Dua E Qunoot In English | The Most Powerful Dua Of Witr Prayer

Dua e Qunoot is a special supplication recited standing during the Witr prayer, usually in the third rak’ah after ruku (or before it, according to some schools). It asks Allah for guidance, protection, forgiveness, and blessing. It is most commonly recited in the Hanafi school in every Witr prayer, while other schools recite it mainly in Fajr prayer during times of hardship or occasionally in Witr during the last ten nights of Ramadan.

Dua e Qunoot: Complete Guide (Arabic, Meaning, and How to Recite It)

Key Takeaways

Dua e Qunoot is a supplication (dua) recited during Witr prayer, and in some traditions during Fajr.
Its wording is not fixed by one single hadith; several authentic versions exist, and scholars allow multiple wordings.
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.
Reciting it correctly does not require memorizing complicated Arabic — a short, authentic version is enough for most worshippers.
This guide covers the full picture; detailed breakdowns of the Arabic text, meaning, and juristic differences are available on their own dedicated pages.

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” itself carries the meaning of devotion, humility, and standing obediently before Allah in prayer.

It is not a Qur’anic verse. It is a dua taught and practiced by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and passed down through his companions, later compiled and taught by early scholars of Hadith and fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence).

Because it is a supplication rather than a fixed Qur’anic recitation, its precise wording differs slightly between narrations and schools of thought — a point addressed further below.

Dua e Qunoot in Arabic, English, Urdu and Hindi (Full Text with Translation)

Dua e Qunoot Arabic Text

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

Dua e Qunoot in Roman English (Transliteration)

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.

Dua e Qunoot English Translation (Meaning)

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.

Dua e Qunoot Urdu Translation

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۔

Dua e Qunoot Hindi mein (हिंदी अनुवाद)

ऐ अल्लाह! मुझे उन लोगों में शामिल करके हिदायत दे जिन्हें तूने हिदायत दी, और मुझे उन लोगों में शामिल करके आफ़ियत (सलामती) दे जिन्हें तूने आफ़ियत दी, और मुझे अपनी हिफ़ाज़त में ले उन लोगों में शामिल करके जिन्हें तूने अपनी हिफ़ाज़त में लिया, और मुझे उसमें बरकत दे जो तूने मुझे अता किया, और मुझे उसके शर (बुराई) से बचा जो तूने मुक़द्दर किया, बेशक तू ही फ़ैसला करता है और तेरे ख़िलाफ़ कोई फ़ैसला नहीं कर सकता, बेशक वह ज़लील नहीं होता जिससे तू दोस्ती रखे, और वह इज़्ज़त नहीं पाता जिससे तू दुश्मनी रखे, ऐ हमारे रब! तू बाबरकत और बुलंद है।

When Is Dua e Qunoot Recited?

The timing of Dua e Qunoot depends on the school of Islamic law (madhhab) a person follows:

School of Thought	When Recited	Frequency
Hanafi	Witr prayer, third rak’ah, after Qur’an recitation and before ruku	Every Witr prayer, year-round
Shafi’i	Fajr prayer, after ruku in the second rak’ah	Every Fajr prayer (as a recommended practice), and also in Witr during the last half of Ramadan
Maliki	Fajr prayer, before ruku	Every Fajr prayer, according to most Maliki scholars
Hanbali	Fajr or any prayer, only during calamity (Qunoot-e-Nazilah)	Occasional, not a regular practice

These are general positions, and there is room for scholarly nuance within each school. If you want the full comparison with evidences, our dedicated page on Hanafi vs Shafi’i Dua e Qunoot practice covers this in depth.

The Arabic Text

The most commonly recited version of Dua e Qunoot begins with the words “Allahumma inna nasta’eenuka wa nastaghfiruka…” and continues with phrases seeking Allah’s help, forgiveness, guidance, and protection from His displeasure.

There is more than one authentic wording used across the Muslim world, and reciters often combine elements of different narrations. For the complete Arabic script, correct pronunciation guide, and word-by-word transliteration, visit our full Dua e Qunoot Arabic Text and Transliteration page.

Meaning of Dua e Qunoot

In essence, the dua expresses:

Seeking Allah’s help and forgiveness
Believing in Allah and turning away from disbelief
Declaring loyalty and obedience to Allah alone
Asking for protection from His punishment and the punishment of the Hereafter
Acknowledging that hard work and sincere worship come from Allah’s enabling grace

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

This section follows the widely practiced Hanafi method, since it is asked about most often. If you follow a different school, refer to the comparison page linked above for the adjusted steps.

