Source: Fatāwā ʿUlamāʾ-e-Ḥadīth, Kitāb al-Ṣalāh, Volume 1
I would like to know whether there is any evidence for raising the hands (rafʿ al-yadayn) after completing the recitation (sūrah) in the third rakʿah of Witr, before beginning Duʿāʾ al-Qunūt. May Allah reward you.
There is no specific text (نص خاص) that explicitly mentions raising the hands (rafʿ al-yadayn) in the third rakʿah of Witr specifically before starting Duʿāʾ al-Qunūt.
However, Witr prayer is analogized with other regular (maktūbah) prayers, and evidence for general hand-raising in prayer is taken from the following authentic narration:
From ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib (رضي الله عنه), regarding the Prophet ﷺ:
"He used to, when he stood for a prescribed prayer, say takbīr and raise his hands level with his shoulders. He would do likewise after completing his recitation, and when he intended to bow (rukūʿ), and also when rising from rukūʿ. He would not raise his hands during any part of the prayer while sitting. And when he stood up after two rakʿāt, he raised his hands again and said takbīr."
Narrated by Aḥmad, Abū Dāwūd (and this is his wording), Ibn Mājah, and al-Tirmidhī, who said:
“This ḥadīth is ḥasan ṣaḥīḥ.”
There is no exclusive proof of raising the hands before Duʿāʾ al-Qunūt in Witr. However, based on general analogy with other prescribed prayers and the established Sunnah of raising hands at various points, some scholars permit it as an acceptable practice.
Thus:
Answered by: Scholars of Ahl al-Ḥadīth
(Fatāwā ʿUlamāʾ-e-Ḥadīth, Kitāb al-Ṣalāh, Volume 1)
I would like to know whether there is any evidence for raising the hands (rafʿ al-yadayn) after completing the recitation (sūrah) in the third rakʿah of Witr, before beginning Duʿāʾ al-Qunūt. May Allah reward you.
There is no specific text (نص خاص) that explicitly mentions raising the hands (rafʿ al-yadayn) in the third rakʿah of Witr specifically before starting Duʿāʾ al-Qunūt.
However, Witr prayer is analogized with other regular (maktūbah) prayers, and evidence for general hand-raising in prayer is taken from the following authentic narration:
From ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib (رضي الله عنه), regarding the Prophet ﷺ:
"He used to, when he stood for a prescribed prayer, say takbīr and raise his hands level with his shoulders. He would do likewise after completing his recitation, and when he intended to bow (rukūʿ), and also when rising from rukūʿ. He would not raise his hands during any part of the prayer while sitting. And when he stood up after two rakʿāt, he raised his hands again and said takbīr."
Narrated by Aḥmad, Abū Dāwūd (and this is his wording), Ibn Mājah, and al-Tirmidhī, who said:
“This ḥadīth is ḥasan ṣaḥīḥ.”
There is no exclusive proof of raising the hands before Duʿāʾ al-Qunūt in Witr. However, based on general analogy with other prescribed prayers and the established Sunnah of raising hands at various points, some scholars permit it as an acceptable practice.
Thus:
- Not raising the hands is also acceptable.
- The matter is flexible (واسع) and not restricted by a definitive prohibition.
Answered by: Scholars of Ahl al-Ḥadīth
(Fatāwā ʿUlamāʾ-e-Ḥadīth, Kitāb al-Ṣalāh, Volume 1)
