objection is not disqualifying, for a child of eight can be taught, instructed, and able to memorize. Indeed, Amr ibn Salamah al-Jarmi, may Allah be pleased with him, used to lead his people in prayer when he was six or seven years old, because he was the most proficient of them in Quran recitation (1).

His statement, “after bowing”: the apparent meaning of the author’s words is that qunut before bowing is not prescribed. However, the well-known position in the madhhab is that qunut may be performed before bowing, after the recitation has been completed—so that one performs qunut and then bows—or after bowing, since this was reported from the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, regarding his qunut in the obligatory prayers (2).

Accordingly, the place of qunut is among the varied sunnah practices: one may do it this way at times, and that way at other times.

And he says: “O Allah, guide me among those whom You have guided, …

His statement, “O Allah, guide me among those whom You have guided”: the apparent meaning of his words is that one does not begin with anything before this supplication. But the sound view is that one begins by saying: “O Allah, we seek Your help, seek Your guidance, seek Your forgiveness, and repent to You. We believe in You, rely upon You, praise You with all goodness, thank You, and do not disbelieve in You. O Allah, You alone we worship; for You we pray and prostrate; toward You we strive and hasten. We hope for Your mercy and fear Your punishment. Indeed, Your truly severe punishment will overtake the disbelievers” (3). Then one says: “O Allah, guide me among those whom You have guided,” and so on. This is what Imam Ahmad, may Allah have mercy on him, said, because it is praise of Allah, and praise comes before supplication, for it opens the door to supplication.