What Surahs should be recited in the three Rak'ahs of Witr prayer?
Chapter on the Times When Prayer is Prohibited
Al-Mughni
Book of Prayer
Primary text
It is recommended to recite Surah Al-A'la (Sabbih) in the first Rak'ah of Witr, Surah Al-Kafirun in the second Rak'ah, and Surah Al-Ikhlas in the third Rak'ah. This view is held by Al-Thawri, Ishaq, and the Ashab al-Ra'y (Hanafi scholars). The evidence for this sequence is the Hadith narrated by Ubayy ibn Ka'b, stating that the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to recite Sabbih Ism Rabbika Al-A'la, Qul Ya Ayyuha Al-Kafirun, and Qul Huwa Allahu Ahad in his Witr prayer, as recorded by Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah. A similar narration is attributed to Ibn Abbas.
Supporting text
Al-Shafi'i holds that Surah Al-Ikhlas, Surah Al-Falaq, and Surah An-Nas should be recited in the third Rak'ah. This is also the opinion of Malik regarding Witr, although he stated he had not received any established report regarding what should be recited in the two Rak'ahs preceding Witr (Shaf'). Ahmad was questioned about reciting the Mu'awwidhatayn (Al-Falaq and An-Nas) in Witr and permitted it, based on a narration from 'A'ishah. However, the narration cited by the first opinion states that 'A'ishah narrated the Prophet (peace be upon him) recited Al-A'la in the first, Al-Kafirun in the second, and Al-Ikhlas along with the Mu'awwidhatayn in the third. Ahmad and Yahya ibn Ma'in rejected the addition of the two Mu'awwidhatayn, and the narration from 'A'ishah cited to support the addition is considered weak because it is transmitted by Yahya ibn Ayyub.