Is every prayer after Ishā’ considered a part of Qiyām al-Layl, and is it better to pray two rakahs after Ishā’ and then Witr after Qiyām al-Layl in the last third of the night, or is praying four rakahs after Ishā’ considered a part of Qiyām al-Layl or not?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
Not every prayer after Isha is considered part of al-Layl (night prayer). The regular prayer after Isha is not counted as such, and it is not permissible to combine the intention for both. It is best to delay Qiyam al-Layl until the last third of the night, and it is recommended to begin it with two light rak'ahs. It is permissible to pray any number of supererogatory prayers after Isha, whether they are intended as Qiyam al-Layl or not. It is also permissible to divide Qiyam al-Layl by praying before sleeping and after waking up, and it should be concluded with Witr prayer.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/117008
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- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 117008
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy