What is meant by a calamity in the hadith: “The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to recite the qunut in the five daily prayers when a calamity befell the Muslims”?

The questioner : The qunut reveals supplication at the onset of crises, and we are now in the most severe state of crisis, meaning what has befallen the Muslim community due to the sins and transgressions of people.

The Shaykh : No, that is not what is meant by a calamity. A calamity is one that befalls the Muslims without them being the cause of it. Do you understand me?

The questioner : And they are not the cause of it.

The Shaykh : Yes, exactly. For example, disbelievers invaded the lands of the Muslims. Disbelievers, as happens today in many lands, encroach upon the Muslims. As for sins and transgressions, these are matters that are, so to speak, natural and continuous. Therefore, they are not like a calamity. Do you understand how it is? A calamity is that for which the qunut is prescribed in all five daily prayers. This is, of course, the case; otherwise, there is no time in which there is not sin, and that would mean a person continues to recite the qunut in all prayers, which is contrary to the Sunnah.