What is the Ruling on Reciting the Qunut Prayer during Witir Prayer in the Middle of Ramadan?

Kapanlagi.com - The middle of Ramadan is a blessed time, where Muslims begin to feel spiritual warmth through increasingly profound worship. One of the practices often performed on the last nights of Ramadan is the recitation of the qunut prayer in the witir prayer. However, many are still curious: how strong is the legal basis for reciting the qunut prayer in witir during the second half of Ramadan?

The tradition of reciting qunut in witir has existed since the time of the companions, such as Umar bin Khattab and Ubay bin Ka'ab. Some scholars, especially from the Shafi'i school, encourage the community to perform the qunut recitation in the last rak'ah of the witir prayer from the 16th night of Ramadan until the end of the month. However, there are also many scholars who believe that reciting qunut in witir does not have to be done consistently.

So, what is the actual ruling on reciting the qunut prayer in witir? Is it only for the second half of Ramadan, or can it be performed throughout the year? This article will discuss various scholarly opinions along with the supporting evidence.

1. Evidence about Qunut Prayer in Witir Salat

The recitation of the qunut prayer in the witir prayer is based on several narrations from companions and earlier scholars. One of the evidences that is often cited is the hadith narrated by Abu Dawud about Umar bin Khattab's habit of leading tarawih with Ubay bin Ka'b:

"Indeed, Umar Ibn Khattab took the initiative to gather the people to pray tarawih together (with the imam) Ubay Ibn Ka'b, and he prayed tarawih with them for 20 nights, and he did not recite the qunut prayer except in the second half (from the night of the 16th of Ramadan onwards)" (HR. Abu Dawud).

Additionally, in the book Ma'rifatus Sunan wal Atsar (4/44), Imam asy-Syafi'i also mentioned that the recitation of the qunut prayer in witir during the second half of Ramadan is a recommended sunnah, as practiced by Ibn Umar and Mu'adz al-Qari.

However, there are also opinions stating that the qunut prayer in witir can be recited throughout the year. In a hadith narrated by Ibn Abi Shaibah and Ahmad, Hasan bin Ali said:

"The Messenger of Allah (SAW) taught me several phrases that I recite in witir: Allahummah dina fiman hadait, wa a'fina fiiman aafaita…" (HR. Ahmad, Abu Dawud, An-Nasa'i).

2. Scholars' Opinions on Qunut Witir in the Second Half of Ramadan

In the Shafi'i school, the qunut prayer in the witir prayer is recommended only in the second half of Ramadan. This opinion is also supported by Imam an-Nawawi in his book Al-Adzkar, which states that qunut in witir is performed starting from the night of the 16th until the end of Ramadan.

"According to us, it is recommended to perform Qunut at the end of witir in the second half of Ramadan. There are also some among us (Shafi'iyyah) who believe that Qunut is recommended throughout Ramadan. However, the better view according to our school is the first model, which is Qunut in the second half of Ramadan." (Imam an-Nawawi, Al-Adzkar).

Meanwhile, the Hanafi school holds the opinion that the qunut prayer in the witir prayer is performed throughout the year, not limited to Ramadan only. The Maliki school has a different view, where the qunut prayer is only recited in the dawn prayer, not in witir. On the other hand, the Hanbali school permits the qunut prayer in witir throughout the year, but does not consider it obligatory.

3. How to Read the Qunut Prayer in Witir Prayer

According to various narrations, the qunut in witir can be performed before or after the bowing. However, in the common practice among followers of the Shafi'i school, the qunut prayer is recited after the bowing in the last rak'ah of witir.

Here is the qunut prayer that was taught by the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) to Hasan bin Ali:

اللَّهُمَّ اهْدِنَا فِيْمَنْ هَدَيْتَ وَعَافِنَا فِيْمَنْ عَدَفَيْتَ وَتَوَلَّنَا فِيْمَنْ تَوَلَّيْتَ وَبَارِيْنَ لًنَا فِيْمَا اَعْطَيْتَ وَقِنَا شَرَّمَا قَضَيْتَ فَاِ نَّكَ تَقْضِىْ وَلاَ يُقْضَى عَلَيْكَ وَإِ نَّهُ لاَ يَزِلُّ مَنْ وَاييقَ وَلاَ يَعِزُّ مَنْ عَدَفَيْ

"O Allah, guide us as You have guided those whom You have guided. Grant us health as You have granted health to those whom You have given health. Protect us as You have protected those whom You have protected. Bless us in what You have bestowed upon us. Save us from the evil dangers that You have decreed."

4. Is Qunut Witir Mandatory?

The ruling on reciting the qunut prayer in witir is considered sunnah according to the majority of scholars, not mandatory. Therefore, if someone does not recite it, their witir prayer remains valid.

The Shafi'i school recommends qunut only in the second half of Ramadan, while the Hanafi and Hanbali schools permit it throughout the year. In Muhammadiyah, based on the fatwa of the Majelis Tarjih, the qunut prayer in witir is not legislated because there is no strong narration indicating that the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) did it regularly.

Ibnu Taimiyah in Majmu' Al-Fatawa states:

"In essence, qunut witir is a type of prayer that is permissible in prayer. Whoever wishes to recite it may do so. And those who are reluctant are also welcome to refrain."

5. Other Opinions on Reciting Qunut during Witir Prayer

The Majelis Tarjih of Muhammadiyah presents an interesting view regarding qunut in the witir prayer, especially during the holy month of Ramadan. They argue that reciting qunut, whether in the middle or at the end of the holy month, is not legislated, as the hadith supporting it is considered weak and not strong.

If qunut were a regular practice of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW), many companions would have narrated it. Thus, there is no obligation to perform the qunut prayer; those who choose not to do so also face no issues. This reflects the space for Muslims to practice worship according to their own understanding.

In conclusion, the ruling on reciting the qunut prayer in witir during the middle of Ramadan is mubah, meaning it is permissible to do or not. For those who wish to perform it, they are allowed based on several scholars' opinions, while those who do not perform it need not worry. This difference of opinion shows how rich and dynamic the understanding of Islamic teachings is.

The most important thing is the sincere intention in worship and maintaining the purity of the heart, so that Muslims can perform their worship better and according to their beliefs.

6. FAQ

What is the qunut prayer?

The qunut prayer is a prayer recited during salah, especially in the subuh and witir prayers, as a form of supplication to Allah SWT.

Is it mandatory to recite the qunut prayer in witir prayer?

There is no obligation to recite the qunut prayer in witir prayer; it depends on the understanding of each scholar.

Which scholars support the qunut prayer during witir?

Scholars like Imam Syafi'i and Imam Nawawi support the practice of the qunut prayer in witir prayer in the middle of Ramadan.

What is the penalty for not reciting the qunut prayer during witir?

There is no penalty, as reciting the qunut prayer is a sunnah, not an obligation.

(kpl/rmt)