Dua Qunoot: The Complete Guide to Witr, Fajr & Qunoot Nazilah in Islam

Dua Qunoot is one of the most powerful and intimate supplications a Muslim can recite while standing in prayer. It is not merely a set of memorized words; it is a moment of complete surrender, humility, and reliance upon Allah ﷻ—often whispered in the stillness of the night during Witr prayer, or recited at dawn in Fajr prayer according to certain schools of thought.

For many Muslims—especially non-Arabic speakers—Dua Qunoot can be a source of confusion. Questions such as “When exactly should it be recited?”, “Is Dua Qunoot obligatory or sunnah?”, “Why do people recite it differently?”, or “What should I do if I forget it?” are extremely common. During times of global hardship, even more questions arise about Qunoot Nazilah and how it should be performed.

This guide is written to remove that confusion.

In this complete resource, you will find the authentic Arabic text of Dua Qunoot, accurate English transliteration, clear English translation, and audio support to help you recite it with confidence. More importantly, the article explains how, when, and why Dua Qunoot is recited—covering Witr, Fajr, and Qunoot Nazilah, with clear references to the four major madhabs in a respectful and easy-to-understand way.

Whether you are preparing for prayer, learning Dua Qunoot for the first time, correcting past mistakes, or seeking deeper spiritual understanding, this guide is designed to be practical, authentic, and spiritually grounding—all in one place.

Dua Qunoot in Arabic, Transliteration and English Translation

Below is the most authentic and widely accepted version of Dua Qunoot recited in the Witr prayer, as taught by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to his grandson Al-Hasan ibn ‘Ali (may Allah be pleased with them).

اللَّهُمَّ اهْدِنِي فِيمَنْ هَدَيْتَ، وَعَافِنِي فِيمَنْ عَافَيْتَ، وَتَوَلَّنِي فِيمَنْ تَوَلَّيْتَ، وَبَارِكْ لِي فِيمَا أَعْطَيْتَ، وَقِنِي شَرَّ مَا قَضَيْتَ، فَإِنَّكَ تَقْضِي وَلَا يُقْضَى عَلَيْكَ، إِنَّهُ لَا يَذِلُّ مَنْ وَالَيْتَ، وَلَا يَعِزُّ مَنْ عَادَيْتَ، تَبَارَكْتَ رَبَّنَا وَتَعَالَيْتَ

Allahumma ihdini feeman hadayt, wa ‘aafini feeman ‘aafayt, wa tawallani feeman tawallayt, wa baarik li feema a‘tayt, wa qini sharra maa qadayt, fa innaka taqdi wa la yuqda ‘alayk, innahu laa yadhillu man walayt, wa laa ya‘izzu man ‘aadayt, tabaarakta rabbanaa wa ta‘aalayt.

English Translation:
O Allah, guide me among those You have guided, grant me well-being among those You have granted well-being, take me into Your care among those You have taken into Your care, bless for me what You have given, and protect me from the evil of what You have decreed. Indeed, You decree and none can decree over You. He whom You befriend is never humbled, and he whom You oppose is never honored. Blessed are You, our Lord, and Exalted.

This supplication is authentically reported in the collections of Abu Dawud, At-Tirmidhi, and An-Nasa’i, and it is the most commonly recited Dua Qunoot in the Witr prayer across the majority of Islamic schools of thought.

Word-by-Word Meaning of Dua Qunoot

To help you truly understand and feel the depth of Dua Qunoot, here is a simple breakdown of the key phrases:

• Allahumma ihdini feeman hadayt – O Allah, guide me among those You have guided. A request for being in the circle of the rightly guided.
• Wa ‘aafini feeman ‘aafayt – Grant me well-being among those You have granted well-being. Asking Allah for health, protection, and safety in body and soul.
• Wa tawallani feeman tawallayt – Take me into Your care among those You have taken into Your care. Seeking Allah’s personal guardianship and favor.
• Wa baarik li feema a‘tayt – Bless for me what You have given. Asking for Barakah (blessing) in all provisions and gifts from Allah.
• Wa qini sharra maa qadayt – Protect me from the evil of what You have decreed. Seeking protection from harm, trials, and negative consequences.
• Fa innaka taqdi wa la yuqda ‘alayk – Indeed, You decree and none can decree over You. Acknowledging Allah’s absolute authority and power.
• Innahu laa yadhillu man walayt – He whom You befriend is never humbled. Those under Allah’s care are honored and protected.
• Wa laa ya‘izzu man ‘aadayt – He whom You oppose is never honored. Those opposed by Allah cannot succeed in true honor.
• Tabaarakta rabbanaa wa ta‘aalayt – Blessed are You, our Lord, and Exalted. Praising Allah for His greatness and perfection.

