When is the supplication of Qunut to be performed in prayer?
Chapter on the Times When Prayer is Prohibited
Al-Mughni
Book of Prayer
Primary text
The obligatory position for performing the Qunut supplication is after rising from the Ruku (bowing). This position is supported by Ahmad ibn Hanbal, who explicitly stated it. This view is also transmitted from Abu Bakr As-Siddiq, Umar, Uthman, Ali, Abu Qilabah, Abu al-Mutawakkil, and Ayyub al-Sakhtiyani. Al-Shafi'i holds this view. Evidence for performing Qunut both before and after Ruku is reported from Anas, who said, "We used to perform Qunut before Ruku and after it" (Reported by Ibn Majah).
Supporting text
Ahmad reported an alternative concession, stating that if one performs Qunut before Ruku, there is no harm. Ayyub al-Sakhtiyani expressed a similar view. Furthermore, some scholars maintain that Qunut should be performed before Ruku. This opinion is held by Malik and Abu Hanifah, and is narrated from Ubayy, Ibn Mas'ud, Abu Musa, Al-Bara', Ibn Abbas, Anas, Umar bin Abdul Aziz, Ubaidah, Abd al-Rahman bin Abi Layla, and Humayd al-Tawil. Their evidence includes narrations that the Prophet (peace be upon him) performed Qunut before Ruku, such as the Hadith from Ubayy and the narration from Ibn Mas'ud stating the Prophet performed it before Ruku.