A Heartfelt Question About Witr Prayer in the Hanafi Madhab
As-salamu alaykum everyone, I recently learned that witr prayer is obligatory for those of us who follow the Hanafi school of thought. Growing up in a South Asian family that doesn't prioritize religion, I never knew about this important aspect of our deen. All my life, my friends and I have only performed the five daily prayers - fajr, zuhr, asr, maghrib, and isha. It wasn't until now that I discovered the significance of witr prayer, and I must admit, I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed. As a woman who doesn't often visit the mosque, I've never had the opportunity to learn about witr prayer in a congregational setting. I've heard that in Ramadan, witr prayer is performed in the mosque, but I'm not sure if it's obligatory to pray it there. My question is, will Allah SWT forgive me for my unawareness of this obligation? I'm genuinely distraught about the decades of missed witr prayers, and I don't know how to make up for lost time. I plan to start praying witr from tonight, insha'Allah, but I would appreciate any advice from fellow Hanafis on how to move forward. Should I simply repent for my ignorance and continue on the right path? I'm seeking guidance and support during this difficult time.