The Sunnah Method of Raising Hands in Qunūt NāzilahBy: Shaykh Mubashshir Aḥmad Rabbānī حفظه الله
❖ Question:
Did the Messenger of Allah ﷺ raise his hands during Qunūt Nāzilah?
❖ Answer:
Yes, it is authentically reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ would raise his hands in supplication during Qunūt Nāzilah, especially after rukūʿ (bowing) in the prayer.
✦ Evidence from the Sunnah:
Narrated by Sayyidunā Anas ibn Mālik رضي الله عنه:
"فَلَقَدْ رَأَيْتُ رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ فِي صَلَاةِ الْغَدَاةِ رَفَعَ يَدَيْهِ فَدَعَا عَلَيْهِمْ"
"Indeed, I saw the Messenger of Allah ﷺ raise his hands in the morning prayer (Fajr) and make duʿā against them (the enemies of Islam)."
(Musnad Aḥmad, 3/137)
Authenticated by Shaykh al-Albānī رحمه الله in Irwāʾ al-Ghalīl
✔ This clearly proves the Sunnah of raising hands during Qunūt Nāzilah after rukūʿ, especially in the Fajr prayer.
✘ Wiping the Face After Duʿā:
It is important to note that wiping the face after duʿā has no authentic basis in Sunnah.
All narrations reported on this practice are weak and unreliable.
Imām al-Bayhaqī رحمه الله wrote in al-Sunan al-Ṣughrā:
"فَإِنَّهَا مِنَ الْمُحْدَثَاتِ"“This (wiping the face after duʿā) is one of the innovations.”
Conclusion:
◉ The Sunnah practice during Qunūt Nāzilah is:
✔ To raise both hands in duʿā after rukūʿ, as authentically reported from the Prophet ﷺ.
✘ Wiping the face after duʿā is not supported by any authentic ḥadīth and is considered an innovation (bidʿah).
وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
