Can A Hanafi Pray Witr Behind A Shafi`i?

Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Question: Can a Hanafi pray Witr behind a Shafi`i?

Answer: I pray this finds you in the best of health and spirits.

I consulted a number of leading Hanafi scholars, including Mufti Rafi Usmani (Grand Mufti of Pakistan), about this. They stated that it is permitted for Hanafis to pray witr behind Shafiis even if it differs from the Hanafi way of praying three rakats — such as praying two-plus-one. This is based on a followable position within the Hanafi school that what is taken into consideration is the imam’s prayer regarding the validity of his prayer.

And Allah alone gives success.

Faraz Rabbani