Q 1: Is it true that Du‘a’-ul-Qunut (supplication recited while standing after bowing in the last unit of Prayer) should not be constantly observed in Ramadan? Can the Imam supplicate once or twice during the same night either during the first, middle, or last ten nights of Ramadan. Did this happen during the lifetime of the Messenger (peace be upon him) and his Sahabah (Companions)? What is actually followed in Madinah, Makkah (the central city of mosques), and Riyadh? If Du‘a’-ul-Qunut is permissible once or twice during the nights of Ramadan, please explain this to the Muslim Ummah (nation) to have it proclaimed in every Masjid, whether big or small.

A: Du‘a’-ul-Qunut during Witr (Prayer with an odd number of units) is Mustahab (desirable) because of the Hadith reported by Al-Hasan ibn ‘Aly (may Allah be pleased with them) who said: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) taught me some words to say during the Qunut of Witr (i.e. The final unit of the odd-numbered Prayer). They are: 'Allahumma ihdini fiman hadayta, wa ‘afini fiman ‘afayta, wa tawallani fiman tawallayta, wa barik li fima a‘tayta, wa qini sharra ma qadayta, fa inaka taqdi wa la yuqda ‘alaik, wa inahu la yadhilu man walayta, tabarakta Rabana wa ta‘alayta [O Allah, guide me among those You have guided. Protect me among those You have protected. Take me into Your Care among those You have taken into Your Care. Bless me in what You have bestowed (on me). Guard me from the evil of what You have decreed, for You are the One Who decrees, and none can decree over You. Truly, the one whom You patronize can never be abased. Blessed and Exalted are You, our Lord].' (Related by Ahl-ul-Sunan [authors of Hadith compilations classified by jurisprudential themes: Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah, Al-Tirmidhy and Al-Nasa’y]) (Part No. 6; Page No. 71) It is permissible for the Muslim to say this Du‘a’ sometimes and leave it at other times, whether during Ramadan or any other month.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family and Companions.