Question:
Asalamualaykum
Hope this message finds you in the best of Imaan
I would like to enquire regarding Qunoot Naazilah in a masjid where the imaams are Hanafi
At the onset of the ghaza war qunoot was Recited and thereafter stopped
It was Recited during the war at certain times when the atrocities increased drastically.
We have not read it for a while now.
Due to the current situation in our country there was a request from a few musallis that we read it for a few days prior to the 30th June
We started it this morning.
A brother then enquired
Why has qunoot been restarted?
Has Madina Munawwarah been attacked?
The brother says that the war is ghaza is still going on for multiple years but Qunoot Naazilah was stopped for such a long time while the war still goes on.
What is the correct stance with regards to this?
Jazakallah khair
Answer:
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-Salāmu ‘Alaykum Wa-Rahmatullāhi Wa-Barakātuh.
In principle, according to the Hanafi Mazhab, Qunūt al-Nāzilah may be recited in the Fajr prayer when the Muslim community at large is afflicted by a severe and widespread calamity. As long as the Muslims remain affected by that calamity, it is preferable to continue reciting Qunūt al-Nāzilah.
Hadhrat Anas bin Malik (رضي الله عنه) narrates:
قَنَتَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم شَهْرًا يَدْعُو عَلَى رِعْلٍ وَذَكْوَانَ.
Nabi (ﷺ) recited Qunūt for one month (in the Fajr prayer) supplicating against the tribes of Ra’l and Dhakwan. [Sahih al-Bukhari, 1003]
The tribes of Ra’l, Dhakwan, ‘Usaiya and Bani Lihyan asked Allah’s Messenger ﷺ to provide them with some men to support them against their enemy. He therefore provided them with seventy men from the Ansar whom we used to call Al-Qurra’ (The Reciters of the Quran) in their lifetime. They used to collect wood by daytime and pray at night. When they were at the well of Ma’una, the infidels killed them by betraying them. When this news reached Nabi ﷺ, he recited Qunūt for one month in the morning prayer, invoking evil upon some of the ‘Arab tribes, upon Ra’l, Dhakwan, ‘Usaiya and Bani Lihyan. [Sahih al-Bukhari, 4090]
From this incident, we understand that Qunūt al-Nāzilah is not restricted to a specific location, such as Madīnah Munawwarah. Rather, it is legislated in response to severe calamities that afflict Muslims. In this incident, the seventy Sahabah were ambushed and martyred at the Well of Ma’una, which was situated outside Madīnah Munawwarah, yet Nabi ﷺ nevertheless recited Qunūt al-Nāzilah upon receiving news of their tragedy. Hadhrat Anas bin Malik (رضي الله عنه) remarked: I never saw him (i.e. Allah’s Messenger ﷺ) so sad as he was on that day. [Sahih al-Bukhari, 1300]
In the recent past, when Muslims were faced with severe calamities and atrocities at the hands of the kuffār, the ‘Ulamā’ advised that Qunūt al-Nāzilah be recited. Thereafter, when the situation de-escalated and conditions improved, the recitation of Qunūt al-Nāzilah was discontinued.
In the current climate, with concerns of xenophobic attacks and threats to one’s life and property, it would be advisable for local ‘Ulamā’ and Imāms to consider instituting Qunūt al-Nāzilah in the Fajr Ṣalāh as a means of seeking Allah’s assistance, protection, and relief during these difficult times.
Therefore, if the local ‘Ulamā’ and Imāms decide to recite Qunūt al-Nāzilah, the congregation should support their decision, maintain unity, and avoid making it a cause of disagreement or discord.
Furthermore, during such times, there are other Amal that should be adopted:
- Tawakkul -To rely totally on Allāh Ta’ālā. Put the necessary measures in place, then leave the rest to Allāh Ta’ālā.
- Sincere Taubah – Seeking forgiveness for our sins. Make abundant Istighfaarأَسْتَغْفِرُ الله.
- Istiqaamat – To be steadfast on our Deen.
What is steadfastness? To fulfil all the commands of Allah & to refrain from everything Allāh Ta’ālā has forbidden.
- Read the Du’aas for protection continuously.[1]
- Enjoin good and forbid evil.
- Give out a lot of Nafl Sadaqah. Sadaqah extinguishes the anger of Allāh Ta’ālā.
- Abundant Durood on Nabiﷺ.
- Reciteلاَ حَوْلَ وَلاَ قُوَّةَ إِلاَّ بِاللَّهِabundantly.
- Recite Surah Yaseen.
- Keep the Masaajid active – Men should make I’tikaaf and engage in Salaah, Qur’an recitation, Zikr, and Dua.[2]
And Allah Ta’ala Knows Best.
| Baba Abu Bakr
Student Darul Iftaa Accra, Ghana |
Abdour-Rahmaan Lim Voon Heek
Student Darul Iftaa |
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Muhammad Zakariyya Desai.
