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Complete Dua e Qunoot in Arabic, Urdu Tarjuma & English Translation with PDF

dua e qunoot 2
Dua e Qunoot: Complete Guide (All Versions)

Dua e Qunoot is a special supplication recited standing during the Witr prayer, usually in the third rak’ah after Qur’an recitation (or after ruku, according to some schools). It asks Allah for guidance, protection, forgiveness, and blessing. There are more than one authentic version of this dua — the Hanafi school recites it in every Witr prayer, while other schools recite Qunoot mainly in Fajr prayer, or during Qunoot-e-Nazilah in times of hardship. This guide covers every version, in Arabic, Urdu tarjuma, and English translation, along with word-by-word meaning, correct method, and answers to the questions Pakistani Muslims ask most.

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

  • Dua e Qunoot is a supplication (dua) recited during Witr prayer, and in some traditions during Fajr.
  • There are two commonly recited authentic versions in Pakistan — a shorter one and a longer one — and scholars confirm both are correct to recite.
  • The Hanafi school recites it in every Witr prayer, standing after the third rak’ah’s Qur’an recitation, before ruku.
  • The Shafi’i, Maliki, and Hanbali schools generally reserve Qunoot for Fajr prayer during calamity (Qunoot-e-Nazilah), with some flexibility around Ramadan Witr.
  • If you haven’t memorized it, a short substitute dua is permissible until you learn it.
  • This guide covers Arabic text, Urdu tarjuma, English translation, word-by-word meaning, correct method, and a downloadable PDF — everything in one place.

What Is Dua e Qunoot?

Dua e Qunoot is a supplication asking Allah for guidance (hidayah), protection (‘afiyah), forgiveness (maghfirah), and blessing (barakah) in one’s life and after death. The word “Qunoot” carries the meaning of devotion, humility, and standing obediently before Allah in prayer.

It is not a verse of the Qur’an. It is a dua taught by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ — most famously to his grandson, Al-Hasan ibn Ali (RA) — and preserved through hadith literature. Because it is a supplication rather than a fixed Qur’anic recitation, more than one authentic wording exists, which is why you’ll find slightly different versions used across the Muslim world.

Dua e Qunoot in Arabic, Urdu Tarjuma and English Translation (Full Text — All Versions)

Many people search for “dua e qunoot 2” or ask “which dua e qunoot is correct” because two different versions are commonly taught in Pakistan. Both are authentic. Below are both, in full.

Version 1: Dua e Qunoot (Short) — Narrated from Al-Hasan ibn Ali (RA)

This is the version most commonly taught first, and the one most people mean when they search “dua e qunoot in english.”

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، وَلَا يَعِزُّ مَنْ عَادَيْتَ، تَبَارَكْتَ رَبَّنَا وَتَعَالَيْتَ
Allahumma ihdini fiman hadayt, wa ‘afini fiman ‘afayt, wa tawallani fiman tawallayt, wa barik li fima a’tayt, wa qini sharra ma qadayt, fa innaka taqdi wa la yuqda ‘alayk, wa innahu la yadhillu man walayt, wa la ya’izzu man ‘adayt, tabarakta Rabbana wa ta’alayt.
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 decide and none can decide over You; and none is humiliated whom You support, nor is anyone honored whom You oppose. Blessed and Exalted are You, our Lord.”
Urdu Tarjuma: اے اللہ! مجھے ہدایت دے ان لوگوں میں شامل کر کے جنہیں تو نے ہدایت دی، اور مجھے عافیت دے ان لوگوں میں شامل کر کے جنہیں تو نے عافیت دی، اور مجھے اپنی کفالت میں لے ان لوگوں میں شامل کر کے جنہیں تو نے اپنی کفالت میں لیا، اور مجھے برکت دے اس میں جو تو نے مجھے عطا فرمایا، اور مجھے اس کے شر سے بچا جو تو نے مقدر فرمایا، بے شک تو ہی فیصلہ کرتا ہے اور تیرے خلاف کوئی فیصلہ نہیں کر سکتا، بے شک وہ ذلیل نہیں ہوتا جس سے تو دوستی رکھے، اور وہ عزت نہیں پاتا جس سے تو دشمنی رکھے، اے ہمارے رب! تو بابرکت اور بلند و بالا ہے۔

Version 2: Dua e Qunoot (Longer) — “Allahumma Inna Nasta’inuka”

This is the version many Pakistani households know as “the” Dua e Qunoot, and it’s the one usually printed in Namaz booklets alongside Witr prayer instructions.

اَللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا نَسْتَعِيْنُکَ وَنَسْتَغْفِرُکَ، وَنُؤْمِنُ بِکَ وَنَتَوَکَّلُ عَلَيْکَ، وَنُثْنِيْ عَلَيْکَ الْخَيْرَ، وَنَشْکُرُکَ وَلَا نَکْفُرُکَ، وَنَخْلَعُ وَنَتْرُکُ مَنْ يَّفْجُرُکَ، اَللَّهُمَّ إِيَّاکَ نَعْبُدُ وَلَکَ نُصَلِّيْ وَنَسْجُدُ وَإِلَيْکَ نَسْعٰی وَنَحْفِدُ، وَنَرْجُوْا رَحْمَتَکَ وَنَخْشٰی عَذَابَکَ، إِنَّ عَذَابَکَ بِالْکُفَّارِ مُلْحِقٌ
Allahumma inna nasta’eenuka wa nastaghfiruka, wa nu’minu bika wa natawakkalu ‘alaika, wa nuthni ‘alaikal khair, wa nashkuruka wa la nakfuruka, wa nakhla’u wa natruku mai yafjuruk. Allahumma iyyaka na’budu wa laka nusalli wa nasjud, wa ilaika nas’a wa nahfid, wa narju rahmataka wa nakhsha ‘adhabaka, inna ‘adhabaka bil kuffari mulhiq.
English Translation: “O Allah, we seek Your help and ask Your forgiveness, and we believe in You and rely upon You, and we praise You with all good, and we thank You and are not ungrateful to You, and we forsake and turn away from whoever disobeys You. O Allah, You alone we worship, and to You we pray and prostrate, and to You we hasten and strive, and we hope for Your mercy and fear Your punishment; indeed Your punishment shall overtake the disbelievers.”
Urdu Tarjuma: اے اللہ! ہم تجھ ہی سے مدد مانگتے ہیں اور تجھ ہی سے بخشش مانگتے ہیں، اور ہم تجھ پر ایمان رکھتے ہیں اور تجھ ہی پر بھروسہ کرتے ہیں، اور ہم تیری بھلائی کے ساتھ تعریف کرتے ہیں، اور ہم تیرا شکر ادا کرتے ہیں اور تیری ناشکری نہیں کرتے، اور جو تیری نافرمانی کرے ہم اس سے قطع تعلق کرتے ہیں۔ اے اللہ! ہم تیری ہی عبادت کرتے ہیں اور تیرے لیے ہی نماز پڑھتے اور سجدہ کرتے ہیں، اور تیری ہی طرف دوڑتے اور کوشش کرتے ہیں، اور ہم تیری رحمت کی امید رکھتے ہیں اور تیرے عذاب سے ڈرتے ہیں، بیشک تیرا عذاب کافروں کو ضرور پہنچنے والا ہے۔

Hadith source (Version 1): Narrated by Al-Hasan ibn Ali (RA) — Sunan Abu Dawud 1425, Jami’ at-Tirmidhi 464, and Sunan an-Nasa’i 1746. Graded sahih/hasan by Al-Albani.

Source (Version 2): This wording is reported from Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA), originally used in the context of Qunoot al-Nazilah/Fajr rather than as a specific Witr hadith. It has been widely adopted in the Hanafi tradition — particularly in South Asia — and is commonly printed alongside Version 1 in Namaz booklets for recitation in Witr. Some Hanbali scholars (as noted by Ibn Muflih) held that combining both is also acceptable.

Note: Both versions are acceptable to recite. Some reciters also combine elements of both. If you follow the Ahle Hadees / Salafi method specifically, our dedicated Dua e Qunoot Ahle Hadees guide covers the exact wording and Sunnah method preferred in that tradition, along with its hadith references.

Dua e Qunoot Word by Word (Urdu and English Meaning)

Understanding each word helps you recite with meaning instead of by rote. Here is Version 1 broken down phrase by phrase:

