The ruling on praying Witr as three rak'ahs with a single taslim

Question:
This questioner (B. S. M.) from Riyadh says: The imam once led us in the tarawih prayer with four taslims, then led us in the witr prayer with a single taslim, and the witr was three rak'ahs. Is his action valid?

Answer:
This is better if he prays eleven: four taslims, then the witr: two rak'ahs, then one rak'ah, eleven in total. This is the most common practice of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him); he would pray two, two, two... these are eight, then two in which he recites [Al-A'la:1] and Al-Kafirun, then one in which he recites [Al-Ikhlas:1]. This is the best.
And if he prays thirteen, there is no harm. And if he prays the three consecutively, [Al-A'la:1] and [Al-Kafirun:1] ... reciting them all together; there is no harm. But he should not make it resemble the Maghrib prayer; rather, he should recite them all together with a single taslim, and there is no harm. The best is that he says taslim after every two, just as he said taslim after every two of the first four. Similarly, he recites (Subhan) and Al-Kafirun and says taslim, then he comes with one rak'ah in which he recites [Al-Ikhlas: 1] and says taslim -along with al-Fatihah-; this is the best. The single rak'ah is independent, and if he combines it with the two -reciting all three consecutively- there is no blame on him; the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did both this and that. May Allah send blessings and peace upon him.

The presenter: May Allah send prayers and peace upon him.