The supplication of qunut: Is it only in the Fajr prayer, or in every prayer?

Question:
Our brother, Shaykh Salih, asks about the supplication of qunut: Is it only in the Fajr prayer, or in every prayer? May Allah reward you with good.

Answer:
The qunut, the supplication of qunut, is only in the witr prayer. When a person rises from bowing in the witr rak'ah, it is recommended for him to make the supplication of qunut, but not as a constant practice; rather, he should leave it out at times. As for qunut in the obligatory prayers, it is not prescribed except in times of calamity, according to the majority of the scholars. When a calamity befalls the Muslims, such as an enemy raiding their land or intending to overrun it, or when the enemy causes harm to some of the Muslims, the Muslims make qunut and supplicate to Allah, Glorified and Exalted is He, as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did. He made qunut in the Fajr prayer and supplicated against a group of the polytheists. He (peace and blessings be upon him) also made qunut and supplicated for the oppressed Muslims whom the disbelievers were harassing. If such a thing happens, it is recommended for the Muslims to make qunut in the Fajr prayer. In fact, some scholars say it is done in all the obligatory prayers. This is done with the permission of the imam; if the imam of the Muslims permits it, they do it, as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did. This is what is prescribed. As for making qunut in the Fajr prayer a constant practice, this is the view of some of the imams, such as Imam al-Shafi'i (may Allah have mercy on him). However, the majority hold the opposite view, and the correct view is what the majority held, because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did not make it a constant practice; he only did it in times of calamity. Likewise, his Rightly Guided Caliphs are not reported to have made qunut in the Fajr prayer. Rather, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "Follow after me." When some of the Companions were asked about qunut in the Fajr prayer, they reported that it was a new matter, that it was a newly introduced thing. And a newly introduced thing is undoubtedly not prescribed. Yes. May Allah reward you with good, and may He reward you.