Source: Aḥkām wa Masā'il: The Discourse on Ṣalāh, Volume 1, Page 222
Is it permissible to raise hands while making du‘ā in Witr prayer, either individually or behind the Imam, and for the followers to say only "Ameen" along with the Imam?
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ‘alā Rasūlillāh, ammā ba‘d!
Based on my knowledge, there is no authentic report proving that the Prophet ﷺ raised his hands during du‘ā in Witr prayer, or that the followers merely said "Ameen" during it. However, it is established both verbally and practically from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ that he recited the du‘ā of Qunoot in the Witr prayer.
It is narrated from ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Abbās رضي الله عنهما that:
"The Prophet ﷺ recited the Qunoot du‘ā for a full month in the last rak‘ah of each of the five obligatory prayers after rukū‘, invoking loudly against the tribes of Banū Sulaym, Ri‘l, Dhakwān, and ‘Uṣayyah (who had martyred the Qur’ān reciters among the Companions), and the followers would respond by loudly saying 'Ameen, Ameen'."
(Qiyām al-Layl by al-Marwazī, p. 235)
① The du‘ā of Qunoot in the Witr prayer consists of supplications similar in structure to those recited in Qunoot Nāzilah.
② Both forms of Qunoot are recited in the last rak‘ah of the respective prayers.
③ In the light of the aforementioned ḥadīth, it becomes clear that:
– If the Witr prayer is offered in congregation,
– And the Imam recites the Qunoot audibly,
– Then the followers may also say Ameen aloud.
Conclusion:
While raising hands during Qunoot in Witr is not proven from the Prophet ﷺ, reciting the du‘ā aloud and responding with Ameen aloud is permissible based on the established Sunnah.
❖ Question
Is it permissible to raise hands while making du‘ā in Witr prayer, either individually or behind the Imam, and for the followers to say only "Ameen" along with the Imam?
❖ Answer
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ‘alā Rasūlillāh, ammā ba‘d!
Based on my knowledge, there is no authentic report proving that the Prophet ﷺ raised his hands during du‘ā in Witr prayer, or that the followers merely said "Ameen" during it. However, it is established both verbally and practically from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ that he recited the du‘ā of Qunoot in the Witr prayer.
✿ Clarification Through Hadith of Du‘ā Qunoot
It is narrated from ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Abbās رضي الله عنهما that:
"The Prophet ﷺ recited the Qunoot du‘ā for a full month in the last rak‘ah of each of the five obligatory prayers after rukū‘, invoking loudly against the tribes of Banū Sulaym, Ri‘l, Dhakwān, and ‘Uṣayyah (who had martyred the Qur’ān reciters among the Companions), and the followers would respond by loudly saying 'Ameen, Ameen'."
(Qiyām al-Layl by al-Marwazī, p. 235)
✔ Jurisprudential Guidance
① The du‘ā of Qunoot in the Witr prayer consists of supplications similar in structure to those recited in Qunoot Nāzilah.
② Both forms of Qunoot are recited in the last rak‘ah of the respective prayers.
③ In the light of the aforementioned ḥadīth, it becomes clear that:
– If the Witr prayer is offered in congregation,
– And the Imam recites the Qunoot audibly,
– Then the followers may also say Ameen aloud.
Conclusion:
While raising hands during Qunoot in Witr is not proven from the Prophet ﷺ, reciting the du‘ā aloud and responding with Ameen aloud is permissible based on the established Sunnah.
