’ (meaning: the latter part of the night). The people would stand in prayer during its first part. (Another narration adds: During the latter half of Ramadan (1), they would curse the unbelievers: ‘O Allah, fight the unbelievers who turn others away from Your path, deny the truthfulness of Your messengers, and do not believe in Your promise. Sow discord among them, cast terror into their hearts, and cast upon them Your torment and punishment, O God of truth.’ He would then invoke blessings upon the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, supplicate for the Muslims with whatever good he could, and seek forgiveness for the believers. He said: When he had finished cursing the unbelievers, invoking blessings upon the Prophet, seeking forgiveness for the believing men and women, and making his petitions, he would say: ‘O Allah, You alone we worship; to You we pray and prostrate; toward You we strive, and we hasten to serve You. We hope for Your mercy, O our Lord, and fear Your punishment, which is certain. Indeed, Your punishment will surely overtake those whom You have taken as enemies.’ He would then proclaim Allah’s greatness and descend into prostration.)” (2).

I say: The point of evidence lies in the words, “He would then proclaim Allah’s greatness and descend into prostration,” for they show that the supplication of qunūt in Witr was made after bowing. Had the supplication followed the recitation, he would have proclaimed Allah’s greatness as he went into bowing, not as he went into prostration. Allah is the source of success.