Standing Before the Imam’s Tashahhud in Witr to Avoid Two Tashahhuds: Is There Evidence?
Question
The question that my mother wanted clarification on was regarding following the imam. She learned in an online Islamic institute class that when praying two rak‘ahs, it is not recommended to have tashahhud twice. Based on this, she was taught that if one is praying behind an imam who is praying Witr, but intends to pray more later in the night, then instead of completing the prayer with the imam, one may stand up after the second sajdah (before tashahhud) and complete it as two rak‘ahs, in order to avoid doing tashahhud twice and to keep Witr as the last prayer of the night. This would mean she would not finish with the imam.
Is there any evidence for this?
Answer
Alhamdulillah, wassalatu wassalamu ala rasulillah, wa ala alihi wa sahbihi ajmain.
1. The Shari Context
The Prophet peace be upon him said:
“The imam is only appointed to be followed, so do not differ with him.”
Sahih al Bukhari and Sahih Muslim
And he said regarding night prayer:
“Whoever prays with the imam until he finishes, it will be recorded for him as if he prayed the entire night.”
Sunan al Tirmidhi
He also said:
“There are not two Witrs in one night.”
Sunan Abi Dawud
These texts establish three principles:
- The obligation of following the imam.
- The virtue of completing the prayer with the imam.
- The prohibition of performing two separate Witrs in one night.
2. Scholarly Discussion
The four madhahib agree that it is not legislated to oppose the imam in actions without valid reason. Deliberately separating from the imam without necessity contradicts the instruction to follow him.
Regarding the issue of praying more later in the night after praying Witr with the imam, the scholars mention two established and accepted approaches:
- Complete Witr with the imam and do not repeat Witr later. If one wakes up later, he prays in sets of two without performing another Witr. This is supported by the hadith prohibiting two Witrs.
- Complete Witr with the imam, then after the imam makes taslim, stand and add one rakah to make it even. This way, the earlier prayer becomes even-numbered, and the person may perform Witr later at the end of the night.
This second method is mentioned by classical scholars and practiced by many contemporary scholars. Importantly, in this method the person does not leave before the imam finishes. Rather, he follows the imam fully and then stands after taslim.
As for standing up before the imam sits for tashahhud (after the second sajdah) in order to convert the prayer into two rakahs and avoid “two tashahhuds,” this is not the method described in the books of fiqh. It involves deliberately leaving the imam before completion without necessity.
The claim that having two tashahhuds in two rakahs is disliked is correct in its proper context (meaning intentionally adding an extra tashahhud in a two-rakah prayer). However, that does not apply to Witr behind an imam. The structure of Witr is established, and following the imam takes precedence.
There is no known clear textual evidence from the Sunnah or recognized fiqh positions supporting standing before the imam’s tashahhud in this scenario.
3. Application to the Question
If your mother intends to pray more later at night, she has two valid options:
- Complete Witr with the imam and do not pray another Witr later.
- Complete Witr with the imam, then stand after the imam’s taslim and add one rakah to make it even.
She should not stand before the imam completes the prayer in order to avoid two tashahhuds. This contradicts the instruction to follow the imam and removes the virtue of completing the prayer with him.
The concern about “two tashahhuds” does not apply here because the structure of Witr in congregation is already established, and the Prophet instructed followers to remain with the imam until he finishes.
4. Relevant Usul Principle
لا اجتهاد مع النص
There is no independent reasoning where there is clear text
The Prophet explicitly instructed followers to follow the imam and not differ from him. Therefore, personal reasoning about tashahhud structure cannot override this command.
Final Ruling
There is no recognized evidence supporting standing up before the imam’s tashahhud in Witr to avoid two tashahhuds. The correct options are to complete Witr with the imam and not repeat it later, or to complete it with the imam and then add one rakah after taslim. One should not leave the imam before he finishes.
And Allah knows best.