Those who held the legality of the reciting Duaau-l qunuut [in Fajr Salaah always] built their opinion on an unauthentic hadeeth which is related by Anas to have said: The Prophet (peace and blessing of Allaah be on him) continued reciting the qunuut in the Fajr [down] Salaat till he passed away. [Ahmad]
Were this narration authentic it does not indicate, Whatsoever, the legality of the frequent recitation of the qunuut [in Fajr Salaah] for the word qunuut does not only refer to the special duaa recited in the Salaah [before the Rukuu], but also Covers a range of various meanings such as: the long standing in Salaah [when reciting Quraan], being silent in it, the continuation of practicing acts of worship, reciting Duaa, reciting Tasbeeh and being in a state of quietness in it. Allaah says:
"To him belongs whatever is in the heavens and the earth. To him are all Qaanituun (obedient to him.) [Q30: 26].
He also says:
"ls he who is Qaanitun (doing Salaat) to Allaah (SWT) prostrating himself or standing (in Salaah) during the hours of the night, fearing the hereafter and hoping for the Mercy of his Rabb." [Q39: 9].
He says:
"And she testified to the truth of the words of her Rabb and in His scriptures and she was of the Qaanituun(obedient to Allaah"(Q66: 12)
Zaid Ib Arqam reported that after the revelation of Allaah's verse:
"And stand for Allaah Qaaniteen(i.e. be silent in Salaah except reciting its Athkaar)" (2: 238),
we were ordered to quit idle talk in Salaah and listen [to the Quraan].[Bukhaaree]
In addition, Anas (RA) narration does not state clearly that the Prophet (peace and blessing of Allaah be on him) did qunuut, raising his voice with it and those behind him saying: Aameen. No doubt that reciting the following Duaa: Rabbanaa walakal hamd, Milas samaawaati, wamilatard ... etc. and praising our Rabb in it is considered qunuut, prolonging the period of standing after Rukuu is also considered qunuut, a third kind of qunuut is to prolong the recitation from the Quraan, and the aforementioned duaa is also considered qunuut, so how was it decided that the qunuut in Anas narration refers to the last one?!
Despite the many afflictions that are attacking Muslims religion and their mundane wellfare, doing qunuut has been abandoned. Because of their disunity and rejection to co-operate with one other, Muslims became strangers in their own countries even in their Duaa of qunuut; consequently, ruling the country is controlled not by them. Indeed, doing qunuut at times of affliction in all the prayers is an affirmed Sunnah of the Prophet (peace and blessing of Allaah be on him) that is done after rising from the last rukuu and after reciting Samiallaahu Liman Hamidah -as was narrated by Anas and Abuu Hurairah (RA).
AI-Athram said: I heard Abu Abduilaah say when asked about doing qunuut in Fajr Salaah-: The Imaam should do qunuut when Muslims are under afflictions, such as being afflicted with evil from the disbelievers and those behind him should say Aameen.
Abuu Ishaaq AI-Harbee said: I heard Abaa Thawr ask Abee Abdillaah Ahmad Ibn Hanbal about doing qunuut in Fajr Salaat. Abuu Abdillaah said: It should only be done at times of afflictions. Abdullaah Ibn Ahmad Ibn Hanbal said: I asked my father regarding doing qunuut in Fajr Salaat - may one do it in the same manner the Prophet (peace and blessing of Allaah be on him) did; asking for Allaahs mercy to be sent down on Muslims, and his wrath to be showered on the Mushrikeen? My father said: No problem, the Imaam could do so: Ibn AI-Humaam said: Muslims should try their best in doing qunuut at times of afflictions for the Prophet (peace and, blessing of Allaah be on him) never did qunuut after the one he did for a month [in Fajr Salaah).
Accordingly, it could be inferred that qunuut should be done only at times of afflictions as was done [by the companions] after the Prophets (peace and blessing of Allaah be on him) death. It was affirmed that Abuu Bakr (RA) did qunuut when he launched war on Musailamah -the renegade. So did Umar (RA), Alee (RA) and Muaawiyah (RA) at times of afflictions. An-Nawawee said: It was related that Umar (RA) said in his qunuut O Allaah! Torture the people of the scriptures - the Jews and the Nasaaraa- for they were fighting Muslims at his time. These days, one better say in his qunuut: Allaah! Torture the Kuffaar. It is more general.
This article was culled from the publications of Deen Communication Limited