Performing Qunut before or after Ruku'

Q. In the Salah of Witr, some people recite Qunut after the Ruku' of the third Rak'aat, contrary to the practice of the majority of Muslims. Can you explain when exactly should Qunut be recited?

A: There are two types of Qunut:

1. Qunut, which is the Du'a that is made in the third Rak'aat of Salaat-ul-Witr, commonly called Du'a-e-Qunut; and
2. Qunut Naazila, which is a Du'a that is made in times of difficulty that affect the Muslim community in general. This Du'a is made in the obligatory Salahs (Farz), especially in that of Fajr.

Unfortunately, some people, due to lack of knowledge, cannot differentiate between the Qunut of Salaat-ul-Witr and the Qunut Naazila.

The following explanations will dispel, Insha Allah, any confusion and will clarify for those who truly desire to see clearly.

Hadhrat Anas (Radiyallaahu Anhu) reports that following a request made by four Arab tribes, namely Ri'l, Zakwaan, Usaiya, and Banu Lih'yaan, Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) sent 70 Ansaar, who were fine "qurra" (those who recite the Qur'an well and correctly). However, these four tribes acted dishonestly. They attacked the 70 Qaari near a well called "Ma'unah" and murdered them all. Distressed by this tragic event, Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) started cursing these four tribes in the Salah of Fajr, and this lasted for a month.

This event took place at the end of the third year of Hijrah. This Hadith is reported in Bukhari Sharif, Muslim Sharif, and other books of Hadith.

On the authority of Hadhrat 'Abdullah Bin 'Umar (Radiyallahu anhu) and Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (Radiyallahu anhu), Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) used to curse this or that tribe in the second Rak'aat of the Salah of Fajr after the Ruku'.

Nevertheless, this practice did not last long because Allah Ta'ala revealed verse 128 of Surah Aal-e-'Imran, which reads as follows:

"You have no choice in the matter. He shall grant them the ability to repent or He may punish them for they are indeed oppressors."

According to Hadhrat Khaalid Bin Abi 'Imran (Radiyallahu anhu), Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) stopped cursing the unjust following this revelation. Instead of cursing them, Allah Ta'ala commanded Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) to recite "Allaahumma Inna nastai'nuka...."

According to Bukhari Sharif and Muslim Sharif, it is concerning this same Qunut, i.e. the Qunut in the Salah of Fajr, that Hadhrat Anas (Radiyallahu anhu) reported that this practice of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) lasted for only one month and then he abandoned it.

In the light of this Hadith, it is evident that Qunut in the Salah of Fajr was not a permanent practice. On the contrary, it was reserved for specific occasions, in other words, it was occasional. The Ahaadith mentioned below confirm this fact:

Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (Radiyallahu anhu) said:

"Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) did not practice Qunut except when he made Du'as for or against a people." (Ibn Hibbaan)

According to Bukhari Sharif, that illustrious Sahaabi (Radiyallahu anhu), Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (Radiyallahu anhu) further reported:

"When Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) would make Du'as for or against a people, he would make Qunut after Ruku'."

In turn, Hadhrat Anas (Radiyallahu anhu) reported in Sahih Ibn Khuzaimah:

"Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) would not make Qunut except when he made Du'as for or against a people."

This Hadith is very similar to that of Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (Radiyallahu anhu) mentioned above.

In light of the aforementioned Ahadeeth, it is therefore established that Qunut Naazila, i.e. Qunut in the Salah of Fajr, was not a permanent practice.

Concerning the regular performance of Qunut in the Salah of Fajr, Hadhrat Maalik-Al-Ash-Jai (Radiyallahu anhu) has described it as an innovation. Indeed, his son Hadhrat Abu Maalik (Rahimahullah) asked him the following question:

"You performed Salah behind Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam), Hadhrat Abu Bakr (Radiyallahu anhu), Hadhrat 'Umar (Radiyallahu anhu), Hadhrat 'Usmaan (Radiyallahu anhu), and here in Kufa behind Hadhrat 'Ali (Radiyallahu anhu) for five years. Have you seen them performing Qunut?"

Hadhrat Malik Al-Ash-Jai (Radiyallahu Anhu) replied:

"O my son, this is 'muhdath' (innovation)." (Tirmizi)

In the light of a Hadith reported by Ibn Majah, it appears that the Qunut qualified as innovation refers to the Qunut that was done in the Salah of Fajr, i.e., the Qunut Naazila.

So, as we have seen, the practice of Qunut after the Ruku' in the Salah of Fajr was occasional. It is for this reason that Hadhrat 'Abdullah Bin 'Umar (Radiyallahu Anhu) said:

"I have not seen anyone who practiced it." (Tahaawi - Mu'atta Imam Malik)

On the other hand, reciting Qunut in the Salah of Witr was a regular practice of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam), and it was done before the Ruku' of the third Rak'aat. And it is about this Qunut that Hadhrat Anas (Radiyallahu Anhu) said, according to Bukhari, Muslim, etc., that it was practiced before the Ruku'. The following Ahaadith confirm what we are saying:

Hadhrat Ubay Bin Ka'b (Radiyallahu Anhu) reported:

"Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) used to make three Rak'aat of Witr. In the first, he would recite Surah Al-A'la, in the second Surah Al-Kaafirun, and in the third Surah Al-Ikhlaas, then he would make Qunut before the Ruku'." (Nasai)

According to Musannaf Ibn Abu Shaybah, Hadhrat 'Abdullah Bin Mas'ud (Radiyallahu Anhu) and the companions of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) used to perform Qunut before the Ruku' in the Salah of Witr. According to this same book, throughout the year Hadhrat 'Abdullah Bin Mas'ud (Radiyallahu Anhuma) did not perform Qunut in the Salah of Fajr. He performed Qunut every night before Ruku'.

According to Tabraani, Majmah, and Diraayah, Hadhrat 'Abdullah Bin Mas'ud (Radiyallahu Anhuma) did not perform Qunut in any Salah except in the Salah of Witr before Ruku'.

The mother of Hadhrat 'Abdullah Bin Mas'ud (Radiyallahu Anhuma) said:

"I saw Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) performing Qunut before Ruku' in the Salah of Witr." (Jami'ul-Masaaneed)

Hadhrat 'Abdullah Bin 'Umar (Radiyallahu Anhu) said:

"Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) used to pray three Rak'aat of Witr. And he would pray Qunut before Ruku'." (Abu Nu'aim)

Hadhrat 'Abdullah Bin 'Umar (Radiyallahu Anhuma) reported that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) used to pray three Rak'aat of Witr and Qunut was done before Ruku'. (Tabrani)

According to Juz Rafa Yadeen from Imam Bukhari, Hadhrat 'Abdullah Bin Mas'ud (Radiyallahu Anhu) used to recite Surah Al-Ikhlaas in the last Rak'aat of Witr. Then he would raise his hands and recite Qunut before Ruku'.

In Kitaab-ul-Aa'thaar of Imam Muhammad (Rahimahullah), it is said that throughout the year Hadhrat 'Abdullah Bin Mas'ud (Radiyallahu Anhuma) would do Qunut before Ruku' in Salah-ul-Witr.

There is no doubt, therefore, in light of all these Ahaadith, that Du'a-e-Qunut must be made before the Ruku' of the third Rak'aat of Witr in accordance with the practice of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam).

[English version of "Réciter le Qounoûte avant ou après le rouk'ou" – Al Haadi – Vol. 1 No. 8]