Peace be upon you. How does one pray the Shaf' and Witr prayer?
The Witr prayer consists of three rak'ahs: two rak'ahs for the Shaf' (even) prayer, in which one recites Surat Al-Fatihah and Surat Al-A'la in the first, and Surat Al-Fatihah and Surat Al-Kafirun in the second, then concludes with a tasleem. This is followed by a single rak'ah for the Witr (odd) prayer, in which one recites Surat Al-Fatihah and Surat Al-Ikhlas. It is permissible to pray all three rak'ahs consecutively with a single sitting for the final Tashahhud. One may also pray more than three rak'ahs, up to eleven, based on the saying of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him: "Witr is a duty upon every Muslim. Whoever wishes to pray Witr with five rak'ahs, let him do so; whoever wishes to pray Witr with three rak'ahs, let him do so; and whoever wishes to pray Witr with one rak'ah, let him do so." The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, also advised praying Witr before sleep.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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