Arabic PhraseTransliterationUrdu MeaningEnglish Meaning
اللَّهُمَّ اهْدِنِي فِيمَنْ هَدَيْتَAllahumma ihdini fiman hadaytاے اللہ، مجھے ہدایت دے ان میں جنہیں تو نے ہدایت دیO Allah, guide me among those You have guided
وَعَافِنِي فِيمَنْ عَافَيْتَwa ‘afini fiman ‘afaytاور مجھے عافیت دے ان میں جنہیں تو نے عافیت دیand grant me well-being among those You have granted well-being
وَتَوَلَّنِي فِيمَنْ تَوَلَّيْتَwa tawallani fiman tawallaytاور مجھے اپنی کفالت میں لےand take me into Your care among those You have taken into Your care
وَبَارِكْ لِي فِيمَا أَعْطَيْتَwa barik li fima a’taytاور برکت دے مجھے اس میں جو تو نے عطا کیاand bless for me what You have given
وَقِنِي شَرَّ مَا قَضَيْتَwa qini sharra ma qadaytاور مجھے اس کے شر سے بچا جو تو نے مقدر کیاand protect me from the evil of what You have decreed
فَإِنَّكَ تَقْضِي وَلَا يُقْضَى عَلَيْكَfa innaka taqdi wa la yuqda ‘alaykبیشک تو ہی فیصلہ کرتا ہے اور تیرے خلاف فیصلہ نہیں ہوتاindeed You decide, and none can decide over You
تَبَارَكْتَ رَبَّنَا وَتَعَالَيْتَtabarakta Rabbana wa ta’alaytاے ہمارے رب، تو بابرکت اور بلند ہےBlessed and Exalted are You, our Lord

When Is Dua e Qunoot Recited? (School of Thought Comparison)

The timing depends on which madhhab (school of Islamic law) you follow:

School of ThoughtWhen RecitedFrequency
HanafiWitr prayer, third rak’ah, after Qur’an recitation and before rukuEvery Witr prayer, year-round
Shafi’iFajr prayer, after ruku in the second rak’ahEvery Fajr prayer, and also in Witr during the last half of Ramadan
MalikiFajr prayer, before rukuEvery Fajr prayer, according to most Maliki scholars
HanbaliFajr or any prayer, only during calamity (Qunoot-e-Nazilah)Occasional, not a regular practice

Practice also differs by tradition beyond the four Sunni schools. If you’d like the Shafi’i method explained in full detail — including how it’s performed every Fajr — see our dedicated Dua e Qunoot Shafi’i guide. Shia practice of Qunoot differs in timing and wording from the Sunni versions above; our separate Dua e Qunoot Shia guide explains this in detail.

Dua e Qunoot: Before or After Ruku?

This is one of the most common points of confusion:

  • Method 1 (Hanafi): Recited standing, before ruku, in the third rak’ah of Witr, right after completing the Qur’an recitation.
  • Method 2 (Shafi’i/Hanbali): Recited standing, after rising from ruku, typically in Fajr prayer.

Neither is “more correct” — both are followed by authentic, established schools. Follow the method taught by your local scholar or the school of thought you follow.

How to Recite Dua e Qunoot in Witr Prayer (Step by Step)

This section follows the Hanafi method, since it is asked about most often:

  1. Complete the third rak’ah’s Qur’an recitation — Surah Al-Fatiha plus an additional surah.
  2. Say “Allahu Akbar” and raise your hands to your ears, as in the opening takbir.
  3. Fold your hands below the navel, as in normal standing (qiyam).
  4. Recite Dua e Qunoot — either version above. If you haven’t memorized it in Arabic, reciting it in your own language is permitted by many scholars until you learn it.
  5. Say “Allahu Akbar” and proceed to ruku, then complete the rest of the prayer as normal.

Qunoot-e-Nazilah: What It Is and How It’s Different from Witr Qunoot

Qunoot-e-Nazilah (قنوتِ نازلہ) is a special form of Qunoot recited during times of collective calamity, hardship, or crisis facing the Muslim community — famine, war, oppression, or natural disaster. It is distinct from the regular Witr Qunoot in three ways:

  • When: Added to Fajr prayer (and sometimes other obligatory prayers), not limited to Witr.
  • Why: Recited specifically in response to hardship affecting the wider Muslim community, not as a nightly practice.
  • Wording: Often includes additional supplications naming the specific hardship or asking for relief, alongside the standard Qunoot text.

The Prophet ﷺ and his companions, including Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA), are reported to have recited Qunoot-e-Nazilah during periods of difficulty facing the early Muslim community.

