Question
A Maulana says that Hanafis should perform Witr behind a Shaafi' Imaam. He explained that when the Shaafi' Imaam terminates the Salaat with Salaam after two raka'ts, the Hanafi Muqtadis should not follow him. They should get up and perform one raka't and end the Salaat after the third raka't. Is this procedure correct?
Answer
This procedure is incorrect. The Salaat of the Hanafis will not be valid in this manner. The Shaafi' Imaam makes niyyat of Sunnat which is in the category of Nafl, and also performs only two raka'ts while the Witr is Waajib for Hanafis and consists of three raka'ts. Therefore the Witr of the Hanafis will not be valid by the method explained by the Maulana Sahib. Hanafis who had performed Witr in this way should make qadha of their Witr. Reciting Dua Qunoot before Ruku' is also Waajib for Hanafis while Shaafis recite it after Ruku'.
- Source
- themajlis.co.za
- Published in
- The Majlis Vol 20 No 04
- PDF page
- 12
Appears under Questions and Answers (approximate).