What is the Qunut supplication? And what is the ruling on not performing it?

Qunut, linguistically, means supplication (du'a). Technically, it is a specific supplication performed during prayer while standing, in a designated place. The recommended supplication for it is: "O Allah, guide me among those whom You have guided..." Qunut is recommended in the Witr prayer, in its last rak'ah, after bowing (ruku'), according to the Hanbalis and Shafi'is. As for qunut in prayers other than Witr, jurists have differed regarding it. Some have affirmed its sunnah status, such as the Shafi'is and Malikis, while others have denied its sunnah status, such as the Hanafis and Hanbalis. The latter view is closer to the hadith: "Any innovation, son," or "My son, it is an innovation."