The Practising Muslim · Voluntary Worship

Guidelines for Voluntary Night Worship

Understanding actions and rewards in optional night prayers.

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1. What should someone do if they intended two rak‘ahs of voluntary night prayer but stood for a third rak‘ah by mistake?

  • Sit down when they remember, complete the ending, perform sujud as-sahw, and say tasleem. (correct answer)
  • Continue to four rak‘ahs and count it as Witr.
  • Treat the mistaken rak‘ah as the one-rak‘ah Witr.
  • Repeat the entire night prayer from the beginning.

Why

Voluntary night prayer is prayed two rak‘ahs by two. If a person intended two rak‘ahs and accidentally stood for a third, they should sit down as soon as they remember. If they already recited tashahhud, they do not need to repeat it unless something remains, such as sending blessings upon the Prophet ﷺ. They then perform sujud as-sahw and say tasleem. They should still pray one rak‘ah of Witr afterward if needed to make their night prayer odd-numbered.

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2. What may someone do if they pray behind the imam but want their own Witr to be at the end of the night?

  • Stand after the imam’s salam and add one rak‘ah, then pray Witr later. (correct answer)
  • Pray a second Witr later in the night.
  • Stop praying Tarawih with the imam in every case.
  • Wait until after Fajr to pray Witr.

Why

A person may combine praying Tarawih with the imam and praying Tahajjud later. One option is to pray Witr with the imam, then pray later two rak‘ahs by two without repeating Witr. Another option is to stand after the imam’s salam in Witr and add one rak‘ah, so that the prayer with the imam becomes even-numbered, then pray Witr at the end of the night.

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3. What is the recommended practice for the last prayer at night?

  • To make Witr the last prayer. (correct answer)
  • To make a regular two-rak‘ah nafl prayer the final prayer every night.
  • To repeat Witr if one prays again later.
  • To pray one rak‘ah as ordinary nafl prayer, not Witr.

Why

It is recommended, not obligatory, to make Witr the last prayer at night. Praying after Witr is permissible, as shown by the Prophet ﷺ praying two rak‘ahs after Witr on some occasions to show permissibility. If someone prays Witr early and later wakes for night prayer, they may pray two rak‘ahs by two and should not repeat Witr, because there are not two Witr prayers in one night.

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4. How are voluntary night prayers and Witr generally structured?

  • Pray night prayers two rak‘ahs by two, then end with one rak‘ah of Witr. (correct answer)
  • Pray all the rak‘ahs continuously without tasleem.
  • Pray Witr twice if one prays again later.
  • Delay Tahajjud and Witr until after the adhan of Fajr.

Why

Qiyam al-layl may include prayer, Qur’an, dhikr, and other acts of worship at night. Tahajjud refers to voluntary night prayer, and it is prayed two rak‘ahs by two. The worshipper then ends with one rak‘ah of Witr to make the total odd-numbered. Witr should be completed before Fajr, and the best time is the end of the night for the one who is confident they will wake up.

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5. Where is it generally better to offer voluntary prayers?

  • At home, except prayers prescribed or encouraged in congregation or in the mosque. (correct answer)
  • Only in the mosque in every case.
  • Only at home even when congregation is prescribed.
  • Wherever people will see the prayer most clearly.

Why

Voluntary prayers are generally better at home because that is closer to sincerity, brings blessing to the home, and prevents the home from becoming like a place empty of prayer. Exceptions include prayers that are prescribed in congregation in the mosque, such as the eclipse prayer, or prayers encouraged in the mosque, such as nafl prayer before Jumu‘ah.

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6. Which voluntary prayer is specifically mentioned as Sunnah to make brief?

  • The two rak‘ahs before Fajr. (correct answer)
  • The eclipse prayer.
  • Qiyam al-layl in general.
  • Every nafl prayer without exception.

Why

Some nafl prayers are Sunnah to make brief, including the two rak‘ahs before Fajr, Tahiyyat al-Masjid when the imam is delivering the Friday khutbah, the opening two rak‘ahs of night prayer, and the two rak‘ahs after tawaf. Some nafl prayers are Sunnah to make lengthy, such as the eclipse prayer and Qiyam al-layl. For other nafl prayers, a person may do what helps them focus more.

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7. What is the reward for praying a voluntary prayer while sitting when one is able to stand?

  • Half the reward of praying while standing. (correct answer)
  • No reward at all.
  • The same reward as standing in every case.
  • Double the reward of standing.

Why

A voluntary prayer offered while sitting is valid even without an excuse, but if the person is able to stand, the reward is half that of praying while standing. If a person sits because they are unable to stand, the reward is not reduced. In voluntary prayer, it is also permissible to stand for part of a rak‘ah and sit for part of it.

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8. If someone prays Tarawih while sitting because they are unable to stand, what happens to their reward?

  • Their reward is not reduced. (correct answer)
  • Their reward is always half of standing.
  • Their prayer is invalid because Tarawih must be prayed standing.
  • They are sinful for sitting in a voluntary prayer.

Why

A voluntary prayer while sitting is valid. If someone is able to stand but chooses to sit in a nafl prayer, their reward is half that of standing. But if they sit because they are unable to stand, their reward is not reduced. It is also permissible in voluntary prayer to stand for part of a rak‘ah and sit for part of it.

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9. If someone sincerely intends to pray qiyam al-layl but is prevented by something beyond their control, what may they hope for?

  • The reward of qiyam, because of their sincere intention and effort. (correct answer)
  • No reward, because the prayer was not performed.
  • Reward only if they ignore the valid need preventing them.
  • Proof that Allah is angry with them.

Why

Qiyam al-layl is a great act of worship, and missing it should matter to a believer. But if a person sincerely intends it, resolves to get up, takes the means, and is then prevented by a valid impediment such as a crying child, they may hope for the reward. The believer should think positively of Allah and not assume that being prevented means Allah is angry with them.

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A note on these answers

These questions are for learning and self-testing. Explanations are drawn from the sources linked on each question and are not a fatwa. For a ruling on your own circumstances, please consult a qualified scholar.

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