The Position of Qunut in the First Rak'ah of Fajr Prayer: Across Multiple and Different Narrations According to Imam Malik

Abstract

Abstract

This research addresses the issue of Qunut in the first Rak'ah of Fajr from the perspective of the different narrations reported from Imam Malik. It seeks to establish the accepted opinion in the Maliki school of thought, by examining the evidence upon which the Imam based his position and analyzing the hadith and methodological context that led him to limit himself to the narration of Abdullah ibnUmar (may Allah be pleased with them both), which denies Qunut in all prayers. The research addresses a central problem: Why did Imam Malik affirm Qunut in Fajr prayer, despite limiting his Muwatta' to one narration denying it? The research adopts an inductive analytical approach, and the discussion of the problem is divided into five sections, addressing concepts, Imam Malik's position, the reasons for his choice of narration, and the other narrations included in Muwatta'. The study concluded that Imam Malik considered Qunutin the Fajr prayer permissible and considered it a virtuous act. His choice of Ibn Umar's narration was based on scholarly reasons, including that he was considered one of the most reliable narrators, and that his narration did not contradict the Imam's jurisprudential opinion. Rather, it indicated another, uncommon meaning of Qunut, namely "prolonged standing." The study also demonstrated that Imam Malik did not ignore other narrations that indicate Qunut, as they were mentioned in multiple narrations from Al-Muwatta', demonstrating the cognitive and doctrinal diversity within his school of thought. This research contributes to clarifying the Maliki jurisprudential and hadith perspectives on the issue of Qunut in the Fajr prayer and reveals the precision of Imam Malik's method in selecting and employing narrations. The study recommended promoting a culture of jurisprudence of disagreement within Islamic studies by including extensive studies on the jurisprudence of disagreement in the curricula of Islamic colleges. This aims to highlight the breadth of ijtihad within Islamic schools of thought.

Keywords: Qunut - Supplication - Maliki jurisprudence.