Dua Qunoot in the Witr prayer


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.
 

Hisnul Muslim (TH)

Prayer (TH) Duas (TH)

1
اللَّهُمَّ اهْدِنِي فِيمَنْ هَدَيْتَ، وَعَافِنِي فِيمَنْ عَافَيْتَ، وَتَوَلَّنِي فِيمَنْ تَوَلَّيْتَ، وَبَارِكْ لِي فِيمَا أَعطَيْتَ، وَقِنِي شَرَّ مَا قَضَيْتَ، فَإِنَّكَ تَقْضِي وَلَا يُقْضَى عَلَيْكَ، إِنَّهُ لَا يَذِلُّ مَنْ وَالَيْتَ، وَلَا يَعِزُّ مَنْ عَادَيْتَ، تَبَارَكْتَ رَبَّنَا وَتَعَالَيْتَ

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.

[Hisnul (TH) 116] [Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah, An-Nasa'i, At-Tirmizi, Ahmad, Ad-Darimi, Al-Hakim, Al-Bayhaqi.]

2
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِرِضَاكَ مِنْ سَخَطِكَ، وَبِمُعَافَاتِكَ مِنْ عُقُوبَتِكَ، وأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْكَ، لَا أُحْصِي ثَنَاءً عَلَيْكَ، أَنْتَ كَمَا أَثْنَيْتَ عَلَى نَفْسِكَ

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.

[Hisnul (TH) 117] [Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah, An-Nasa'i, At-Tirmizi, Ahmad.]

3
اللَّهُمَّ إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ، وَلَكَ نُصَلِّي وَنَسْجُدُ، وَإِلَيْكَ نَسْعَى وَنَحْفِدُ، نَرْجُو رَحْمَتَكَ، وَنَخْشَى عَذَابَكَ، إِنَّ عَذَابَكَ بِالْكَافِرِينَ مُلْحَقٌ. اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا نَسْتَعِينُكَ، وَنَسْتَغْفِرُكَ، وَنُثْنِي عَلَيْكَ الْخَيْرَ، وَلَا نَكْفُرُكَ، وَنُؤْمِنُ بِكَ، وَنَخْضَعُ لَكَ، وَنَخْلَعُ مَنْ يَكْفُرُكَ

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.

[Hisnul (TH) 118] [Al-Bayhaqi.]


Etiquettes of Reciting Dua Qunoot in the Witr Prayer


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.


Benefits Of Reciting Dua Qunoot in the Witr Prayer


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.

FAQs: (TH)

No, it is not obligatory to recite dua Qunoot in the Witr prayer; it is preferable. One may recite it from a book or paper if one doesn't know it by heart.
Instead of dua e qunoot, one can recite the following ayah Quran 2:201 at least three times. ُ رَبَّنَآ ءَاتِنَا فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةًۭ وَفِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ حَسَنَةًۭ وَقِنَا عَذَابَ ٱلنَّارِ ٢٠١
Witr can be completed without reciting dua e Qunoot. Another dua can be recited in its stead.