What is the validity of intending the Witr prayer mid-prayer after starting with voluntary prayer?

Chapter on the Times When Prayer is Prohibited

Al-Mughni

Book of Prayer

Book 3 · Issue 4 · Bab 9

Open in Qurani

Primary text

It is invalid to change the intention of a voluntary rak'ah mid-prayer to make it the Witr rak'ah, as this constitutes changing the intention ('قلب نيته'). One must commence the Witr prayer with the specific intention of Witr.