If the imam recites the qunut in the Fajr prayer without a specific calamity, what is our position regarding him?

The questioner : Some people, in their supplication during the qunut, adopted the opinion of Imam al-Shafi'i and recite the qunut in Fajr, while others criticize them for it. So, some scholars said, "We do not criticize them, nor do we ask people not to make supplication."

The Shaykh : It is like saying, "The Sufi does not criticize or deny."

The questioner : No, we do not act like the Sufis. What do we do toward the person who makes supplication and the person who does not?

The Shaykh : That is another matter. But we clarify that the qunut in Fajr on a regular basis is not authentically established. However, if we follow an imam who holds the view of reciting the qunut in the Fajr prayer, as you say, whose school of jurisprudence is Shafi'i, then we follow him.

The questioner : Meaning, we do not criticize him.

The Shaykh : We do not criticize him, no.

The questioner : Meaning, we do not ask him to make supplication.

The Shaykh : For example, after the prayer or before the prayer, we discuss with him and explain to him that this is not established by the Sunnah. Then, our Lord will hold him accountable. If he responds, that is good and excellent. If he does not respond, we pray behind him and do not break the unity of the Muslims.

The questioner : If one of the brothers, during the prayer, while reciting "Alhamdulillah Rabb al-Alamin," knows the Sunnah well, and sees that the majority of people are of the Shafi'i school of jurisprudence, and he makes supplication in order to unite the hearts of the Muslims, has he done right or wrong?

The Shaykh : I will tell you something. If the intention is to unite the hearts of those around him, and he does not unite with them, then that is good. But I fear, and I fear greatly, that he will transform, while he was a Salafi follower of the Sunnah, into a follower of a specific school of jurisprudence from the later generations.