Is the qunut in the Fajr prayer prescribed?

Question:
From Yemen, the questioner Ahmad Salem, a Yemeni resident in Riyadh, says: Your Eminence! Is the qunut in the Fajr prayer permissible, or not, with evidence? May Allah reward you.

Answer:
The qunut in the Fajr prayer is not prescribed, and the qunut in Fajr is not established from him (peace and blessings be upon him) except in special circumstances of supplicating against the polytheists in times of calamity. He used to supplicate in Fajr and other times. As for the customary, permanent qunut, it has no basis, and it is better to leave it off, and the safest course is to leave it off. Some scholars consider it a recommended practice permanently, but there is no evidence for it, and the hadith reported in this matter is weak. The stronger position is that it is not prescribed; this is the stronger position. However, if there are calamities, such as an enemy descending upon the Muslims, then if the Muslims supplicate against them in Fajr or other times, there is no harm, as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to do.