Please give me some details of what the Qunut prayer is; I understand the Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, used to pray this abundantly during times of calamity. Tell me how this prayer is performed.

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

The Qunoot is the supplication said in the standing up position of the last Rak'ah of the prayer.

Abu Hurayrah narrated that the Prophet used to say after raising his head from Rukoo’ (bowing down position): “O Allah, guide me among those whom You have guided. Grant me safety among those whom You have granted safety. Take me into Your charge among those whom You have taken into Your charge. Bless me in what You have given me. Protect me from the evil that You have decreed, for You decree and nothing is decreed for You. And there is no humiliation for whom You take as a ward. Blessed and Exalted are You, our Lord.”

There are other words that can be said in the Qunoot supplication and the Muslim can ask Allah to satisfy his needs and it can be performed before Rukoo’ and the person can raise his hands in it. All forms are tolerable.

The Prophet used to say the Qunoot during crisis and calamities that befall Muslims. He used to seek help for Muslims and ask for the defeat and destruction of their enemy.

From this, we conclude that the Qunoot should be said in the last Rak’ah of the Fajr prayer. It can be done before Rukoo’ or after it and the person can say any authentic supplication while raising his hands. Now, if any calamity befalls Muslims, every Muslim should make the supplication in all his prayers for the triumph of Muslims and the defeat of their enemies.

For more benefit, please refer to Fatwa 89397, 89772, 90045, 121857, and 129369.

Allah knows best.