AssalamoAlaikum Mufti saheb can you kindly guide me about the ruling of qunoot e naazilah, how when to pray etc Jazakallah Kher Wassalam
Bismillahi Ta’ala
Walaikum Assalam Warahmatullah
Mufti Ebrahim Desai Saheb rahimahullah was asked about Qunoot Naazilah in a diversed community of different madhahib, and he has given a detail response:
According to the Hanafi Madhab, Qunoot-e-Naazila will only be recited at times of hardship, difficulties and when the Ummah has been affected by calamities. This Qunoot Naazila can only be recited by the Imaam in the Fajr Salat after Ruku before going down for Sajdah in the second Rakaat. It cannot be recited in any other Salat besides Fajr Salat.
[AH: The above mentioned from the hanafi sources is specific to what action to be followed. It does not reflect the academic discussion and opinions within the hanafiya. While there are mashayekh within hanafiya who opine that the Qunoot Naazila may be recited in all jahri (audible) prayers, and in absence of any explicit takhsees (specification) from the mutaqadimeen, the scope should remain open for jahri salah; still the acted upon opinion is what has been mentioned above.
This is also more in line with the purport and psychology of Qunoot Naazila. We are overburdened with the difficulty befalling our ummah, either in specific situation or as a whole. There is a level of assessment or discretion involved which will establish if a need of a communal qunoot naazila is warranted or not. The mashayekh who have to make that decision assess if making qunoot naazila in matters where it is still not taken a dire need level may escalate the masses in their mental agitation, as well as depression and hope.
At the same time, not spurring ummah to a communal call towards qunoot naazila when the calamity befalls can render our people oblivious of the plight in the ummah. This discretion is an important one for the Mashayekh and Imams of the Masjid to make. And when a masjid decides to do Qunoot Naazila, one should follow the Imam in that insha’ Allah]
According to the Shaafi’ee Madhab, the general Qunoot has to be recited in the daily Fajr Salat. When in times of difficulty and need, then the Qunoot-e-Naazila may be recited in all prayers. The Imaam and also one who is performing Salat individually both may recite it audibly even though it is Dhuhr or Asr Salat.
According to the Maaliki Madhab, the general Qunoot can be recited in Fajr Salat only. However, there is no obligation to recite it (as in the Shaafi’ee Madhab). It may be recited softly in the Fajr Salat only and not in any of the other prayers, even though the need arises because of difficult and severe conditions.
According to the Hanbali Madhab, Qunoot Naazila can be recited during difficult situations with the exception of plague. If people are affected by plague, then Qunoot-e-Naazila cannot be recited for them. The Qunoot-e-Naazila may be recited in all prayers besides Jummu’ah. The Imaam will recite it after the Ruku and it is Sunnat for the followers to follow by stretching out their hands in front of their chest (as in du’a). When the Qunoot is over, they should wipe their hands over their faces.
As for the actual du’a, then according to all the schools of thought, it is preferable to recite the du’as that have been narrated in the Ahaadith. However, other du’as are permitted. The du’as must be in Arabic and must not resemble Kalaamun-Naas (talk of people).
Wallahu A’lam
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Mufti Faisal al-Mahmudi