Witr (Odd-Numbered Prayer)
A strongly recommended prayer with an odd number of rak'ah, prayed after Isha.
Witr (Arabic: وتر) means "odd" and is a prayer performed with an odd number of rak'ah (1, 3, 5, 7 or 9), typically after the Isha prayer and before Fajr. Witr is strongly recommended (wajib according to the Hanafi school) and was a prayer that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) never omitted.
The most common form is three rak'ah, either prayed as a continuous three rak'ah or as two rak'ah followed by one. In the last rak'ah of Witr, the Qunut supplication (a special du'a) is typically recited after ruku.
The Prophet said: "Allah is Witr (One) and He loves Witr. So pray Witr, O followers of the Quran." Witr is the last prayer one prays at night — if one plans to pray Tahajjud, one should postpone Witr until after Tahajjud.
Related terms
Fajr (Dawn Prayer)
The first of the five daily prayers, performed at dawn.
Ruku (Bowing)
Bowing from the waist during prayer as a sign of humility.
Salat al-Tasbih (The Prayer of Glorification)
A special voluntary prayer with 300 tasbih recitations, recommended for forgiveness of sins.
Adl (God's Justice)
The doctrine of God's absolute justice — the second article of faith in Shia Islam.
Al-Kafi (The Sufficient)
The most important Shia hadith collection, with extensive chapters on prayer.
Tahajjud (Night Prayer)
The voluntary night prayer performed in the last third of the night.