The best prayer is the one with prolonged qunut. What is the meaning of qunut? The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “I will help you with abundant prostration.” Does he mean prayer by prostration?
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The questioner :Sahih Muslim 756a I hope you will clarify the meaning of qunut. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Sahih Muslim 489 Does he mean prayer by prostration? I hope you will elaborate on my question?
The Shaykh : As for the first phrase, “The best prayer is the one with prolonged qunut,” the meaning is prolonged supplication in prayer, because qunut is supplication. If the supplication is prolonged, it necessarily entails the prolongation of the remaining pillars, because it is prescribed that the prayer be proportionate: if one prolongs the recitation, he prolongs the bowing; if he prolongs the bowing, he prolongs the prostration; if he prolongs the prostration, he prolongs the sitting between the two prostrations; and if he prolongs the sitting between the two prostrations, he prolongs the standing between the bowing and the prostration.
And as for:Sahih Muslim 489 the intended meaning is the abundance of prayer. Prostration is used to refer to prayer because it is a pillar therein, and whatever is a pillar in an act of worship, it is valid to refer to the worship by it. For this reason, Allah the Exalted said: [Al-Baqarah 2:43] And He the Exalted said: [Ali 'Imran 3:43] The intended meaning by that is the entire prayer.
The questioner : May Allah bless you.
The most excellent prayer is that in which the duration of standing is longer.
أفضل الصلاة طول القنوتhelp me to achieve this for you by devoting yourself often to prostration
أعني على نفسك بكثرة السجودThe Shaykh : As for the first phrase, “The best prayer is the one with prolonged qunut,” the meaning is prolonged supplication in prayer, because qunut is supplication. If the supplication is prolonged, it necessarily entails the prolongation of the remaining pillars, because it is prescribed that the prayer be proportionate: if one prolongs the recitation, he prolongs the bowing; if he prolongs the bowing, he prolongs the prostration; if he prolongs the prostration, he prolongs the sitting between the two prostrations; and if he prolongs the sitting between the two prostrations, he prolongs the standing between the bowing and the prostration.
And as for:
help me to achieve this for you by devoting yourself often to prostration
أعني على نفسك بكثرة السجودAnd establish prayer and give zakah and bow with those who bow [in worship and obedience].
وَأَقِيمُوا الصَّلاةَ وَآتُوا الزَّكَاةَ وَارْكَعُوا مَعَ الرَّاكِعِينَO Mary, be devoutly obedient to your Lord and prostrate and bow with those who bow [in prayer]."
يَا مَرْيَمُ اقْنُتِي لِرَبِّكِ وَاسْجُدِي وَارْكَعِي مَعَ الرَّاكِعِينَThe questioner : May Allah bless you.