What is Dua e Qunoot?
Are you looking for masnoon Dua e Qunoot to recite in Salah? Want to know the meaning of Dua e Qunoot to bring Khush'u in your prayer? Here's a complete guide for you.
Dua e Qunoot is a Sunnah supplication that the Holy Prophet used to recite in Witr prayer. It's a comprehensive Dua to seek guidance from Allah. However, there are a couple of Ahadith that report Sunnah supplication for Qunoot. So, which one is most authentic? This guide covers all such questions about Dua e Qunoot and how or when to recite it. So, let's read ahead.
What Does Dua e Qunoot Mean?
The term Dua e Qunoot literally means the supplication to recite in Qunoot. Specifically, Qunoot is a word that comes from Arabic word, Qanata and also denotes the position of Qiyyam of Muslims in a Salah. Qanata means obedience, humility, humbleness and devotion. In fact, the Holy Prophet taught a special Dua to his companions to recite in Qunoot of Witr Salah. This is the reason Muslims recognize this by this term "Dua e Qunoot".
Why Recite Dua e Qunoot in Witr Prayer?
Reciting Dua e Qunoot in Witr is a Sunnah act which is highly significant in Islam. And in fact, Dua e Qunoot is a perfect supplication for a Muslim to ask Allah while standing in front of him. So, it develops a strong bond of believers with Allah and make them realize they are worthless but Allah is the only who is Qadir on every thing happening to them.
Masnoon Dua e Qunoot to recite in Salah
There are two authentic Ahadith regarding Dua e Qunoot to recite in Salah, specifically in Witr. But which one you have to memorize and recite? Or which one is the most acceptable? Well, here are both the versions of Dua e Qunoot to understand with their meanings.
Dua e Qunoot (Narrated through Hazrat Hasan ibn Ali)
Sunan Abu Dawood, Tirmidhi, Nasai and others have quoted this Dua e Qunoot in an authentic Hadith. So, Shafii Hanbali and many Maliki scholars recite this Dua as a Sunnah act and even Hanfi scholars accept this Dua. Here's how it reads:
اللَّهُمَّ اهْدِنِي فِيمَنْ هَدَيْتَ
وَعَافِنِي فِيمَنْ عَافَيْتَ
وَتَوَلَّنِي فِيمَنْ تَوَلَّيْتَ
وَبَارِكْ لِي فِيمَا أَعْطَيْتَ
وَقِنِي شَرَّ مَا قَضَيْتَ
فَإِنَّكَ تَقْضِي وَلَا يُقْضَى عَلَيْكَ
وَإِنَّهُ لَا يَذِلُّ مَنْ وَالَيْتَ
تَبَارَكْتَ رَبَّنَا وَتَعَالَيْتَ
How to recite properly? (Transliteration)
Follow this English text to accurately pronounce the Arabic version of Dua e Qunoot and boost your memorization.
- Allahumma ihdinii feeman hadayt.
- Wa aafinii feeman aafayt.
- Wa tawallanii feeman tawallayt.
- Wa barik lii feema aatayt.
- Wa qinii sharra ma qadayt.
- Fa innaka taqdi wa la yuqda alayk.
- Innahu la yadhillu man walayt.
- Wa la yaizzu man aadayt.
- Tabarakta rabbana wa taalayt.
Meaning:
- O Allah, guide us among those You have guided.
- Grant us well being among those You have granted well being.
- Take us into Your care among those You have taken into Your care.
- Bless for us what You have given us.
- Protect us from the evil of what You have decreed.
- Indeed, You decree and none can decree over You.
- He whom You befriend is never humiliated,
- And he whom You oppose is never honored.
- Blessed are You, our Lord, and Exalted.
Dua e Qunoot (Narrated through Hazrat Umar bin al-Khattab)
The following is a dua that Hanafi scholars recite in Witr Salah. Hazrat Umar used to recite this Dua in Fajr Salah and his companions used to say Ameen after it. It's also an authentic Dua and here's how it reads:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا نَسْتَعِينُكَ وَنَسْتَغْفِرُكَ
وَنُؤْمِنُ بِكَ وَنَتَوَكَّلُ عَلَيْكَ
وَنُثْنِي عَلَيْكَ الْخَيْرَ
وَنَشْكُرُكَ وَلَا نَكْفُرُكَ
وَنَخْلَعُ وَنَتْرُكُ مَنْ يَفْجُرُكَ
اللَّهُمَّ إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ
وَلَكَ نُصَلِّي وَنَسْجُدُ
وَإِلَيْكَ نَسْعَى وَنَحْفِدُ
نَرْجُو رَحْمَتَكَ وَنَخْشَى عَذَابَكَ
إِنَّ عَذَابَكَ بِالْكُفَّارِ مُلْحِقٌ
How to recite it? (Transliteration)
Here is the English text of Dua e Qunoot to accurately pronounce it and boost its memorization.
Allahumma inna nastaeenuka Wa nastaghfiruka
Wa numinu bika Wa natawakkalu alayka
Wa nusni alaykal khayr
Wa nashkuruka Wa la nakfuruka
Wa nakhla wa natruku man yafjuruk
Allahumma iyyaka nabudu
Wa laka nusalli wa nasjud
Wa ilayka nasaa wa nahfid
Narju rahmatak Wa nakhsha azaabak
Inna azaabaka bil kuffari mulhiq
Meaning:
O Allah, we seek Your help and Your forgiveness.
