Recited in the last rakah of the Witr prayer, the recitation of dua-e-Qunoot in the Witr prayer is an essential component of the Witr prayer. Witr prayer is a wajib, 3 rakah prayer offered with the Isha prayer. Reciting dua-e-Qunoot in the Witr prayer is a sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). Narrated by Ali ibn Abi Talib (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) and reported in Sunan Ibn Majah,1179, Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) used to say this prayer at the end of the Witr Prayer. The word Qunoot in Arabic means standing or obedient. The purpose of reciting this dua is to submit one's self to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) and seek forgiveness and seek refuge in Him from the evil of the world. In essence, this dua is recited for protection from the wrath of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) in this world and hereafter.
Prayer (FR) Duas (FR)
Allaahum-mahdinee feeman hadayta, wa 'aafinee feeman 'aafayta, wa tawallanee feeman tawallayta, wa baarik lee feemaa 'a'atayta, wa qinee sharra maa qadhayta, fa'innaka taqdhee wa laa yuqdhaa 'alayka, 'innahu laa yathillu man waalayta, wa laa ya 'izzu man 'aadayta, tabaarakta Rabbanaa wa ta'aalayta.
« Ô Seigneur ! Guide-moi parmi ceux que Tu as guidés, accorde-moi le salut (ou la santé) parmi ceux auxquels Tu l’as accordé, prends-moi en charge parmi ceux que Tu as pris en charge, bénis ce que Tu m’as donné, épargne-moi le mal que Tu as décrété, car c’est Toi certes qui juge et on ne peut Te juger. Ne sera jamais humilié celui que Tu prends en charge [comme il ne sera jamais honoré celui que Tu as pris comme ennemi]. Béni sois-Tu, ô Seigneur et sois exalté. »
Allaahumma 'innee 'a'oothu biridhaaka rain sakhatika, wa bimu'aafaatika min 'uqoobatika, wa 'a'oothu bika minka, laa 'uhsee thanaa'an 'alayka, 'Anta kamaa 'athnayta 'alaa nafsika.
« Ô Seigneur! Je cherche protection dans Ta satisfaction contre Ta colère, dans Ton pardon contre Ton châtiment et en Toi contre Toi-même. Je ne pourrais Te louer ni Te remercier autant que Tu T’es loué Toi-même. »
Allaahumma 'iyyaaka na'budu, wa laka nusallee wa nasjudu, wa 'ilayka nas'aa wa nahfidu, narjoo rahmataka, wa nakhshaa 'athaabaka, 'inna 'athaabaka bilkaafireena mulhaq. Allaahumma 'innaa nasta'eenuka, wa nastaghfiruka, wa nuthnee 'alaykal-khayr, wa laa nakfuruka, wa nu'minu bika, wa nakhdha'u laka, wa nakhla'u man yakfuruka.
« Ô Seigneur! C’est Toi seul que nous adorons, c’est Toi que nous prions, devant Toi que nous nous prosternons et c’est vers Toi que nous accourons. Nous espérons Ta miséricorde et nous craignons Ton châtiment car Ton châtiment atteindra sûrement les mécréants. Ô Seigneur! Nous demandons Ton aide et Ton pardon ; nous Te louons avec les plus belles formules, nous ne sommes pas ingrats envers Toi, nous croyons en Toi et nous nous soumettons à Toi. Et nous désavouons totalement ceux qui sont ingrats envers Toi. »
Dua Qunoot in the witr prayer is recited in the last rakah of the witr prayer after reciting surah Fatiha in Qayyam (the standing position). The order of reciting this dua varies according to different schools of thought. Some scholars suggest that it is to be recited before the ruku, and some suggest that it is to be recited after the ruku and before the prostration.
Dua e Qunoot in the witr prayer is recited by Muslims to seek forgiveness and guidance from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) for life in this world and hereafter. Reciting this dua can help one acknowledge their shortcomings and submit themselves to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) as the disposer of one's affair and the most forgiving one. It helps one to strengthen their connection with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) and makes them mindful of their actions in their world. This dua offers Muslims the opportunity to reflect and work on bettering themselves and staying away from sin.