Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
I would like to know if Salat-ul-Witr is accepted without reciting Dua-e-Qunoot?
Walaikum assalam,
The witr prayer is necessary in the Hanafi school. It is a 3 rakat prayer, like maghrib in form, though one must recite both the Fatiha and the equivalent of three short verses in all three rakats. It is not valid to pray it as one rakat, or to pray two rakats then one.
Reciting the qunut is necessary (wajib) in the witr prayer. Its place is after the recitation in the final rakat, before bowing. Raises your hands, as in the opening of the prayer, and say Allahu Akbar. After this, place right hand on left below the navel, again, and recite the qunut.
The qunut is minimally defined as being any dua. Reciting Allahumma innaa nasta`inuka…is sunna.
Leaving Out the Qunut
The qunut is necessary (wajib). Leaving it forgetfully makes it necessary to perform forgetfulness prostrations at the end of the prayer. Leaving it intentionally is sinful, and would require you to repent and repeat your witr prayer.
And Allah knows best.
Wassalam,
Faraz Rabbani