27. Should I Pray Witr Right After Ishaa Prayer Or Can I DELAY It

By Asma bint Shameem
The timing for Witr prayer lasts from Ishaa to just before Fajr.

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:

“Allaah has prescribed for you a prayer (by which He may increase your reward), which is Witr; Allaah has enjoined it for you during the time between ‘Ishaa prayer until dawn begins.” (al-Tirmidhi- saheeh by al-Albaani)

 It’s better to DELAY Witr

It’s better and more rewarding if you can delay your witr until later at night, most preferably making it your last prayer of the night, just before fajr.

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:

“Make the LAST of your prayer at night Witr.” (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)

 And he said:

“Whoever hopes to stand for prayer at the end of the night, let him perform witr prayer at its ending. Verily, prayer at the end of the night is witnessed, and that is better.” (Muslim)

But what if I’m not sure I’ll wake up?

The ulama tell us that delaying Witr is a recommendation, and not something obligatory.

So if you’re not able to wake up to pray Witr before it’s time is up, then it’s better to pray it before you sleep.

That’s because the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:

“Whoever fears that he will not get up at the end of the night, let him pray Witr at the beginning of the night, but whoever thinks that he will be able to get up at the end of the night, let him pray Witr at the end of the night, for prayer at the end of the night is witnessed (by the angels) and that is better.” (Muslim)

So if you are confident that you’re going to get up at night before Fajr, then it’s better to delay your witr and pray it after you’re done with your tahajjud Nawaafil.
That is more rewarding.

But if you’re tired, or not sure you’ll get up before it’s time is up, then it’s better to pray Witr before you go to bed.

QUESTION

Can I pray Tahajjud/Nawaafil even after I have prayed witr?

ANSWER

Indeed, the Prophet (sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam) told us to make the Witr our last prayer of the night.
However, this command is in the sense of it being mustahabb and preferable, not in the sense of it being obligatory and compulsory.

Proof

When Aa'ishah Radhi Allaahu anha was asked about the Witr of the Prophet (sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam) she described the way he (sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam)prayed and then she said: ".... then he would pray two rak'ahs after that, whilst sitting down." (Muslim)

Al-Nawawi said:

"The correct view is that he (sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam) performed these two rak'ahs after Witr sitting down, to demonstrate that it is permissible to pray after Witr, and to demonstrate that it is permissible to offer naafil prayers sitting down."

Shaykh Ibn Baaz also said, explaining the reason why the Prophet (sal Allaahu alyahi wa sallam) prayed two rak'ahs after Witr:

"The reason for that - and Allaah knows best - is to show to the people that it is permissible to pray after Witr." (Fataawa Islamiyyah)

 Ibn Hazm said:

"Witr at the end of the night is better, but whoever prays Witr at the beginning of the night, that is fine. It is permissible to pray after Witr but one should not repeat Witr."(al-Muhalla)

So if you want to pray Tahajjud at night, it is permissible for you to pray Witr with Ishaa, then to pray more Nawaafil after that.

You can pray as many rak'ahs as you want, two by two.

It does not have to be only two rakaat and do not repeat Witr.

And Allaah knows best.