Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

I have seen people pray 1 rakat witr for Isha prayer. Is this ok? Do we have to pray 3 rakat or can we pray just 1 rakat? 

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

How many raka’ahs in Witr prayer?

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

The Messenger of Allah (saws) used to pray the witr prayers in a number of two rakah formations, and then end the prayer with one or three rakah of witr. At times he (saws) prayed five two rakah formations, and then one witr; at times he prayed 4 two rakah formations and 3 rakahs of witr with only one tasleem; at times he prayed a five rakah combination together with only one tasleem, etc. But the Messenger of Allah (saws) never prayed one rakah of witr alone after the Isha or night prayer. He always preceded this one rakah with a two or more rakah formation.

Thus if one prays only one rakah after the Isha prayer as witr prayers, it would be incorrect. It is permissible to pray one rakah of witr, only if this one rakah is preceded by one or more two rakah combinations.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your Brother in Islam,

Burhan