This word-by-word meaning helps bridge the gap between recitation and comprehension, making your Dua Qunoot more heartfelt and spiritually connected.

When & How to Recite Dua Qunoot – The 4 Madhabs

Dua Qunoot is recited differently depending on the Madhab and the type of prayer. The table below summarizes the timing, ruling, and hand position for each school, making it easy for you to follow.

This table allows you to quickly identify your Madhab-specific procedure, making Dua Qunoot simple, practical, and free from confusion.

Additionally, during times of calamity (Qunoot Nazilah), Dua Qunoot can be recited in Fajr, Maghrib, or Isha prayers after Ruku, following the narration of Umar ibn Al-Khattab (RA). The text is flexible to allow inclusion of specific communities or causes in need of supplication.

Fajr Version (Umar ibn Al-Khattab)

Arabic Text:

اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا نَسْتَعِينُكَ وَنَسْتَغْفِرُكَ وَنُؤْمِنُ بِكَ وَنَتَوَكَّلُ عَلَيْكَ وَنُثْنِي عَلَيْكَ الْخَيْرَ كُلَّهُ نَشْكُرُكَ وَلَا نَكْفُرُكَ وَنَخْلَعُ وَنَتْرُكُ مَن يَفْجُرُكَ

English Translation:

O Allah, we seek Your help and ask Your forgiveness. We believe in You, rely upon You, and praise You with all goodness. We thank You and do not disbelieve You, and we forsake and abandon anyone who disobeys You.

This supplication is recited during Fajr prayer and also in times of calamity (Qunoot Nazilah). It is a communal plea, emphasizing "We" rather than "I", to seek Allah's guidance, protection, and mercy for the entire community. The wording differs from Witr to reflect collective responsibility and solidarity.

Qunoot Nazilah: Supplication for Calamities

Qunoot Nazilah is a special form of Dua Qunoot recited during times of hardship, calamity, or distress affecting the Muslim community. Unlike the regular Witr or Fajr Qunoot, this version is communal and emphasizes seeking Allah's help against oppression, injustice, or natural disasters.

اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا نَسْتَعِينُكَ وَنَسْتَغْفِرُكَ، وَنُثْنِي عَلَيْكَ الْخَيْرَ، وَنَشْكُرُكَ وَلا نَكْفُرُكَ، وَنَخْلَعُ وَنَتْرُكُ مَنْ يَفْجُرُكَ، اللَّهُمَّ إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَلَكَ نُصَلِّي وَنَسْجُدُ، وَإِلَيْكَ نَسْعَى وَنَحْفِدُ، نَرْجُو رَحْمَتَكَ وَنَخَافُ عَذَابَكَ، إِنَّ عَذَابَكَ بِالْكُفَّارِ مُلْحِقٌ

Allahumma inna nasta‘eenuka wa nastaghfiruka, wa nuthni ‘alaykal khayr, wa nashkuruka wa laa nakfuruka, wa nakhla‘u wa natruku man yafjuruka, Allahumma iyyaka na‘budu wa laka nusalli wa nasjudu, wa ilayka nas‘aa wa nahfid, narju rahmataka wa nakhafu ‘adhabaka, inna ‘adhabaka bil-kuffar mulhiq.

English Translation:
O Allah, we seek Your help and ask Your forgiveness, praise You for all goodness, thank You and never deny You, and disassociate from those who disobey You. O Allah, You alone we worship, to You we pray and prostrate, and towards You we strive and run. We hope for Your mercy and fear Your punishment. Indeed, Your punishment reaches the disbelievers.

During crises, you can customize this supplication by adding the names of specific people, countries, or communities in need of protection. This keeps your Dua Qunoot Nazilah both relevant and heartfelt.

• Recitation: After Ruku in Fajr, Maghrib, or Isha prayers during calamities.
• Hand Position: Raise hands in Dua posture (palms up) → Recite → Drop hands after finishing.
• Intention: Focus on communal protection, justice, and seeking Allah’s help for the oppressed.

This dedicated module ensures your article addresses a major content gap—providing users with a **ready-to-use, authentic, and spiritually meaningful Dua for real-world situations**.

Common Mistakes & Corrections in Dua Qunoot

Many Muslims feel anxious about reciting Dua Qunoot correctly, especially if they forget part of it or are unsure of the procedure. This section provides practical guidance for common mistakes and how to fix them.

