Praise be to Allah.
Is Qunut before or after Ruku`?
With regard to the question of whether al-qunut should be recited before or after ruku`, Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymin said:
“According to most of the hadiths and according to the opinion of most of the scholars, al-qunut should come after the ruku`, but if a person recites it before the ruku` that is OK. He has the choice of bowing when he has finished reciting from Quran, and when he stands up from bowing and says “Rabbana wa laka’l hamd,” then he may recite al-qunut , as described in most of the reports from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and as stated by most of the scholars; or he may recite al-qunut when he has finished reciting Quran, then say Allahu akbar and bow. Both ways were narrated in the Sunnah.” (Al-Sharh al-Mumti’ by Ibn ‘Uthaymin, 4/65)
How to raise hands in Qunut
The way in which the hands are to be raised, the scholars said that he should raise his hands to chest level and not raise them very much, and he should spread his palms and hold them facing up towards the sky. The apparent meaning of the scholars’ words indicates that the hands should be put together, like a beggar when he asks someone to give him something. As for holding them far apart, I know of no basis for that in the Sunnah or in the words of the scholars. (See al-Sharh al-Mumti’ by Ibn ‘Uthaymin, 4/25)
And Allah knows best.
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