إدريس عبدالله
_22 _June _2015هـ الموافق 22-06-2015م, 01:45 PM
Fifth: the Qunut
Saying the Qunut in witr prayer was not reported in any hadith from the Prophet-peace be upon him. Imam Ahmad said: “nothing authentic was reported on it from the Prophet-peace be upon him.”
Imam Ibn Khuzaima also said: “I do not memorize any authentic narration from the Prophet-peace be upon him- concerning Qunut in witr” except that it was reported from companions of the Prophet-may Allah be pleased with them like Ata said when he was asked about qunut: the companions of the prophet used to observe it. it was also reported that some companions of the prophet don’t observe it except by the middle of Ramadan, this was reported from ibn Umar.
Imam Zuhri said: “no qunut was reported in all the sunnah of the prophet except in the last half of Ramadan” (reported by Abdurrazak in his book musanaf). Imam Abu Dawud said: I said to Ahmad: should we say qunut in witr all through the year? He said: if you like. I said: what do you suggest? He said: as for me I do not say qunut except in the last half of Ramadan, except when I pray behind an imam who says qunut so I follow him in it.”
Ibn wahab also narrated from malik concerning qunut in ramadan that he said it should be done in the last half of the month. This is the view of imam shafi’ee-may Allah be pleased with him. Another view from him says that it is recommended to say qunut throughout the year. This is also another narration from Imam Ahmad. An-Nawawee said: this second view is strong because of the hadith of Alhasan bin Ali-may Allah be pleased with them.
This is questionable from two perspectives:
First: there is no authentic narration from the Prophet on this matter according to Imam Ahmad and others. Hence, to say that an act not performed by the prophet is recommended is questionable. There are many hadith of the prophet describing his witr and none of mentions qunut especially, considering the fact that these hadith were reported by those very close to the prophet like Aisha-may Allah be pleased with her. So, if the prophet used to observe qunut throughout the year or anyone knows about it, it would have been reported.
Secondly: the proof of those who argue that saying qunut throughout the year is recommended is the hadith of Hasan bin Ali. He said: the prophet taught me word to say in qunut of witr: “O Allah guide me among those whom you have guided, pardon me among those whom you have pardoned, turn to me in friendship and make me among those you have turned to in friendship, bless me in what h you have bestowed on me, protect me from the evil of what you have decreed, for indeed you decree and nobody influences you, whoever you befriend is not humiliated, blessed are you O Lord, and Exalted.” (Reported by Ahmad). However, Imam Ahmad narrated the same hadith with a better chain of narration without the addition of (qunut of witr).
We also mentioned above the statement of Imam Ahmad that there is no authentic narration from the Prophet concerning qunut except that it was observed by some companions of the Prophet, even though they differed among themselves should it be throughout the year or not, and the truth is that it is recommended sometimes. It is even more preferable to leave most of the time, and the common practice of some imams who do it always is wrong and contradictory to the teachings of the Prophet. You should also know that it is permissible to do qunut with any supplication without transgression, or melody and the likes which have been innovated lately with no basis from the Quran and sunnah. Rather, they are just individual discretions which have led to abandoning what is legitimate and following whims and caprices. This wrong act has also led to other questionable acts such as; prolonging supplication and exaggerating it to the extent of discomforting the followers of the imam in the prayer and makes them bored, and hate the situation.
Saying the Qunut in witr prayer was not reported in any hadith from the Prophet-peace be upon him. Imam Ahmad said: “nothing authentic was reported on it from the Prophet-peace be upon him.”
Imam Ibn Khuzaima also said: “I do not memorize any authentic narration from the Prophet-peace be upon him- concerning Qunut in witr” except that it was reported from companions of the Prophet-may Allah be pleased with them like Ata said when he was asked about qunut: the companions of the prophet used to observe it. it was also reported that some companions of the prophet don’t observe it except by the middle of Ramadan, this was reported from ibn Umar.
Imam Zuhri said: “no qunut was reported in all the sunnah of the prophet except in the last half of Ramadan” (reported by Abdurrazak in his book musanaf). Imam Abu Dawud said: I said to Ahmad: should we say qunut in witr all through the year? He said: if you like. I said: what do you suggest? He said: as for me I do not say qunut except in the last half of Ramadan, except when I pray behind an imam who says qunut so I follow him in it.”
Ibn wahab also narrated from malik concerning qunut in ramadan that he said it should be done in the last half of the month. This is the view of imam shafi’ee-may Allah be pleased with him. Another view from him says that it is recommended to say qunut throughout the year. This is also another narration from Imam Ahmad. An-Nawawee said: this second view is strong because of the hadith of Alhasan bin Ali-may Allah be pleased with them.
This is questionable from two perspectives:
First: there is no authentic narration from the Prophet on this matter according to Imam Ahmad and others. Hence, to say that an act not performed by the prophet is recommended is questionable. There are many hadith of the prophet describing his witr and none of mentions qunut especially, considering the fact that these hadith were reported by those very close to the prophet like Aisha-may Allah be pleased with her. So, if the prophet used to observe qunut throughout the year or anyone knows about it, it would have been reported.
Secondly: the proof of those who argue that saying qunut throughout the year is recommended is the hadith of Hasan bin Ali. He said: the prophet taught me word to say in qunut of witr: “O Allah guide me among those whom you have guided, pardon me among those whom you have pardoned, turn to me in friendship and make me among those you have turned to in friendship, bless me in what h you have bestowed on me, protect me from the evil of what you have decreed, for indeed you decree and nobody influences you, whoever you befriend is not humiliated, blessed are you O Lord, and Exalted.” (Reported by Ahmad). However, Imam Ahmad narrated the same hadith with a better chain of narration without the addition of (qunut of witr).
We also mentioned above the statement of Imam Ahmad that there is no authentic narration from the Prophet concerning qunut except that it was observed by some companions of the Prophet, even though they differed among themselves should it be throughout the year or not, and the truth is that it is recommended sometimes. It is even more preferable to leave most of the time, and the common practice of some imams who do it always is wrong and contradictory to the teachings of the Prophet. You should also know that it is permissible to do qunut with any supplication without transgression, or melody and the likes which have been innovated lately with no basis from the Quran and sunnah. Rather, they are just individual discretions which have led to abandoning what is legitimate and following whims and caprices. This wrong act has also led to other questionable acts such as; prolonging supplication and exaggerating it to the extent of discomforting the followers of the imam in the prayer and makes them bored, and hate the situation.