Witr

[Truthseeker]

Assalamu alaikum Sheikh,

during odd nights of last ten nights, if one wants to offer more nawafil later during the night, shall he leave the witr behind the imam after taraweeh or offer witr behind imam although he has complete intention of praying more nafil later.

[Aslam AbuIsmaeel]

Wa alaikumusalaam wa rahmatullah

The person can pray the witr behind the Imam and pray more later or instead leave the witr for later part of night - both are permissible.  Sheikh Ibn Utheimeen and others said it is better to pray witr with Imam and pray more later on in night.  This because the Prophet said whoever prayed with Imam until he finishes and turns away (to leave) has the reward of praying all night, as I mentioned I think in the Ramadan Knights notes in more detail with hadith and explanation of point from it.

Wassalamu alaikum

[Blessed Muslimah]

Asalamu aleykum ya sheikh,

Is it ok to make your own dua during witr prayer
whilst the imaam is also making a dua if you dont understand
arabic??

JazakaAllahu kheyr in advance
May Allah protect you and preserve you. Ameen.

[Aslam AbuIsmaeel]

Wa alaikumusalaam wa rahmatullah

No, while the Imam is doing a dua loudly and collectively in prayer, we ought to not do our own dua by ourselves behind at the same time as Imam.

The Prophet (s) directed us to follow the Imam.  Therefore, when he does dua loudly for the jama'ah, we ought to do ta'meen with the dua of the Imam, just as we remain quiet while Imam recites fatihah and do Ameen after that.  Even those scholars who said to recite Surah fatiha said to do so after he completes his recitation, not simultaneously.  Also, the Prophet forbade the companions from reciting behind him while he was reciting and directed them to remain silent, otherwise that would distract him and said to them that Imam's recitation is theirs too.

So, all these suggest that while Imam is doing dua, even if we do not understand his dua, but we join in and say Ameen, meaning O Allah answer the dua!

And Allah knows best.

Wassalamu alaikum