❖ Four Evidences for Saying Takbīr Before Qunoot al-Nāzilah
In Light of Authentic Narrations
Source: Fatāwā ʿIlmiyyah, Volume 1, Kitāb al-Ṣalāh, Page 412
❖ Question:
Is there any narration that proves one should say Takbīr (Allāhu Akbar) before reciting Qunoot?
(Asked by: Nadīm Anbālwī)
❖ Answer:
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh. Ammā baʿd:
✦ Takbīr Before Qunoot — Authentic Narration
The following scholars have narrated this report with a sound chain:
ʿAbd al-Razzāq (Vol. 3, p. 109, Ḥadīth 4959) Ibn Abī Shaybah (2/315) Imām Ṭaḥāwī in Maʿānī al-Āthār (1/250)They narrate from Mukhāriq ibn Khalīfah, who narrates from Ṭāriq ibn Shihāb:
"صليت خلف عمر صلاة الصبح، فلما فرغ من القراءة في الركعة الثانية كبر ثم قنت ثم كبر فركع"
“I prayed the Fajr prayer behind ʿUmar رضي الله عنه. When he finished reciting in the second rakʿah, he said ‘Allāhu Akbar,’ then recited Qunoot, then said ‘Allāhu Akbar’ and went into rukūʿ.”
✦ Authentication of the Chain
✔ This chain is authentic (ṣaḥīḥ).
✔ Mukhāriq ibn Khalīfah al-Aḥmasī is a trustworthy narrator by unanimous agreement.
✦ Practice of the Rightly-Guided Caliphs
This narration shows that saying Takbīr before Qunoot al-Nāzilah is the sunnah of the Khulafāʾ al-Rāshidīn.
This practice is also supported by other Companions, such as:
✔ Al-Barāʾ ibn ʿĀzib رضي الله عنه
✦ Evidence for Raising Hands (Rafʿ al-Yadayn)
Once the legislation of saying Takbīr before Qunoot is established, the act of raising the hands with it is also implied.
✦ Raising Hands in Qunoot al-Nāzilah
It is important to note that raising the hands (like in duʿāʾ) during Qunoot al-Nāzilah is established from:
➤ The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ
Musnad Aḥmad, Vol. 3, p. 137 — Chain: Authentic➤ Sayyidunā ʿUmar رضي الله عنه and other noble Companions
❖ Conclusion:
✔ The stronger opinion is that:
➤ One should say Takbīr and raise the hands,
➤ Then raise the hands again in the manner of duʿāʾ while reciting Qunoot.
وَاللهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
And Allāh knows best what is correct.
