No, it is not mandatory to pray Witr after Tahajjud. However, they are often performed together as they are both nawafil (optional) prayers.
Understanding Witr and Tahajjud
- Witr: A special prayer performed in the last third of the night, consisting of one, three, or five rak'ahs. It is a sunnah muakkadah (highly recommended) prayer for all Muslims.
- Tahajjud: A voluntary prayer performed after the night prayer (Isha), before dawn. It is a sunnah (recommended) prayer.
Flexibility in Performing Witr
Muslims have the flexibility to perform Witr at any time between the Isha prayer and dawn. They can choose to pray Witr before, after, or even during Tahajjud. The main point is to ensure that Witr is completed before the Fajr prayer.
Example
A person may choose to perform Tahajjud for a few rak'ahs, then complete their Witr prayer afterwards. Another person may perform Tahajjud for a longer duration and then pray Witr right before dawn. Both approaches are acceptable.
Conclusion
While both Witr and Tahajjud are highly recommended prayers, there is no strict requirement to perform Witr specifically after Tahajjud. Muslims can choose the most convenient time to perform Witr, ensuring it is completed before the Fajr prayer.
