The Dua e Qunoot is a special blessing in Islam and is commonly part of the Witr prayer. It is meaningful religiously when people need divine assistance for safety, forgiveness, and strength. This article provides information about Dua e Qunoot, including its Arabic original, an English translation, and tips for Muslims to follow while reciting it.
What is Dua e Qunoot?
Dua e Qunoot is also read during the Witr prayer after bending or bowing (ruku) in the last rak’ah. According to the Sunni Hanafi Madhab, it is required in the Witr prayer. It is recited in others on some occasions and in exceptional circumstances only.
In Arabic, the word Qunoot means obedience, devotion, and submission. This supplication is characteristic of those qualities; it seeks Allah’s (SWT) imperatively.
Recitation of Dua e Qunoot
Dua e Qunoot is prayed only in the last rak’ah of the Witr prayer, mainly after ruku (bowing down). Depending on one’s school, it is recommended to read before reciting the ruku.
اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا نَسْتَعِينُكَ وَنَسْتَغْفِرُكَ وَنُثْنِي عَلَيْكَ الْخَيْرَ كُلَّهُ وَنَشْكُرُكَ وَلَا نَكْفُرُكَ وَنَخْلَعُ وَنَتْرُكُ مَنْ يَفْجُرُكَ اللَّهُمَّ إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَلَكَ نُصَلِّي وَنَسْجُدُ وَإِلَيْكَ نَسْعَى وَنَحْفِدُ وَنَرْجُو رَحْمَتَكَ وَنَخْشَىٰ عَذَابَكَ إِنَّ عَذَابَكَ بِالْكُفَّارِ مُلْحَقٌ
Translation of Dua e Qunoot
‘O Allah, I seek Your assistance and Your forgiveness. We trust in You and rely on You and bless You in the highest way. We bless You and we are not ingrateful to You, and we reject and depart from anyone who rebels against You.
Oh Allah, for us You are the only object of our prostration to and something only to You. Through You, we labor and we run, and we look forward to Your compassion; and we avoid Your anger. Indeed, your torment will surely befall the disbelievers.”
Meanings and Importance of Qunoot in Dua
The Dua e Qunoot is crucial as it includes glorifying Allah (SWT), seeking His assistance and repentance from sins, and asking His compassion while praying for His wrath. Let’s break down the meaning of powerful supplication:
- Seeking Allah’s Help and Forgiveness: In the dua, one starts by appealing for Allah’s support or invoking His mercy. This is because we remain servants and debtors to Allah, who always needs His favor and forgiveness.
- Gratitude and Praise: The supplicant, in turn, assembles the Invocation of Allah, thanking Him and confessing to having received numerous bounties from Him. It emphasizes the importance of recognizing that every blessing is from Allah and that everyone should be grateful to Him.
- Rejecting Disobedience: The dua also says the Prophet should turn his back on those who disobey Allah. This depicts the believers, especially the prophets and those who refrain from following the Lord’s word.
- Complete Devotion: The supplication states that all the formalities of the prayer rites, like recitation and prostrations, are for Him. This accords with the tenets of monism, in which only Allah is worthy of worship and to whom obedience is due.
- Hoping for Mercy and Fearing Punishment: The last verse of the dua is a joint Islamic statement after invoking Allah that declares hope in Allah’s favor. Allah’s form of Allah’s AllaAllah’s. These two sons of Allah’s believers deal with Allah through motivation to do good and abstention from sinful deeds.
When to Recite Dua e Qunoot
The Benefits of Reciting Dua e Qunoot
- Strengthens Connection with Allah: The repetition of Dua e Qunoot seems to re-establish the stance of badness or slavery in Allah. Mercy and guidance are in His hands alone.
- Spiritual Comfort: The supplication gives hope from Allah through a rescue from all those difficulties, strengthening the faithful’s faith.
- Forgiveness and Mercy: Dua e Qunoot asks for forgiveness for one’s sins and shortcomings and then approaches Allah with a repentant heart.
- Protection from Trials: Dua e Qunoot calms the heart in distress or at a difficult moment and assures us that Allah will help in every situation.
What is the purpose of Dua Qunoot?
The purpose of Dua Qunoot is to seek Allah’s guidance, protection, and mercy during prayer, especially in times of hardship, trials, or distress. The word Qunoot itself signifies devotion, obedience, and humility. This supplication is a means of showing submission to Allah, pleading for His aid and blessings.
