Three Common Mistakes in the Witr Qunūt
There are many mistakes that Imams fall into during the dua in the Witr Qunut, three of the most common mistakes are:
- Using supplications that are innovated or go beyond the legislated limits. This includes mentioning excessive detail in the du‘ā.
- Singing the Qunūt or reciting it melodiously as one would recite the Qur’an.
- Making the Qunūt lengthy.
Shaykh al-Islām Ibn Taymiyyah (rahimahullah): “The Prophetic supplications are the best supplications. The person who uses them has taken the safest path and guarantees himself the best results. Other supplications that people add from themselves may be forbidden or disliked, and some even include shirk!” [Majmū al-Fatāwá (22/511)]
Shaykh Ibn Bāz (rahimahullah): “The Imām should use the supplications that have been narrated and may add extra supplications from himself occasionally however he should not make the Qunūt lengthy.” [Majmū Fatāwá Ibn Bāz (30/42]
The great companion Ibn ‘Abbās: “Avoid the use of rhymed prose in the du‘ā.” [Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī (no. 6337)]
Originally published: 7 April 2023
