Is it permissible for a congregant to intend to pray two supererogatory rak'ahs (Qiyam al-Layl) behind an Imam who is praying Witr, thinking that the Imam has not finished the supererogatory prayer, or must he change his intention to a Witr rak'ah?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
It is permissible for the ma'mum (follower in prayer) to intend two rak'ahs (units of prayer) of al-layl (night prayer) behind the imam (prayer leader) with whom he prays witr (odd-numbered prayer), and then, after the imam concludes with tasleem (salutation), he adds one rak'ah to make it an even number (shaf'). The difference in intention between the ma'mum and the imam does not cause harm, and performing qiyam al-layl with witr is considered valid by some scholars.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/168670
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 168670
- 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