(Fatwa: 348=356/B)
(1) It is allowed to recite the above mentioned three chapters in Witr Salah. In some of traditions, it is narrated that the Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم has recited the three chapters in Witr. But, it is not necessary to recite these particular Surahs. In other Sahih traditions, it is narrated that the Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم used to recite Surah Al-Ala in first rakat, Surah Al-Kafiroon in second rakat and Surah Al-Ikhlas in third rakat. It means that he used to recite one surah in one rakat. It is batter to recite single surah in Farz, Wajib and Sunnah prayers. Whereas, in Nafl prayers one can recite more than one surah in single rakat.
(2) In this regard, you should keep one rule in your mind that any Zikr-e-Masnoon in a state of Qiyam proved by a Hadith will always be performed while folding hands. The Qunoot of Witr after Takbeer is also a Zikr-e-Masnoon and it is proved by Hadith; therefore it will be performed while folding hands. And, the Qiyam that does not have a Zikr-e-Masnoon there the hands will not be folded. This is the stand of Ahnaf. Yes, there is a mention of raising hands in Qunoot according to some other Imams like Shawafe. Also, there is a Qawl of Hazrat Imam Yusuf, but this is Zaeef and the fatwa is not given on this qawl.
Allah (Subhana Wa Ta’ala) knows Best
Darul Ifta,
Darul Uloom Deoband