Agar Dua e Qunoot Yaad Na Ho Toh Kya Parhein? (What to Recite Instead)

If you haven’t memorized Dua e Qunoot yet, you are not required to skip Witr or leave the standing position empty. Scholars have specified a short substitute dua that is permissible to recite in its place until you learn the full text:

رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ
Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanatan wa fil-akhirati hasanatan wa qina ‘adhaban-nar
English Translation: “Our Lord, give us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.”
Urdu Tarjuma: اے ہمارے رب! ہمیں دنیا میں بھی بھلائی عطا فرما اور آخرت میں بھی بھلائی سے نواز اور ہمیں دوزخ کے عذاب سے بچا۔

Using this or reciting any short, known dua is considered better than skipping the standing supplication altogether out of shyness or hesitation. For more Witr-related duas and substitutes accepted across different schools, see our full Alternatives for Witr Prayer guide.

Is Dua e Qunoot Compulsory (Wajib) in Witr?

This depends entirely on which school of thought you follow:

  • Hanafi school: Reciting Dua e Qunoot in Witr is considered wajib (necessary). If forgotten and remembered before completing ruku, you should return to standing and recite it; if remembered only after the prayer, Sajdah Sahw (the forgetfulness prostration) is generally required.
  • Shafi’i, Maliki, and Hanbali schools: Generally treated as a recommended (sunnah) practice, not obligatory — so missing it does not require Sajdah Sahw in these schools.

Benefits of Reciting Dua e Qunoot

  • Strengthens dependence on Allah during the night prayer
  • Trains the heart in humility and sincere supplication
  • Connects the worshipper to a practice preserved since the earliest generations of Islam
  • Offers a structured way to ask for guidance, forgiveness, and protection in a single dua

For a full breakdown of these spiritual benefits with supporting narrations, see our dedicated Benefits of Dua e Qunoot page.

How to Memorize Dua e Qunoot Easily

  • Break it into chunks: Divide the dua into 5–6 short phrases rather than memorizing it as one block.
  • Understand the meaning first: Knowing what each phrase means (see the word-by-word table above) makes recall far easier than rote memorization.
  • Listen and repeat: Play an audio recitation, pause after each phrase, and repeat it aloud several times.
  • Write it down: Writing each chunk by hand engages memory differently than reading alone.
  • Practice in prayer: Once confident with a chunk, use it in your actual Witr prayer before moving to the next.

Most people memorize the short version within a few days of regular practice using this method.

