The Witr prayer is practically the last prayer of the day, except for those who intend to wake up again for Tahajjud prayer in the later part of the night. In that case, Witr prayer is not performed before sleeping; rather, it is prayed after the performance of Tahajjud prayer. In both cases, the Witr prayer becomes the last prayer for the day. It is a concluding prayer and the final act of worship before ending the day. That's why it holds great significance in Islam and is one of the most emphasized prayers by the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ. Witr is an Arabic word, which translates to “Odd”. The prayer named “Witr" is therefore performed in an odd number of Ra’kahs, i.e., 1, 3, 5, or even more. Hadith 1416 of Sunan Abi Dawood narrates the significance of Witr prayer as follows:
Translation - The Prophet (ﷺ) said: Allah is single (witr) and loves what is single, so observe the witr, you who follow the Qur'an.
That makes the Witr prayer one of the most significant acts of worship in Islam, and also a beloved Sunnah act. While the performance of Witr prayer is a beloved act of worship, ending the day with remembrance (Dhikr) of Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ is also the most emphasized Sunnah of the Prophet, which he himself used to recite as part of the Dhikr and Dua after Witr prayer. The Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ used to recite a specifically worded supplication after the performance of the Witr prayer, as a final act of worship for the day. This beautiful and powerful supplication, which is also one of the greatest Dhikrs, has been reported as the routine practice of the Prophet after the Witr prayer, as mentioned in Hadith 1430 of Sunan Abi Dawood. A more detailed Hadith on this subject is available at serial 1429 of Sunan An-Nasa’i.
Translation - The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to recite in Witr: "Glorify the Name of your Lord, the Most High;" and "Say: O you disbelievers!;' and 'Say: He is Allah, (the) One.' And when he said the salam, he would say: Subhanal-Malikil-Quddus (Glory be to the Sovereign, the Most Holy) three times.".
Since then, this special post-Witr remembrance has been adopted by Muslims and is being practiced throughout the Islamic World, as an act of Sunnah. While the Witr prayer itself is not obligatory according to a vast majority of scholars, by consensus, reciting this specific Dua after finishing the Witr prayer is highly recommended by scholars to complete this Sunnah worship. This special Dua after completing Witr prayer was also practiced by the companions of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ, and this strong tradition is still in practice across the Muslim World.
It is also a strong tradition that the Prophet used to recite this dua after witr namaz, three times after salam on finishing the Witr prayer. It is also reported that he used to recite this special dua three times, while raising his voice in the last recitation, i.e., while reciting it for the third time.
Dua is the most integral part of one's connection with their Lord, and so is salah. To recite dua immediately after salam of the witr prayer is to fulfill the obligation of a wajib prayer and also to make the best of that moment by asking Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) for the acceptance of the salah and to forgive a person for any mistakes. It is important to understand the witr prayer before making dua immediately after salam of the witr prayer. Witr is a 3-rakah wajib prayer offered at the end of the Isha prayer. Witr can be offered right after Isha or any time before Fajr.
After offering the final salam of salah, making dua allows a person to pause for a brief moment and connect with the Lord by seeking His forgiveness and all that one wants in life. Making dua immediately after praying is an opportunity for a Muslim to extend their gratitude and ask Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) for his kindness and to draw strength for all the challenges one has in their life. This is also when one can pray for their loved ones, the Muslim community, and the world's greater good. A strong chain of narration signifies that making dua immediately after salam of the witr prayer was the practice of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) as reported in [Hisn al-Muslim,119].
Prayer Duas
Subhaanal-Malikil-Quddoosi.(1)Rabbil-malaa'ikati warroohi.(2)
Glory is to the King, the Holy. (Three times and raise and extend the voice on the third time and say...)(1)Lord of the angels and the Spirit.(2)
Arabic text of the authentic Dua to be recited after salam in Witr prayer, as mentioned in 1429 of Sunan An-Nasa’i, is as follows:
سُبْحَانَ الْمَلِكِ الْقُدُّوسِ
The above-mentioned Hadith also narrates that the Prophet used to recite this Dua after Witr namaz three times.
Subhana al-Malikil-Quddus
Glory be to the Sovereign, the Most Holy
This powerful supplication comprises three words, “Subhan”, “Al-Malik”, and “Al-Quddus”. When we say Subhan, we are actually glorifying Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ, while acknowledging that He is the perfect, free of any flaws, weaknesses, and imperfections. The word Al-Malik can be translated to "The King", implying here that Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ is the Absolute Ruler, and He is the Owner of everything in this Universe, including the earth, the skies, and everything between them. The third word, Al-Quddus, means "The Most Holy", or "The Purest”. By saying this word in this special supplication, the reciter, while praising Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ, also admits that He is completely Perfect, and Free from any Defects, and also that He is the Purest One. In simple words, the supplication means “Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ is perfectly flawless and purest; He is the Supreme King, and He is the Holiest One.
Reciting Dua after saying Salam on completion of Witr Salah holds great virtues and spiritual significance, as summarized here:
As the name suggests, the supplication is to be recited immediately after one has completed the witr prayer. One can recite the prayer while sitting on their prayer mat right after the salam but with the intention that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) is All-Hearing. The supplication should be made with a full heart and full faith in Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى). A supplication that is made with pure intent and fullness of the heart holds great significance.
Some of the most important etiquettes of reciting Dua after Salam of the Witr prayer are summarized here:
There are numerous benefits of the dua, and making it right after the witr prayer helps establish a close connection of a believer with their Lord. It allows one to reflect and ask Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) for not just his closeness but also for His forgiveness, for his protection, and for Him to sustain the affairs of a person. The benefits also include opening the heart and allowing one to draw closer to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) as we pray with our faith that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) is listening to our prayers and He knows what is in concealed in the hearts.
The most authentic Dua is "Subhana al-Malikil-Quddus” (سُبْحَانَ الْمَلِكِ الْقُدُّوسِ), which should be recited thrice after completion of the Witr prayer.
No, Dua Qunoot is a separate Dua, which needs to be recited in the last Rak’ah of Witr prayer, whereas the specific Dua for recitation after the completion of the Witr prayer is another Dua, as recommended in Hadith, i.e., سُبْحَانَ الْمَلِكِ الْقُدُّوسِ “Subhana al-Malikil-Quddus”. Never confuse these Duas with each other; recite them at their specific times.
Yes, making personal Duas is allowed anytime you may like to, but do not make it a part of the prayer or specific Duas, which are recommended for recitation after a certain prayer. You can complete the Witr prayer and then make the specific dua, as recommended in Hadith. After that, you can make your personal Duas, as per your requirement.
Although not mandatory, it is highly recommended by the majority of scholars to raise hands when making any of the Duas, including dua after the Witr prayer.
No, recitation of a specific Dua after completion of the Witr prayer is not obligatory. However, it is a highly virtuous act, as it is a Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ. Reciting this Dua after the Witr prayer brings huge rewards, as following an act of Sunnah brings special rewards for the reciter.