Different Ways to Pray Witr

Q: What are the different ways of praying witr based on the number of rak’ahs being prayed?

A: The minimum number of rak‘ahs for Witr is one. Performing Witr with just one rak‘ah alone is not considered disliked (makrūh), even without an excuse such as illness, travel, or similar reasons. This is the opinion of many of the companions (al-Aṣḥāb).

The maximum number of rak‘ahs for Witr is eleven. It can be performed in the following ways.

Methods for Praying Eleven Rak‘ahs:

1. Best Method:

Pray eleven rak‘ahs, offering taslīm after every two rak‘ahs, then conclude with a single rak‘ah of Witr without delay. This is the most virtuous method based on the practice of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).

2. Permissible Alternative:

Pray ten rak‘ahs continuously, sit for tashahhud at the end of the tenth rak‘ah, then stand to pray the eleventh rak‘ah, followed by tashahhud and taslīm.

3. Another Permissible Alternative:

Pray all eleven rak‘ahs continuously and only sit in the eleventh rak‘ah for tashahhud and taslīm.

Methods for Praying Fewer than Eleven Rak‘ahs:

Nine Rak‘ahs:

Pray eight rak‘ahs continuously, then sit for tashahhud at the end of the eighth rak‘ah. Stand and pray the ninth rak‘ah, followed by tashahhud and taslīm.

Seven or Five Rak‘ahs:

These should be prayed continuously without sitting for tashahhud except in the final rak‘ah.

Three Rak‘ahs (Minimum Level of Completeness):

There are three valid methods:

1. Preferred Method:

Pray two rak‘ahs, offer taslīm, then pray one rak‘ah separately.

2. Permissible Alternative:

Pray three rak‘ahs continuously, without sitting after the second rak‘ah, only sitting for tashahhud in the third rak‘ah, then taslīm.

3. Controversial Method:

Pray the three rak‘ahs like Maghrib, with a sitting after the second rak‘ah for tashahhud, then stand for the third rak‘ah and conclude with a final sitting for tashahhud and taslīm. Some scholars consider this method invalid because Witr should not resemble Maghrib. The official position, however, is that it is permissible but not preferred.

Source: Matalib Uli al-Nuha, Sharh al-Muntaha, Kashshaf al-Qina