What are the reasons for raising hands in witr prayer qunoot?

Al-jawab billahi at-taufeeq (the answer with Allah’s guidance)

To raise the hand till the ears upon the Takbeer of Qunoot and fold them afterwards, this is according to Imam Abu Hanifah (RA):

Aaisha (Radhiallaahu Anhu) narrates that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) used to perform 3 Rakats of Witr, and would only make Salam at the end.’ (I’elaa-us-Sunan vol.6 pg.30; Karachi)

Abd al-Razzaq narrates that Zuhri narrates that Hammad narrates that Ibrahim narrates that Ibn Masood used to raise his hands in Witr then drop them after words. (Musannaf Abdur Razzaq Vol. 4 Pg. 325)

Abu Yusuf narrates that Abu Hanifa narrates that Talha narrates that Ebrahim al-Nakha’i said, “The hands will be raised in seven places. At the beginning of Salah, at the beginning of Qunoof of witr, in the two Eids, when maing Istilam of Hajr al-Aswad, at Safa and Marwah, at Arafat, and Muzdalifa, and the Jamarah. (Aathar Li Abi Yusuf Vol. 1 Pg. 105)

(See also: Al Hidaya, Chapter: Witr prayer)

Muhammad narrates that Abu Hanifa narrates that Hammad narrates that Ibrahim said Qunoot in Witr is Wajib in Ramadan and out of Ramadan before Ruku’. When you intend to say Qunoot, say takbeer. When you intend to go into ruku say Takbeer again. Imam Muhammad says, “We hold this view and hands should be raise before Qunoot just as how they are raised at the beginning of Salah and then fold them and make dua. This is the view of Imam Abu Hanafi (ra). (Aathar Li Muhammad Ibn Hasan Vol. 1 Pg. 274)

(See also: I`laus Sunan Vol.6 Pg. 53, 58 , vol.1 Pg. 57, and Ahsanul Fataawa Vol. 3 Pg. 489)

Please see: http://www.muftisays.com/qa/question/873/sallatulwitr.html

And Only Allah Ta’ala Knows Best.

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Moulana Qamruz Zaman
London, UK