Dua Qunoot (also referred to as Dua-e-Qunoot or Qunut Dua) is a special supplication mentioned in the hadith.
It is widely recited and known for its association with Witr Salah.
However, followers of the Shafi’i school may be familiar with reciting the Qunoot Dua regularly in Salatul Fajr (Dawn Prayer), while other schools hold different positions on its recitation.
So, which is the correct view?
The correct position is that the Qunoot Dua can be recited at any time. The Prophet (ﷺ) is known to have recited Qunoot in Fajr, Maghrib, and Isha prayers.
Reciting Qunoot in Witr Salah is not mandatory. If you visit any masjid around the world, you may notice Imams reciting supplications from the heart, which may include various hadith and Quranic duas.
Nevertheless, based on the hadith, reciting Qunoot during Witr is a Sunnah (prophetic practice) or Mustahabb (recommended act).
Qunoot Dua in Arabic
Al-Hasan ibn Ali (the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ)) stated that the Prophet (ﷺ) taught him the following Qunoot Dua to recite:
اللَّهُمَّ اهْدِنِي فِيمَنْ هَدَيْتَ وَعَافِنِي فِيمَنْ عَافَيْتَ وَتَوَلَّنِي فِيمَنْ تَوَلَّيْتَ وَبَارِكْ لِي فِيمَا أَعْطَيْتَ وَقِنِي شَرَّ مَا قَضَيْتَ إِنَّكَ تَقْضِي وَلاَ يُقْضَى عَلَيْكَ وَإِنَّهُ لاَ يَذِلُّ مَنْ وَالَيْتَ وَلاَ يَعِزُّ مَنْ عَادَيْتَ تَبَارَكْتَ رَبَّنَا وَتَعَالَيْتَ
Transliteration and English Translation
The transliteration below will assist you in memorization and recitation, followed by the English translation of the Dua:
Transliteration: Allahumma ihdini feeman hadayt, wa a’fini fiman afait, wa tawallani fiman tawallait, wa barik Li fima atait, wa qini sharra ma qadait, fa Innaka taqdi wa la yuqda Alaik, wa innahu la yadhillu man walait, tabarakta Rabbana wa ta’alait.
Translation: “O Allah, guide me among those You have guided, pardon me among those You have pardoned, befriend me among those You have befriended, bless me in what You have granted, and save me from the evil that You decreed. Indeed, You decree, and none can pass a decree upon You; indeed, he is not humiliated whom You have befriended. Blessed are You, our Lord, and Exalted.”
Second Version of Dua-e-Qunoot (Commonly Recited by Hanafi School)
Arabic Text:
اَللَّهُمَّ إنا نَسْتَعِينُكَ وَنَسْتَغْفِرُكَ وَنُؤْمِنُ بِكَ وَنَتَوَكَّلُ عَلَيْكَ وَنُثْنِئْ عَلَيْكَ الخَيْرَ وَنَشْكُرُكَ وَلَا نَكْفُرُكَ وَنَخْلَعُ وَنَتْرُكُ مَنْ ئَّفْجُرُكَ اَللَّهُمَّ إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَلَكَ نُصَلِّئ وَنَسْجُدُ وَإِلَيْكَ نَسْعأئ وَنَحْفِدُ وَنَرْجُو رَحْمَتَكَ وَنَخْشآئ عَذَابَكَ إِنَّ عَذَابَكَ بِالكُفَّارِ مُلْحَقٌ
Transliteration: Allahumma inna nasta-eenoka wa nastaghfiruka wa nu’minu bika wa natawakkalu alaika wa nusni alaikal khair, wa nashkuruka wala nakfuruka wa nakhla-oo wa natruku mai yafjuruka, Allah humma iyyaka na’budu wa laka nusalli wa nasjud wa ilaika nas aaa wa nahfizu wa narju rahma taka wa nakhshaa azaabaka inna azaabaka bil kuffari mulhik.
Meaning: “O Allah! We invoke You for help, beg for Your forgiveness, believe in You, and place our trust in You. We praise You in the best way possible, thank You, and are not ungrateful to You. We forsake and turn away from those who disobey You. O Allah! We worship only You, pray and prostrate to You, hasten towards You, and serve You. We hope for Your mercy and dread Your torment. Surely, the disbelievers shall incur Your torment.”
Which Version Should We Recite?
Ibn ‘Uqayl al-Hanbali (may Allah have mercy on him) stated that duas narrated from the Prophet (ﷺ) should be recited as they are, and any additions are permissible as a concession. He recommended reciting the well-known dua narrated by Al-Hasan ibn ‘Ali from the Prophet (ﷺ): “Allahumma ihdini…”
He also noted that there is no harm in adding the words narrated from ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him): “Allahumma inna nasta‘eenuka… (O Allah, we seek Your help)…”
Qunoot: Before or After Ruku?
Most scholars advise reciting Qunoot after bowing (Ruku) – that is, after saying “Sami Allahu liman hamidah, Rabbana lakal hamd.” After reciting Qunoot, you raise your hands for supplication, and once finished, the Imam says Takbeer (“Allahu Akbar”) and proceeds to Sujud (prostration).
It is also acceptable to recite the Qunoot dua before entering Ruku.
Is Dua Qunoot Mentioned in the Quran?
No, Dua-e-Qunoot is not mentioned in the Quran. It is a Sunnah (prophetic practice) of the Prophet (ﷺ).
About the Author
