What does Witr mean?
The odd-numbered prayer that closes the night prayers, most often one or three rak'ah.
Witr explained
Witr means odd. It is prayed after Isha and before Fajr, ideally as the last prayer of the night. The Prophet ﷺ never left it, at home or on a journey, and the Hanafi school counts it as wajib while others count it as an emphasised sunnah.
Related terms
- Ishaعِشَاء
The night prayer, four rak'ah, once the red twilight has gone.
- Tahajjudتَهَجُّد
Voluntary prayer in the depth of the night, after sleeping.
- Qunutقُنُوت
A du'a made standing in prayer, most often in Witr.
- Sunnahسُنَّة
The way of the Prophet ﷺ: his sayings, actions and approvals. Also, a recommended act.
Questions about Witr
What does Witr mean?
Witr (وِتْر, Witr) means: The odd-numbered prayer that closes the night prayers, most often one or three rak'ah.
How is Witr written and pronounced in Arabic?
It is written وِتْر and pronounced Witr.
Where does Witr come from in the Quran or hadith?
Witr means odd. It is prayed after Isha and before Fajr, ideally as the last prayer of the night. The Prophet ﷺ never left it, at home or on a journey, and the Hanafi school counts it as wajib while others count it as an emphasised sunnah. Source: Sahih al-Bukhari 998.
Practice with the full Quran, word by word, in the Barakah Life app
Every term here is something Barakah does: prayer times to the minute, a qibla you can trust, du'as with audio, the Quran word by word, tasbih, zakat, and a guide for Jumu'ah itself.
Get the Barakah app