Complete the third rak’ah’s Qur’an recitation as usual, after Surah Al-Fatiha and an additional surah.
Say “Allahu Akbar” and raise your hands to your ears, just as you do for the opening takbir.
Fold your hands below the navel (or on the chest, depending on your school’s general practice for standing).
Recite Dua e Qunoot in Arabic. If you have not memorized it, reciting it in your own language is permitted by many scholars until you learn the Arabic, though reciting in Arabic remains preferable.
Proceed to ruku as normal, saying “Allahu Akbar,” and complete the rest of the prayer as usual.

Benefits of Reciting Dua e Qunoot

Scholars and worshippers commonly highlight these benefits:

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 one dua

A full breakdown of these benefits, with supporting narrations, is available on our Benefits of Dua e Qunoot page.

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 it after ruku when your school specifies before ruku, or vice versa.
Assuming there is only one “correct” wording — multiple authentic versions exist; using a different authentic version is not a mistake.
Skipping it out of shyness for not knowing Arabic — reciting a short known dua is better than skipping it altogether.
Treating it as obligatory (fard) when it is a recommended practice in most schools — understanding its actual ruling (sunnah or wajib, depending on the madhhab) helps avoid unnecessary guilt or confusion.

Frequently Asked Questions

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, later incorporated into the Witr and Fajr prayers by early scholars.

Is Dua e Qunoot Wajib (obligatory) or Sunnah?

This depends on the school of thought. In the Hanafi school, reciting it in Witr is considered wajib (necessary). In the Shafi’i, Maliki, and Hanbali schools, it is generally treated as a recommended (sunnah) practice rather than obligatory.

What happens if I forget to recite Dua e Qunoot in Witr?

According to Hanafi fiqh, if you forget it and remember before completing ruku, you should stand back up and recite it. If you only remember after the prayer is finished, performing Sajdah Sahw (the forgetfulness prostration) is generally recommended.

Can I recite Dua e Qunoot in every prayer?

No. It is specific to Witr prayer (mainly in the Hanafi tradition) or to Fajr prayer during hardship (in other traditions). It is not part of the five daily obligatory prayers as a general practice.

Is there more than one version of Dua e Qunoot?

Yes. Several authentic wordings have been reported, and different regions and scholars may favor slightly different versions. Using any authentically transmitted version is acceptable.

Do women recite Dua e Qunoot the same way as men?

Yes, the wording and method are the same. The only differences relate to general prayer posture, which follows the same juristic guidance applicable to women’s prayer overall.

Is Dua e Qunoot recited silently or aloud?

In individual (non-congregational) prayer, it can be recited either way, though many recite it silently or in a low voice. In congregational Witr prayer, particularly in Ramadan, the imam typically recites it aloud and the congregation repeats it silently or says “Ameen” after certain phrases.

What is Qunoot-e-Nazilah?

Qunoot-e-Nazilah is a special version of Qunoot recited during times of collective hardship, calamity, or crisis facing the Muslim community. It is added to the Fajr prayer (or sometimes other prayers) and is not the same as the regular Witr Qunoot.

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, common version within a few days of regular practice, especially when paired with an audio recitation and a word-by-word transliteration.

References

This guide draws on established positions from classical fiqh literature across the Hanafi, Shafi’i, Maliki, and Hanbali schools, along with hadith collections that document the Prophet’s ﷺ practice of Qunoot. For readers who want to explore the primary evidences and scholarly discussions in detail, our supporting pages include direct references and citations.

Explore Dua e Qunoot by School of Thought & Language

Muslims across different schools of thought recite Dua e Qunoot with slight variations in text, timing, and method. If you follow the Shafi’i madhab, our dedicated guide on Dua e Qunoot Shafi’i explains how this supplication is performed in the Fajr prayer every morning — a unique practice that sets the Shafi’i tradition apart. Those who adhere to the Ahle Hadees (Salafi) tradition will find the authentic Sunnah method and Arabic text explained in full on our Dua e Qunoot Ahle Hadees page. For those specifically looking for the shorter yet deeply profound version taught by the Prophet ﷺ to his grandson, our complete breakdown of Allahumma Hdini Fiman Hadayt covers the Arabic text, Roman English transliteration, Urdu translation, and step-by-step recitation guide.