Source: Fatawa 'Ulama-e-Hadith, Kitab al-Salah, Volume 1
My question is: During Witr prayer, when the Qunoot is recited, many Imams raise their hands for duʿāʾ, and the followers also raise their hands and supplicate. Is this practice proven from any Hadith?
There is a difference of opinion among the scholars regarding raising hands during Qunoot in Witr prayer.
However, the stronger view (al-rajih) is that raising the hands during Qunoot in Witr is recommended (mustahabb), by analogy (qiyās) with Qunoot al-Nazilah (the special supplication during times of calamity). It is authentically reported that the Prophet ﷺ raised his hands while supplicating during Qunoot al-Nazilah.
Sayyiduna Anas رضي الله عنه states:
"فلقد رأيت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فى صلاة الغداة رفع يديه فدعا عليهم"
(Musnad Ahmad, 19/394, Dar al-Risalah)
“Indeed, I saw the Messenger of Allah ﷺ in the morning prayer raising his hands and supplicating against them.”
Similar reports exist from:
These Companions are reported to have raised their hands during Qunoot al-Nazilah, and such a consistent practice by the Sahabah can only be based on direct observation of the Prophet ﷺ.
Although there is no explicit Hadith proving the raising of hands specifically in Qunoot al-Witr, drawing analogy from Qunoot al-Nazilah allows for it.
This is also the view held by prominent Saudi scholars such as:
Conclusion:
Raising the hands during Qunoot al-Witr is not obligatory, but it is recommended based on analogy with Qunoot al-Nazilah and supported by the practice of the Sahabah.
My question is: During Witr prayer, when the Qunoot is recited, many Imams raise their hands for duʿāʾ, and the followers also raise their hands and supplicate. Is this practice proven from any Hadith?
There is a difference of opinion among the scholars regarding raising hands during Qunoot in Witr prayer.
However, the stronger view (al-rajih) is that raising the hands during Qunoot in Witr is recommended (mustahabb), by analogy (qiyās) with Qunoot al-Nazilah (the special supplication during times of calamity). It is authentically reported that the Prophet ﷺ raised his hands while supplicating during Qunoot al-Nazilah.
Sayyiduna Anas رضي الله عنه states:
"فلقد رأيت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فى صلاة الغداة رفع يديه فدعا عليهم"
(Musnad Ahmad, 19/394, Dar al-Risalah)
“Indeed, I saw the Messenger of Allah ﷺ in the morning prayer raising his hands and supplicating against them.”
Similar reports exist from:
- Sayyiduna ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab رضي الله عنه
- Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn Mas‘ud رضي الله عنه
- Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه
These Companions are reported to have raised their hands during Qunoot al-Nazilah, and such a consistent practice by the Sahabah can only be based on direct observation of the Prophet ﷺ.
Although there is no explicit Hadith proving the raising of hands specifically in Qunoot al-Witr, drawing analogy from Qunoot al-Nazilah allows for it.
This is also the view held by prominent Saudi scholars such as:
- Shaykh Ṣāliḥ al-‘Uthaymīn
- Shaykh Ibn Bāz
Conclusion:
Raising the hands during Qunoot al-Witr is not obligatory, but it is recommended based on analogy with Qunoot al-Nazilah and supported by the practice of the Sahabah.