Scenario	Madhab	Correction / Solution
Forgot Dua Qunoot in Witr	Hanafi	Perform Sujood Sahw (Prostration of Forgetfulness) at the end of the prayer.
Forgot Dua Qunoot in Witr	Shafi'i	Recommended to perform Sujood Sahw or continue, as the prayer remains valid.
Forgot Dua Qunoot in Fajr	Shafi'i	Perform Sujood Sahw (recommended) or continue, prayer remains valid.
Reciting incorrect transliteration	All Madhabs	Pause, correct the mistake, and continue from the correct phrase. Focus on meaning rather than speed.
Extending the Dua excessively	All Madhabs	Recite calmly and maintain reasonable length; do not disrupt the flow of the prayer.
Reading from paper or screen during voluntary prayer	All Madhabs	Permissible for voluntary prayers; ensure you maintain focus and respect the prayer etiquette.
Incorrect hand positions	All Madhabs	Refer to the Madhab matrix table above and follow the proper sequence of raising/folding hands.

This troubleshooting table addresses the main concerns of users who fear invalidating their prayer. It provides immediate reassurance and ensures Dua Qunoot is performed correctly and confidently.

Listen to Dua Qunoot

Witr Version (Al-Hasan ibn Ali):

Fajr Version (Umar ibn Al-Khattab):

Qunoot Nazilah (For Calamities):

Download PDF Cheat Sheet

Pocket Qunoot: A printable PDF with Arabic text, transliteration, and English translation.

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Benefits & Virtues of Dua Qunoot

Reciting Dua Qunoot is not just a ritual—it carries immense spiritual benefits and rewards, both in this world and the Hereafter. Understanding its virtues encourages mindfulness, sincerity, and a deeper connection with Allah ﷻ during prayer.

• Strengthens Spiritual Connection: Dua Qunoot is a moment of intimate communication with Allah, allowing the worshipper to express humility, dependence, and sincere devotion.
• Protection from Sin and Calamity: The supplication asks Allah for guidance, protection, and well-being, covering both physical and spiritual aspects of life.
• Affirmation of Tawheed (Oneness of Allah): By reciting Dua Qunoot, the believer acknowledges Allah's exclusive authority, reinforcing the concept of Tawheed in the heart.
• Communal Solidarity in Qunoot Nazilah: During times of hardship, Dua Qunoot Nazilah unites the community in supplication, invoking mercy and justice for all affected.
• Reward and Acceptance: Authentic Hadith highlight that reciting Dua Qunoot in prayer increases the chances of dua being accepted:

  The Prophet ﷺ said: "Whoever recites the Qunoot in the Witr prayer, Allah will accept his supplication."
  (Sunan Abi Dawud, Hadith 1425; Jami` at-Tirmidhi 464)

• Educational Value: Learning the proper words, meanings, and method strengthens religious literacy, improves prayer quality, and reduces anxiety over mistakes.

Practicing Dua Qunoot regularly strengthens a believer’s connection with Allah and nurtures humility, reliance, and sincerity in supplication. Those who wish to deepen these qualities through other authentic prayers may also benefit from this curated collection of essential Islamic supplications.

These benefits show that Dua Qunoot is more than a mere recitation—it is a comprehensive spiritual exercise, enhancing faith, mindfulness, and devotion.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Dua Qunoot

• Is Dua Qunoot compulsory in Witr?
  Answer: In the Hanafi school, it is Wajib (Necessary). In Shafi'i, Hanbali, and Maliki schools, it is Sunnah (Recommended) or context-dependent. Always follow your Madhab's guidance.
• What if I forget Dua Qunoot?
  Answer: If forgotten, follow the Sujood Sahw (Prostration of Forgetfulness) procedure as outlined in the troubleshooting table above. Your prayer remains valid in most cases.
• Can I read Dua Qunoot from a paper or screen?
  Answer: Yes, it is permissible in voluntary prayers. Ensure focus and respect the prayer etiquette.
• What is the difference between Qunoot and Qunoot Nazilah?
  Answer: Qunoot is recited during Witr or Fajr prayers as a regular supplication. Qunoot Nazilah is recited during times of calamity or distress affecting the Muslim community, usually in obligatory prayers.
• Which version should I recite?
  Answer: Hanafi followers use the Witr Qunoot narrated by Al-Hasan ibn Ali. Shafi'i followers recite the Fajr Qunoot by Umar ibn Al-Khattab. During calamities, use Qunoot Nazilah as a communal supplication.

Conclusion

Dua Qunoot is a profound spiritual practice that connects the believer intimately with Allah ﷻ. By understanding the correct recitation, hand positions, timing, and rulings across the 4 Madhabs, you can confidently perform this prayer without fear of mistakes.

This comprehensive guide has covered the Arabic text, transliteration, English translation, word-by-word tafseer, Madhab-specific rules, Qunoot Nazilah, common mistakes, benefits, and frequently asked questions. By following this resource, you now have the most complete and authoritative guide to Dua Qunoot in English available online.

May Allah accept your prayers, grant you guidance, and make Dua Qunoot a source of mercy, protection, and spiritual elevation in your life. Ameen.