Position of palms during Qunut
Fatwa No: 82561

Question

Is it Sunnah to raise hands with palms facing up during Du'a Qunut? Give clear proof.Is it Haram to enter the elevator with a woman alone?

Answer

Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; and blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions.
The Muslim scholars have various opinions in the matter of raising hands during Du'a Qunut. Shafietes, Hanafees, Imams Ahmad and Ishaq believe that raising hand during Du'a Qunut is desirable. The evidence for this opinion is that Ahadith exist which prove the raising of hands in Du'a are common. Then their rule applies to Du'a Qunut and other Du'as. Imams Malik and al-Awzaee do not hold this opinion. They say that the form of worship is restricted only to what is approved by the Prophet (Blessing and peace be upon him). The prayer should be protected from any additions to it. If there is no specific evidence to support raising of the hands during Du'a Qunut, then one should not raise hands based on common evidence.
We believe, Allah knows best, that raising hands during Du'a Qunut is desirable whether it is the Qunut of Witr prayer or the Qunut performed when Muslims face calamities.
When the pagans killed seventy chosen Qurrah (People who has memorized the whole Qur'an) the companions of the Prophet, the Prophet made Qunut and raised his hands during this Qunut. Anas said: "I saw the Prophet in dawn prayer; he raised his hands and supplicated against those who killed the companions". [Reported by Imams Ahmad and Tebrani].
Raising the hands during Du'a Qunut has also been approved by practice of many companions of the Prophet (Peace and blessing be upon him). It is a fact that Sahabah (companions of the Prophet) did not practice anything if it was not approved by the Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessing be upon him). They prayed behind the Prophet and they always followed the Prophet's actions since he said:"All of you should pray as you see me praying". [Reported by Imam Bukhari].
In addition, Imam Ibn Hajar wrote in his book "al-Talkhees al-Habeer". That the Hadith concerning raising hands during Du'a Qunut is narrated by Ibn Masoud, Umar, Othman (May Allah be Pleased with them) in the books of al-Baihaqi, Ibn al-Munzir and in the booklet "Raful-Yadin (Raising hands) composed by Imam al-Bukhari".
The rule of being alone with an alien woman in an elevator is the same as the rule of being alone with her in any other place. Perhaps being alone with her in an elevator is more harmful for the closeness of the place and bodies, than being alone in another place.
There are many chances for being tempted in an elevator, such as gazing at her, touching her or indulging in undesirable conversation, etc.
You know that Satan circulates in the blood of the body of Adam's son (i.e. man) as the Prophet said. So, being alone with an alien woman is forbidden in Sharia and all the scholars have agreed upon this ruling.
The Prophet said: "A man should not be alone with an alien woman, as Satan will be the third person with them". [Reported by Imam Ahmad and Tirmizi].
The Prophet also said: "It is not permissible for a man to be alone with a woman except with a Mahram (unmarriageable male relative)". [Reported by Imam Bukhari]

Allah knows best.

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