Common Mistakes When Reciting Dua e Qunoot

  • Rushing through it without understanding the meaning — try to learn at least a general translation.
  • Mixing up the position — reciting after ruku when your school specifies before ruku, or vice versa.
  • Assuming there is only one “correct” version — both versions above are authentic; using either is not a mistake.
  • Skipping it out of shyness for not knowing Arabic — reciting the short substitute dua is better than skipping it altogether.
  • Treating it as obligatory (fard) — understanding its actual ruling (wajib in Hanafi, sunnah elsewhere) helps avoid unnecessary guilt.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Dua e Qunoot? Dua e Qunoot is a supplication recited standing during Witr prayer (and in some traditions, during Fajr) asking Allah for guidance, protection, forgiveness, and blessing. It was taught by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, most famously to his grandson Al-Hasan ibn Ali (RA), and is preserved in hadith literature rather than the Quran. See the full explanation above under “What Is Dua e Qunoot?”
What is the meaning of Dua e Qunoot? In essence, the dua asks Allah for guidance, well-being, protection from evil, and blessing in what has been given — while affirming that Allah alone decides and controls all outcomes. A full word-by-word meaning is provided in the table above.
Is Dua e Qunoot mentioned in the Quran? No. Dua e Qunoot is not a verse from the Quran. It is a supplication taught through the Prophet’s ﷺ practice and preserved in Hadith literature.
Which Dua e Qunoot is the real/correct one? Both versions covered in this guide are authentically transmitted and accepted by scholars. There is no single “only correct” version — you may recite either.
How many versions of Dua e Qunoot are there? Two versions are most commonly recited across Pakistan and the wider Muslim world — the shorter “Allahumma ihdini” version and the longer “Allahumma inna nasta’inuka” version, both covered in full above. A few additional narrations (through Ibn Abbas and Ubayy ibn Ka’b) also exist and are accepted by scholars, though less commonly recited.
When is Dua e Qunoot recited? / When do we recite Dua e Qunoot? It is recited standing in the third rak’ah of Witr prayer (mainly in the Hanafi tradition, every night), or in Fajr prayer during hardship in other schools. See the full school-of-thought comparison table above for exact timing by madhhab.
When to pray / read / recite Dua e Qunoot in Witr? In the Hanafi method, it is recited after completing the Qur’an recitation in the third (final) rak’ah of Witr, and before going into ruku. See the step-by-step method above.
Is Dua e Qunoot compulsory in Witr? / Is it necessary to recite in namaz? In the Hanafi school, reciting it in Witr is considered wajib (necessary). In the Shafi’i, Maliki, and Hanbali schools, it is generally a recommended (sunnah) practice rather than obligatory. See the dedicated “Is Dua e Qunoot Compulsory” section above for the full ruling by school.
What happens if I forget or miss Dua e Qunoot in Witr? In Hanafi fiqh, if you remember before completing ruku, stand back up and recite it. If you only remember after the prayer, performing Sajdah Sahw is generally recommended.
What is the alternative of Dua e Qunoot? / What can you read instead of Dua e Qunoot? / What to say instead? If you haven’t memorized it, the recommended substitute is “Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanatan wa fil-akhirati hasanatan wa qina ‘adhaban-nar” — see the full Arabic text, transliteration, and translation in the “Agar Dua e Qunoot Yaad Na Ho” section above.
Can I read 4 Quls or a single ayat instead of Dua e Qunoot? Scholars generally advise against substituting Quranic surahs (such as the four Quls) or a single ayat for Dua e Qunoot. The recommended substitute if you don’t know the dua is “Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanah,” not a Quranic passage — see above.
Can we make dua after Dua e Qunoot in Witr (Hanafi)? Yes, after completing Dua e Qunoot you may add personal supplications in your own words before proceeding to ruku, though this is not required. Consult a qualified scholar (such as via IslamQA) for detailed rulings specific to your situation.
How to learn Dua e Qunoot easily? Break the dua into 5–6 short phrases, learn the meaning of each, listen to and repeat an audio recitation, and write it down by hand. See the full memorization method above.
Is Dua e Qunoot recited in all rak’ahs of Isha, or all rak’ahs of Witr? No. It is recited only once, standing in the final (third) rak’ah of Witr — not in every rak’ah of Isha or Witr.
Can I recite Dua e Qunoot in every prayer? No. It is specific to Witr prayer (mainly Hanafi tradition) or to Fajr prayer during hardship (other traditions). It is not part of the five daily obligatory prayers as a general practice.
Do women recite Dua e Qunoot the same way as men? Yes, the wording and method are the same. Differences relate only to general prayer posture, following the same guidance applicable to women’s prayer overall.
Is Dua e Qunoot recited silently or aloud? In individual prayer, either is acceptable, though many recite it silently or in a low voice. In congregational Witr, particularly in Ramadan, the imam typically recites it aloud.
What is Qunoot-e-Nazilah? A special version of Qunoot recited during times of collective hardship or crisis facing the Muslim community, added to Fajr prayer. It is not the same as the regular Witr Qunoot — see the dedicated section above.
Can I recite Dua e Qunoot in Taraweeh instead of Witr? Dua e Qunoot is recited during the Witr prayer that follows Taraweeh in Ramadan, not during the Taraweeh rak’ahs themselves.
How long does it take to memorize Dua e Qunoot? Most people memorize the short version within a few days using chunking and audio repetition — see the memorization section above.
Can I recite Surah Ikhlas instead of Dua e Qunoot? Scholars generally advise against substituting Surah Ikhlas for Dua e Qunoot. If you don’t know the dua, the recommended substitute is “Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanah,” covered above — not a Quranic surah.
Which Dua e Qunoot should I read in Witr namaz? Either of the two authentic versions covered in this guide is acceptable to recite in Witr namaz. Follow the version taught in your local mosque or by your teacher for consistency, though switching between them is not considered a mistake.

References

  • Sunan Abu Dawud 1425 — Al-Hasan ibn Ali (RA) narration of Dua e Qunoot for Witr
  • Jami’ at-Tirmidhi 464 — parallel narration, graded sahih by At-Tirmidhi
  • Sunan an-Nasa’i 1746 — supporting narration with minor wording addition
  • Ibn Muflih, commentary on al-Muharrar 1/89 — on combining both versions (Hanbali view)
  • Classical fiqh positions of the Hanafi, Shafi’i, Maliki, and Hanbali schools on the timing and ruling of Qunoot

This guide draws on established positions from classical fiqh literature across the four Sunni schools, along with the hadith references cited above documenting the Prophet’s ﷺ practice of Qunoot and its transmission through Al-Hasan ibn Ali (RA).

Explore Dua e Qunoot by School of Thought and Language

Muslims across different schools of thought recite Dua e Qunoot with slight variations in text, timing, and method:

Due e Qunoot PDF

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