Fatwaa ID: 1038

Question:
Assalamu Alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu
Dear Mufti Kiraam
Is witr valid if a hanafi prays behind a Hanafi Imam who leads Witr Salah in the following manner:
The first three Rakaat are prayed normally uptil the the surah after surah Fatihah. Thereafter without Qunoot, rukoo’ is made, thereafter Qawmah. In this qawmah Qunoot is made as is done like the Fajr of the Shawafi’. The rest is completed normally.

2. If it is valid, would it be preferred to read at home instead
3. If a Hanafi is asked to lead in this manner, should he refuse

Answer:
In the Name of Allaah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salaamu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullaahi wa-barakaatuh.

1. The salaah in reference will be valid, in assumption that he has adopted the view of the other legal schools. The Hanafi imaam however will be blameworthy for acting contrary to his legal school. He is intentionally delaying a waajib act, which would otherwise invalidate the salaah. If he has to read the Qunoot audibly, he should do so prior to the rukoo’. That is a non-authoritative position in the Hanafi legal school.
2. You may join him in Witr. That is better than performing it individually at home.
3. Yes. He must refuse. One should adhere to his legal school, especially in matters that may affect the validity of the salaah.

And Allaah Ta’aala knows best.
Mufti Muajul I. Chowdhury
Darul Iftaa New York
https://askthemufti.us/

وصل اللهم وسلم وبارك على سيدنا محمد وعلى ءاله وصحبه أجمعين

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