When exactly the Qunut should be recited in Salat-ul-Witr?

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

A. There are two types of Qunut:

1. The Qunut recited in the third Rak'ah of Salat-ul-Witr, commonly known as Dua-e-Qunut.
2. The Qunut Naazila, a Dua made in times of hardship affecting the Muslim community. This Dua is made in the obligatory Salahs (Farz) especially in that of Fajr.

Unfortunately, some people, due to a lack of knowledge, fail to differentiate between the Qunut of Salat-ul-Witr and Qunut Naazila. The following explanation will, Insha'Allah, clarify this and help those seeking a better understanding.

Hadhrat Anas (Radiyallahu anhu) narrates that, after a request from four Arab tribes (Ri'l, Zakwaan, Ushayya, and Banu Lih'yaan), Rasulullah (Sallallahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) sent 70 Ansar—who were skilled in reciting the Qur'an—to these tribes. However, these tribes acted treacherously, attacking and killing the Qaaris near the well of Ma'unah. Distressed by this tragic event, Rasulullah (Sallallahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) began cursing these four tribes in the Salah of Fajr. This continued for a month.

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

According to Hadhrat Abdullah bin Umar (Radiyallahu anhuma) and Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (Radiyallahu anhu), Rasulullah (Sallallahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) used to curse certain tribes in the second Rak'at of the Salah of Fajr after the Ruku.

However, afterwards, Allah Ta'ala revealed verse 128 of Surah Aal-e-Imran:

"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."

Following this revelation, Rasulullah (Sallallahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) ceased cursing them. Instead, Allah Ta'ala instructed him to recite "Allaahumma Inna Nastai'nuka..."

According to Bukhari Sharif and Muslim Sharif, it is concerning the same Qunut—specifically the Qunut in the Fajr Salah—that Hadhrat Anas (Radiyallahu anhu) reported that this practice of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) lasted for only one month before he abandoned it. In light of this Hadith, it is evident that the Qunut in the Fajr Salah was not a permanent practice. Rather, it was reserved for specific occasions; in other words, it was an occasional practice. The Ahaadith mentioned below confirm this:

Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (Radiyallahu anhu) said: "Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) did not practice Qunut except when he made Duas for or against a people." (Ibn Hibbaan)

According to Bukhari Sharif, that illustrious Sahabi (Radiyallahu anhu), Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (Radiyallahu anhu), also reported: "When Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) made Duas for or against a people, he would make Qunut after the Ruku."

In turn, Hadhrat Anas (Radiyallahu anhu) reported in Sahih Ibn Khuzaimah: "Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) did not perform Qunut except when he made Duas for or against a people."

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

From the aforementioned Ahaadith, it is clear that Qunut Naazila—i.e., the Qunut recited in the Salah of Fajr—was not a permanent practice.

Concerning the regular practice of Qunut in the Salah of Fajr, Hadhrat Maalik Al-Ash-Jai (Radiyallahu anhu) considered it an innovation (muhdath). In fact, his son Hadhrat Abu Maalik (Rahimahullah) asked him:

"You performed Salah behind Rasulullah (Sallallahu 'Alaihi Wasallam), Hadhrat Abu Bakr (Radiyallahu anhu), Hadhrat Umar (Radiyallahu anhu), Hadhrat Us'maan (Radiyallahu anhu), and in Kufa behind Hadhrat 'Ali (Radiyallahu anhu) for five years. Have you ever seen them perform Qunut?"

Hadhrat Maalik Al-Ash-Jai (Radiyallahu anhu) replied:

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

According to a Hadith reported by Ibn Majah, it seems that the Qunut described as an innovation refers to the Qunut performed in the Salah of Fajr—i.e., Qunut Naazila.

As we have observed, the practice of Qunut after Ruku in the Salah of Fajr was occasional, not regular. This is why Hadhrat Abdullah Bin Umar (Radiyallahu anhuma) said:

"I did not see anyone practicing it." (Tahaawi - Mu'atta Imam Maalik)

In contrast, the recitation of Qunut in the Salah of Witr was a regular practice of Rasulullah (Sallallahu 'Alaihi Wasallam), and it was done before the Ruku of the third Rak'ah. Furthermore, it is specifically regarding this Qunut that Hadhrat Anas (Radiyallahu anhu) stated, according to Bukhari, Muslim, and other sources, that it was performed before the Ruku.

The following Ahaadith further confirm this:

Hadhrat Ubayy Bin Ka'b (Radiyallahu anhu) reported:

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

According to Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah, Hadhrat Abdullah Bin Mas'ud (Radiyallahu anhuma) and the companions of Rasulullah (Sallallahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) used to recite Qunut before the Ruku in the Salah of Witr. According to the same book, throughout the year, Hadhrat Abdullah Bin Mas'ud (Radiyallahu anhuma) never performed Qunut in the Salah of Fajr, but would do so every night before the Ruku in Witr.

Tabrani, Majmah, and Diraayah report that Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mas'ud (Radiyallahu anhu) did not perform Qunut in any Salah except for the Salah of Witr, before the Ruku.

The mother of Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mas'ud (Radiyallahu anhu) said:

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

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Umar (Radiyallahu anhuma) said:

"Rasulullah (Sallallahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) prayed three Rak'at of Witr, and he made Qunut before the Ruku."*(Abu Nu'aim)

Hadhrat Abdullah Bin Umar (Radiyallahu anhuma) reported:

"Rasulullah (Sallallahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) used to pray three Rak'at of Witr, and the Qunut was recited before the Ruku."(Tabrani)

According to Juz Rafa Yadeen from Imam Bukhari, Hadhrat Abdullah Bin Mas'ud (Radiyallahu anhuma) would recite Surah Al-Ikhlas in the final Rak'ah of Witr, and then raise his hands and recite the Qunut before the Ruku.

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

There is no doubt, therefore, in light of all these Ahaadith, that Dua-e-Qunut should be recited before the Ruku of the third Rak'ah of Witr, in accordance with the practice of Rasulullah (Sallallahu 'Alaihi Wasallam).

[English version of "Quand faut-il réciter le Qounoûte dans le Salaah de Witr?" – Al Haadi – Vol. 2 No. 3]