Is Raising the Hands in Du‘ā’ al-Qunūt a Sunnah? — Complete Shar‘i Explanation
Source: Fatāwā Arkān al-Islām
Question
Is raising the hands (raf‘ al-yadayn) during Du‘ā’ al-Qunūt a Sunnah? If so, what is the evidence for it?
Answer
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ‘alā Rasūlillāh, ammā ba‘d:
Yes, raising the hands in Du‘ā’ al-Qunūt is Sunnah, and there are multiple evidences for this from the practice of the Prophet ﷺ and the Companions رضي الله عنهم.
Evidence for Raising the Hands in Du‘ā’ al-Qunūt
- It is established from the Prophet ﷺ that he raised his hands during Qunūt al-Nāzilah in obligatory prayers.
- It is also narrated from ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb رضي الله عنه that he used to raise his hands during Qunūt al-Witr.
Following the Rightly-Guided Caliphs
ʿUmar رضي الله عنه was among the Rightly-Guided Caliphs, and the Prophet ﷺ commanded us to follow their way. Therefore, his practice of raising the hands in Qunūt al-Witr is a Sunnah worthy of following.
Who Should Raise Their Hands in Qunūt?
Whether one is:
◈ An Imām
◈ A Follower (Muqtadī)
◈ Or a Person praying alone —
For all of them, raising the hands in Qunūt al-Witr is Sunnah. Hence, whenever Qunūt is made, the hands should be raised.
هٰذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