In Witr prayer, the Dua Qunoot is recited to conclude the night prayers with a spiritual appeal to Allah. It strengthens the believer’s connection with their Lord by asking for forgiveness (maghfirah), strength against enemies, and success in both worldly life and the Hereafter. In times of crisis, such as war, calamity, or communal distress, a special Qunoot (known as Qunoot al-Nazilah) may be recited during obligatory prayers, invoking Allah’s help for the Ummah.
Thus, its purpose is deeply spiritual, aiming to fortify the believer’s heart, bring divine support, and demonstrate servitude to Allah.
What is the meaning of Qunoot?
The Arabic word Qunoot (قنوت) comes from the root ق-ن-ت, which conveys meanings such as obedience, devotion, humility, and sincere worship. In Islamic terminology, Qunoot refers to a special supplication made during standing (qiyam) in certain prayers.
Classically, scholars described Qunoot as:
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الدعاء في الصلاة في محل مخصوص من القيام – “A supplication during prayer, made in a specific part of standing.”
The word can also imply long-standing obedience and a state of submission in prayer, hence its use during Witr and special circumstances. This prayer shows the spiritual posture of the heart — humble, dependent, and seeking Allah’s mercy.
Can you pray Witr without Dua Qunoot?
Yes, you can pray Witr without reciting Dua Qunoot, and your prayer will still be valid. Reciting Dua Qunoot in Witr is a Sunnah (recommended) and not obligatory (fardh), according to the majority of scholars, including those from the Hanafi, Shafi’i, Maliki, and Hanbali schools of thought, with minor variations in emphasis.
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In the Hanafi school, Qunoot in Witr is considered Wajib (necessary but not obligatory). If missed, a sujood as-sahw (prostration of forgetfulness) is performed.
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In the Shafi’i and Hanbali schools, it is considered Sunnah and is recited particularly during the second half of Ramadan.
Therefore, while encouraged for spiritual completeness, its omission does not invalidate the Witr prayer.
When should you recite Dua Qunoot?
Dua Qunoot is recited during the final Rak’ah of the Witr prayer, after the recitation of Surah Al-Fatiha and another surah, before going into Rukoo ‘(bowing). The correct placement is:
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Say Allahu Akbar after finishing the surah.
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Raise your hands and recite the Dua Qunoot while standing.
However, in some traditions, particularly in the Maliki school, the Qunoot is recited after rising from Rukoo‘.
Apart from Witr, Qunoot al-Nazilah may also be recited in Fajr or other prayers during times of difficulty (e.g., war, famine, pandemic). This was practiced by the Prophet ﷺ when calamities befell the Muslim Ummah.
It is regularly recited in Witr and occasionally in other prayers during times of distress.
What is the power of Dua Qunoot?
The power of Dua Qunoot lies in its ability to deeply connect the heart of a believer with Allah, especially during the solemn moments of night prayer. Here’s what makes it spiritually powerful:
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It invokes divine guidance, seeking Allah’s help to remain on the straight path.
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It pleads for protection from harm, whether it’s physical, spiritual, or emotional.
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It affirms Allah’s sovereignty, acknowledging that all decisions are in His control.
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It builds humility by recognizing one’s dependence on Allah’s mercy.
Moreover, when recited with sincerity during Witr, especially in Tahajjud (the night prayer), Dua Qunoot becomes a transformative moment, softening the heart and increasing Tawakkul (trust in Allah).
The Prophet ﷺ would use Qunoot to unite the community in du’a, particularly when seeking relief from communal trials. Hence, its power is both personal and collective, capable of changing individual lives and uplifting entire communities through divine mercy.
Conclusion
Dua e Qunoot is a powerful and meaningful supplication that plays a vital role in Islamic worship, especially during the Witr prayer. It encompasses praise, gratitude, repentance, and hope in Allah’s mercy while recognizing His power and authority. By regularly reciting this dua, Muslims can strengthen their relationship with Allah, seek His help, and stay connected to their faith.
We want every Muslim to practice Dua e Qunoot in the Witr prayer and be familiar with its meaning. For more information about supplications and their translation, please check out three courses at Kanzolquran.org: Prayer and Its Types, Prayers Related to Faith, and Supplications in Prayer.
