The minimum and maximum of the witr prayer
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The fourth question of the fatwa numbered ( 20088 )
Q4: A person, after praying the 'Isha' prayer, prays two rak'ahs, then prays the two rak'ahs of the shaf', then goes to his house, then comes back after midnight to pray two rak'ahs of tahajjud, then prays witr with one rak'ah. Is this permissible?
Volume 4: The minimum for the witr prayer is one rak'ah, and there is no limit to its maximum. Therefore, if one prays witr with one, three, five, seven, nine, eleven, thirteen, or more rak'ahs, that is permissible, and there is leeway in the matter. What you mentioned in your question about this person starting the night prayer with two rak'ahs, then praying two rak'ahs after the middle of the night, and then praying witr with one rak'ah, is permissible; indeed, it is better. This is based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):Sahih Muslim 751b, which is agreed upon by al-Bukhari and Muslim. And based on his saying (peace and blessings be upon him): Sunan Abi Dawud 1326Sahih (Al-Albani), which is agreed upon by al-Bukhari and Muslim. And based on his saying (peace and blessings be upon him): , narrated by the Imam Muslim . And the best is to pray the witr with one
ten rak'ahs or thirteen rak'ahs, praying them two by two, then praying witr with one, for it is established that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to do that, and the predominant of his practice (peace and blessings be upon him) was that he used to pray them eleven rak'ahs. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q4: A person, after praying the 'Isha' prayer, prays two rak'ahs, then prays the two rak'ahs of the shaf', then goes to his house, then comes back after midnight to pray two rak'ahs of tahajjud, then prays witr with one rak'ah. Is this permissible?
Volume 4: The minimum for the witr prayer is one rak'ah, and there is no limit to its maximum. Therefore, if one prays witr with one, three, five, seven, nine, eleven, thirteen, or more rak'ahs, that is permissible, and there is leeway in the matter. What you mentioned in your question about this person starting the night prayer with two rak'ahs, then praying two rak'ahs after the middle of the night, and then praying witr with one rak'ah, is permissible; indeed, it is better. This is based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):
Make Witr the end of your night prayer.
اجعلوا آخر صلاتكم بالليل وترًاPrayer during the night should consist of pairs of rak'ahs, but if one of you fears the morning is near he should pray one rak'ah which will make his prayer an odd number for him.
صلاة الليل مثنى مثنى فإذا خشي أحدكم الصبح صلى ركعة واحدة توتر له ما قد صلىWhoever fears that he will not be able to get up in the last part of the night, let him pray witr in the first part of the night. And whoever hopes to get up in the last part of the night, let him pray witr in the last part of the night, for the prayer of the last part of the night is witnessed, and that is better.
من خاف ألا يقوم من آخر الليل فليوتر أوله ومن طمع أن يقوم آخر الليل فليوتر آخر الليل فإن صلاة آخر الليل مشهودة وذلك أفضلten rak'ahs or thirteen rak'ahs, praying them two by two, then praying witr with one, for it is established that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to do that, and the predominant of his practice (peace and blessings be upon him) was that he used to pray them eleven rak'ahs. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.