The Imam Recites the Qunut Supplication in the Fajr Prayer and We Do Not Say "Ameen" With Him: Is Our Prayer Valid, and What Is Your Advice for This Imam?
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The questioner : We have the Fajr prayer in congregation in the mosque. The imam recites the qunut supplication, and we do not say "Ameen" with him. Is our prayer valid? And what is your advice for this imam? May Allah bless you.
The Shaykh : The qunut in the Fajr prayer is a recommended practice (sunnah) according to al-Shafi'i.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Or according to the followers of al-Shafi'i. It is one of the matters in which independent legal reasoning (ijtihad) is permissible. So if this imam recites the qunut based on the evidence that has become apparent to him, there is no blame on him for that. The one praying behind the imam (ma'mum) should follow him, not lag behind him, and not prostrate before him. He should also say "Ameen" to his supplication. Imam Ahmad (may Allah have mercy on him) was asked about a man who prays behind an imam who recites the qunut in Fajr. He said: "He should follow him and say 'Ameen,' meaning he should say 'Ameen' to his supplication. If he does not say 'Ameen,' his prayer is not in that state, meaning [it is not complete in that regard]. If he does not say 'Ameen,' his prayer is valid, but it is better and more appropriate for him to say 'Ameen' and follow the imam without showing disagreement."
The questioner : He says in the second question.
The Shaykh : The qunut in the Fajr prayer is a recommended practice (sunnah) according to al-Shafi'i.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Or according to the followers of al-Shafi'i. It is one of the matters in which independent legal reasoning (ijtihad) is permissible. So if this imam recites the qunut based on the evidence that has become apparent to him, there is no blame on him for that. The one praying behind the imam (ma'mum) should follow him, not lag behind him, and not prostrate before him. He should also say "Ameen" to his supplication. Imam Ahmad (may Allah have mercy on him) was asked about a man who prays behind an imam who recites the qunut in Fajr. He said: "He should follow him and say 'Ameen,' meaning he should say 'Ameen' to his supplication. If he does not say 'Ameen,' his prayer is not in that state, meaning [it is not complete in that regard]. If he does not say 'Ameen,' his prayer is valid, but it is better and more appropriate for him to say 'Ameen' and follow the imam without showing disagreement."
The questioner : He says in the second question.