We believe in You and rely upon You.
We praise You with all goodness.
We thank You and do not deny You.
We forsake and abandon those who disobey You.
O Allah, You alone we worship.
To You we pray and prostrate.
To You we hasten and strive.
We hope for Your mercy and fear Your punishment.
Indeed, Your punishment will surely reach the disbelievers.
Which Dua e Qunoot Should You Recite?
Dua e Qunoot that Hazrat Hasan bin Ali narrated is an authentic one that Muslims must memorize and recite in Witr Salah. This is because all of the Islamic scholars think of this Dua as a Sunnah and authentic in terms of its meaning and significance. Even Hanafi scholars accept the wording of this Dua and confirm the authenticity. So, reciting this Dua in Qunoot of Witr Salah is the direct following of the Sunnah.
Even if one ponders on the meaning of both the versions of Dua e Qunoot, the result will be the same. One will definitely find the first version of Dua e Qunoot as authentic and exactly on the pattern of Dua for guidance and in fact for each aspect of one's life. However, one can also recite the second version of Dua in particular condition of calamities or hardships but not as a routine in Witr Salah. Walla hu A'alam
Why reciting Dua e Qunoot?
The recitation of Dua e Qunoot holds great benefits. Above all, reciting this Dua in Witr is the direct following of Sunnah which is a highly rewarding act. Besides Witr Salah, Dua e Qunoot is a perfect Dua to even ask Allah like other masnoon supplications. So, there are many spiritual benefits of this Dua as Hasn ibn Ali narrated it after learning it directly from the holy prophet.
Spiritual Benefits of Reciting Dua e Qunoot
Muslims recite Dua e Qunoot in Witr Salah and admit their reliance on Allah for everything. It's a way to ask Allah for guidance, protection, forgiveness and support. Even it confirms the oneness and superiority of Allah.
To Ask Allah for Guidance
Seeking guidance directly from Allah is the main theme of Dua e Qunoot. So, Muslims recite this Dua and ask Allah for guidance in faith, actions and decisions. It's the best way of submitting oneself to Allah in every matter.
Brings humility and submission to prayer
Making supplications develops a direct connection of believers with Allah and they can ask Allah for anything anytime without any protocol. However, Dua e Qunoot is a different supplication in a way that it has a special protocol.
The holy prophet suggested to recite this Dua in Witr prayer during Qiyam which is unique in itself. Therefore, it enhances the quality of prayer and shows complete submission of Muslims in front of Allah.
Develops a strong habit of asking from Allah
Offering Witr prayer and reciting Dua e Qunoot develops a strong habit of making supplications. Even if a Muslim don't have time to recite other masnoon supplications, Witr prayer is the best time to recite Dua e Qunoot and ask Allah while following the Sunnah. So, it's a way of including supplications in routine.
How and When to Recite Dua e Qunoot in Witr Salah
All of the religious schools of thought accept that the Holy Prophet used to recite Dua e Qunoot in Witr prayer. Sometimes, the prophet and even his companions used to recite it in any prayer other than Witr during hardships or collective trials. And so, it's an emphasized Sunnah but not an obligatory act.
Witr is the final prayer of the day that makes the Rak'ahs of Isha prayer odd. And it's the prayer that specifically include Dua e Qunoot. But there are different ways in which one can recite it in Witr Salah.
For example, the most acceptable way is to recite it in the third Rak'ah of Witr after reciting surah Fateha and any other surh from Quran. There's no need to recite Ta'ooz or tasmiya before its recitation. Even saying Allahu Akbar while raising hand is optional. Similarly, one can either recite it by raising hand for supplication or keep the same posture as during the Qiyyam.
In short, it's the humility and submission of oneself to Allah that matters during Salah. And following the Sunnah way further adds devotion to this act.
Final Words
In conclusion, Dua e Qunoot is a special Sunnah supplication that the holy prophet used to recite in Salah. It's a perfect Dua both in terms of words and reward. So, memorize the Sunnah Dua e Qunoot today and enhance the quality of your prayers.
FAQs
Is Dua-e-Qunoot mandatory in Witr?
No. Dua e Qunoot isn't mandatory in Witr prayer but a recommended Sunnah of the Holy Prophet. However, Witr prayer is not valid in Hanafi fiqh without reciting Dua e Qunoot.
Can Dua-e-Qunoot be recited after ruku?
Yes. According to authentic Sunnah, One can also recite Dua-e-Qunoot after ruku while standing after saying Sami‘ Allahu liman hamidah.
What if someone forgets Dua-e-Qunoot?
Witr prayer is completely valid even without reciting Dua e Qunoot. So, no sajdah sahw is needed when someone forgets Dua e Qunoot in Witr prayer.
Can women recite Dua-e-Qunoot silently?
Yes. In fact, women generally recite supplications quietly in a prayer including Dua e Qunoot.
Is Dua-e-Qunoot recited only in Ramadan?
No. Dua-e-Qunoot is not limited to Ramadan. It can be recited throughout the year in Witr prayer.