Should I Complete Witr with the Imam or Stand Up to Add Another Rak‘ah?
Question
For Witr prayer, do I need to complete the tashahhud with the imam, or is it permissible to stand back up after the sajdah and pray an additional rak‘ah?
Answer
Alhamdulillah, wassalatu wassalamu ala rasulillah, wa ala alihi wa sahbihi ajmain.
1. The Shari Context
Witr is a confirmed Sunnah prayer prayed at night, and the Prophet peace be upon him encouraged completing the night prayer with the imam. He said:
“Whoever prays with the imam until he finishes, it will be recorded for him as if he prayed the entire night.”
Sunan al Tirmidhi
Witr is normally prayed as an odd number of rakahs. The question arises when a person intends to pray additional night prayer later and wonders whether to complete Witr with the imam or make it even by adding one rakah.
2. Scholarly Discussion
The four madhahib agree that Witr is concluded with taslim as an odd-numbered prayer. They also agree that it is recommended to end one’s night prayer with Witr.
However, the scholars discussed the case of someone who prays Witr with the imam in congregation during Ramadan but intends to pray later in the night.
The majority of scholars permit two approaches:
- To complete Witr fully with the imam and not pray another Witr later. If one prays later, he prays in pairs without repeating Witr. This is supported by the hadith:
“There are not two Witrs in one night.”
Sunan Abi Dawud
- To stand after the imam finishes the third rakah and add one rakah, thereby making it even. This allows the person to pray Witr later at the end of the night.
Both approaches are found in classical juristic discussions and are considered valid. The key is not to pray two separate Witrs in the same night.
3. Application to the Question
If you intend not to pray later at night, then you should complete Witr with the imam, including tashahhud and taslim. This fulfills the Sunnah and gains the reward mentioned in the hadith.
If you intend to wake up later for additional night prayer and want to end your prayer with Witr at that time, then it is permissible to stand after the imam’s taslim and add one rakah, making your earlier Witr even.
You should not interrupt the imam before taslim. Rather, wait until the imam completes the prayer, then stand to add your extra rakah.
Both choices are valid. The better option depends on what you realistically expect to do during the night. If you are unsure whether you will wake up, completing Witr with the imam is safer and more rewarding.
4. Relevant Usul Principle
المشقة تجلب التيسير
Hardship brings about facilitation
Sharia allows flexibility in voluntary worship when hardship or practical difficulty exists. Since night prayer is voluntary, one may choose the method that best helps maintain consistency without undue difficulty.
Final Ruling
You may either complete Witr fully with the imam, including tashahhud and taslim, or stand after the imam finishes and add one rakah to make it even if you intend to pray later. Both are valid. If you do not strongly intend to wake up later, it is better to complete Witr with the imam.
And Allah knows best.