[Q 580] Ruling on Hanafi Witr Behind Shafi‘i Imam

QUESTION:

Praying Witr behind the Imams of the haramain who pray with salaam after 2 Rakat and then add another Rakat. What is the ruling on a Hanafi’s prayer if he joins this Jamaat?

ANSWER:

If the Imam gives salaam after two Rak‘ats in Witr, then it is not correct for a Hanafi to follow him.

It is mentioned in البحر الرائق شرح كنز الدقائق:

“ان المذهب الصحيح صحة الإقتداء بالشافعي في الوتر إن لم يسلم على رأس الركعتين وعدمها إن سلم”

Meaning: The correct opinion in the madhhab (madhhab: school of jurisprudence) is that following a Shafi‘i Imam in Witr is valid provided he does not give salaam at the end of two Rak‘ats; however, if he gives salaam after two Rak‘ats, then following him is not valid.

(Al-Bahr al-Rā’iq Sharh Kanz al-Daqā’iq, Volume 2, Book of Salah, Chapter: Witr and Nawafil, Page 70, Dar al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyyah, Beirut)

Answered by: Hafiz Jahanzaib (Ask Mufti Scholar)
Translated Answer
Date: 13th March 2026.