' has generally criticized those who perform one rak'ah of Witr, even though among them are Companions and Imams. He has been warned and prevented from this disrespect." [This is appended to the end of 'Barahin': p. 280]

1. A follower of this writing comments:

"Therefore, the objection that 'from the statement of 'Barahin', it appears that the faith of Imam Abu Hanifa and his two companions is also in question' is sheer foolishness and misery, because these individuals have never criticized those Companions and Imams who performed one rak'ah of Witr and did not write disrespectful words against them. The author of 'Anwar Satiya' has generally criticized those who perform one rak'ah of Witr, hence he was warned and informed that there is no place for faith in disrespecting the Hadiths and predecessors. If the author of 'Anwar Satiya' claims that he did not intend to criticize the Companions and Imams who believed in one rak'ah Witr, then this excuse is worse than the sin because, in this book, he has generally criticized those who perform one rak'ah of Witr. The Shari'ah ruling is based on apparent evidence, and whether they are predecessors or successors, if they follow the Hadith of the Prophet (peace be upon him) in an action, it cannot be criticized. If the objection is because of any Hadith or following it, then it should also be applied to the false sects and people of desires who hold beliefs and actions similar to those of the people of truth. Hence, when the followers of one rak'ah Witr are also Companions and Ahl al-Sunnah, there can be no objection to this action." [Also p. 280]

1. In support of Saharanpuri and in response to the author of 'Anwar Satiya', the renowned follower, Mahmood Hasan Deobandi, writes:

"The author of 'Anwar Satiya' (Abdul Samad Rampuri) has harshly criticized those who perform one rak'ah of Witr. The fact is that such criticism is only due to his predecessors. However, criticizing those who perform one rak'ah of Witr, which is supported by authentic Hadiths and held by some Imams such as Imam Shafi'i and Imam Ahmad (may Allah have mercy on them), is only for him. This is a separate matter that the Hanafi scholars do not hold this opinion due to other reasons and arguments, but merely for this reason, one cannot criticize others." [Al-Juhd Al-Muqil fi Tanziyah Al-Mu'izz wa Al-Mudhil by Mahmood Hasan Deobandi: p. 17]

1. Ashraf Ali Thanvi Deobandi states:

"According to some people, Witr is one rak'ah, according to others, it is three, and according to others, it is five. All these interpretations can be applied, but I believe the best way is that all three methods are established from the Prophet (peace be upon him)."

[Taqrir Tirmidhi by Thanvi: 136]

This book contains a foreword by Taqi Usmani Deobandi.

1. Ashraf Ali Thanvi Deobandi quotes his teacher, Sheikh Muhammad Thanvi Deobandi:

"(Ahl-e-Hadith) have preferred the Hadith about one rak'ah Witr from all the Hadiths about Witr, even though there are Hadiths about three, five, and seven rak'ahs." [Qisas Al-Akabir by Thanvi: 122]

Commentary:

It is a slander by Thanvi that Ahl-e-Hadith has preferred the Hadith of one rak'ah Witr, while Ahl-e-Hadith do not dislike the Hadiths of three, five, and seven rak'ahs Witr. Rather, they also believe in and act upon them. Alhamdulillah for that!

1. Ahmad Saeed Kazmi Barelvi writes:

"Allama Karmani stated that Sayyiduna Qasim bin Muhammad (the grandson of Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddiq) said that 'Indeed, all are permissible': one rak'ah Witr, three rak'ahs, five rak'ahs, and seven rak'ahs."

[Maqalat-e-Kazmi: Part Three: 488]

1. Ahmad Yar Khan Naeemi Barelvi writes:

"The Prophet (peace be upon him) performed one rak'ah Witr, three rak'ahs, five rak'ahs, and even up to eleven and thirteen rak'ahs."

[Jaa Al-Haqq by Naeemi, Volume Two: p. 263]

This extensive overview establishes the authenticity and permissibility of performing one rak'ah of Witr, supported by numerous Sahih Hadiths and the practices of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his Companions.