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
Taharah (Ritual Purity)
The state of ritual purity, which is a prerequisite for prayer.
Wilayah (Divine Authority)
The concept of divine authority and leadership in Shia Islam.
Salat al-Mayyit (Funeral Prayer)
The prayer for the deceased, performed before the burial.
Barakah (Blessing)
Divine blessing and abundance, obtained through worship and good deeds.
Mutahhirat (Purifying Agents)
The agents and methods that purify impure things according to Shia fiqh.
Fajr (Dawn Prayer)
The first of the five daily prayers, performed at dawn.