When to do Qunut
21-5-2002 | IslamWeb
Question:
There are some Hadiths in Sahih Muslim which mentions that the Qunut is Sunnah? Do we have to do it for every prayer?
Answer:
Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the World; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions.
As a rule, al-Qunut is Sunnah in al-Witr prayer. This is the opinion of Imam Ahmad and others. It is better to make al-Qunut before Ruku', although it is acceptable to be after Ruku'.
Humaid reported that when Anas was asked about al-Qunut in al-Fajr (morning) prayer said: "We were used to making al-Qunut before and after Ruku'" . [ Ibn Majah ].
As for al-Qunut in al-Fajr prayer, there is disagreement among Muslim scholars concerning this issue.
Imams Ahmad and Abu Hanifa (May Allah's Mercy be upon them both) believe that it is not a Sunnah to make al-Qunut in al-Fajr prayer or any other prayer except al-Witr.
Muslim reported that "Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) make al-Qunut for one month praying against an Arab tribe, and then, he stopped" .
Abu Malik said to his father: 'You prayed with Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam), Abu Bakr , 'Umar , Uthman and with 'Ali here in Kufa for five years. Did they make al-Qunut in al-Fajr?' His father replied: 'O my son! Are you an innovator?' Reported by al-Tirmizi and said: 'It is a good and sound Hadith'. Most scholars follow such a rule.
Imams Malik and al-Shafi'e believe that it is a Sunnah to make al-Qunut in al-Fajr prayer at all times.
Anas said: "Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) was used to making al-Qunut in al-Fajr prayer Till breathed his last". [Reported by Ahmad ].
'Umar was used to al-Qunut in the presence of the Prophet's (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) companions and others.
Here, we state that such a difference in opinion must be respected. In addition, it is a Sunnah to make Sujud al-Sahoo (forgetful prostration) for one who does not make al-Qunut according to Imam al-Shafi'e .
Allah knows best.