Qirat And Qunoot In Tahajjud
Qirat in Qiyam-ul-lail is recommended to be in a moderate voice , neither too loud nor too silent, somewhere between sirri salah qirat and jehri salah qirat. It is evident from various narratives that initially in this prayer, the Quran was at times recited loudly and at times silently. Later, the Almighty directed the Prophet (sws) to recite it in a medium pitch: وَلاَ تَجْهَرْ بِصَلاَتِكَ وَلاَ تُخَافِتْ بِهَا وَابْتَغِ بَيْنَ ذَلِكَ سَبِيلاً And in this night prayer of yours, pray neither with too loud a voice nor in a low one, but, between these extremes, seek a middle course . (17:110) Consequently, the Prophet (sws) also directed his Companions (rta) to recite in this way. Abu Qatadah narrates that the Prophet (sws) told Abu Bakr (rta): “When I passed by you, you were reciting the Quran in a low tone [in the night prayer].” He replied: “I recite it to Him Who hears [even my] whispers.” The Prophet continued: “Raise your tone a little.” Then he told ‘Umar (rta): “When I passed by you, you were reciting the Quran in a very loud tone.” He replied: “I awake those who sleep, and make Satan run away.” The Prophet said: “Lower your tone a little.” ( Sources : https://sunnah.com/abudawud:1329 , https://sunnah.com/tirmidhi:447 ) Dua-e-Qanut is optional and usually done before ruku in the last rakah of witr, after the quran recital. Saying additional Takbeer and raising of hands are also optional since nothing is fixed in Sunnah in this regard. However, it is preferrable that at least Takbeer be said before Dua-e-Qanoot. Following is the uswa of Prophet Muhammad (sws) in this regard. After the recital in the last rakah of the tahajjud prayer, the Prophet (sws) would say various supplications. They are called the supplications of qunut. For this very purpose, he taught al-Hasan (rta) the following prayer : اللَّهُمَّ اهْدِنِي فِيمَنْ هَدَيْتَ وَعَافِنِي فِيمَنْ عَافَيْتَ وَتَوَلَّنِي فِيمَنْ تَوَلَّيْتَ وَبَارِكْ لِي فِيمَا أَعْطَيْتَ وَقِنِي شَرَّ مَا قَضَيْتَ إِنَّكَ تَقْضِي وَلَا يُقْضَى عَلَيْكَ وَإِنَّهُ لَا يَذِلُّ مَنْ وَالَيْتَ تَبَارَكْتَ رَبَّنَا وَتَعَالَيْتَ O Lord! Guide me by including me among those whom You have guided and give me tranquillity by including me among those whom You have given tranquillity and make me [your friend] by including me among those whom You have befriended and shower Your blessings on what you have given me, and save me from the evil of things which You have ordained for me. Indeed, it is You who decides and no one can pass judgement on You and indeed the person whom You befriend is never humiliated. Very great and very Blessed and very Majestic are You O Our Lord! ( Source : https://sunnah.com/abudawud:1425 & https://sunnah.com/abudawud:1427 )