Is the Witr Prayer Mandatory?

Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam

Question: Assalam alaykum

Is the witr prayer mandatory and do I have to make it up if I haven’t prayed it?

Answer: Wa alaikum assalam wa rahmatullah,

Yes, the Hanafi school deems the witr prayer to be operationally obligatory (fard ‘amali). Consequently, if it is missed, it needs to be made up. It is reported that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Whoever misses the witr prayer due to sleep or forgetfulness should perform it when he recalls it.” [Tirmidhi]

Please also see: What is the Proof for the Hanafi Method of Witr? and: Should I Make up Missed Witr Prayers? and: Praying Witr After Tahajjud & Make-Up’s

And Allah Most High knows best.

wassalam,
[Ustadh] Tabraze Azam

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Ustadh Tabraze Azam holds a BSc in Computer Science from the University of Leicester, where he also served as the President of the Islamic Society. He memorised the entire Qur’an in his hometown of Ipswich at the tender age of sixteen, and has since studied the Islamic Sciences in traditional settings in the UK, Jordan and Turkey. He is currently pursuing advanced studies in Jordan, where he is presently based with his family.