There are moments in prayer when the world fades away. You stand silently before your Lord, hands lifted, eyes moist, heart trembling… this is Qunoot.
It is not simply a set of words but a station of humility where the servant admits:
“O Allah, I cannot manage without You.”
Qunoot is the believer’s nightly whisper, a bridge between fear and hope, between weakness and Allah’s infinite mercy. It revives the sweetness of Du'a within the calm of prayer, reminding us that our strength lies in surrender.
1. What is Qunoot?
The word Qunoot (قنوت) in Arabic means continuous obedience, humility, and silence. In the Shari’ah, it refers to a supplication made while standing in prayer.
It is a moment of conscious submission of turning the heart toward the One who hears every whisper. Qunoot transforms a mechanical act of prayer into a living dialogue with the Lord of the Worlds.
2. When to Recite Qunoot?
In Witr
Qunoot is recited in the last rakʿah of Witr, the prayer that seals the night. The Prophet ﷺ taught his beloved grandson al-Hasan ibn ʿAli رضي الله عنهما a specific supplication for it, showing that this act is a Sunnah to be loved and maintained. See Jamiʿ al-Tirmidhi 464.
In Times of Calamity
When the Ummah faced severe trials, the Prophet ﷺ made Qunoot in the congregational prayers.
- Anas Ibn Malik رضي الله عنه narrated:
قَالَ قَنَتَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم شَهْرًا يَدْعُو عَلَى رِعْلٍ وَذَكْوَانَ
The Prophet ﷺ recited Qunut for one month asking Allah to punish the tribes of Ral and Dhakwan. [Sahih al-Bukhari 1003]
This shows that Qunoot can be performed in times of calamity, pleading for relief, justice, and mercy. However when the hardship ended, the Prophet ﷺ stopped praying it outside of Witr.
3. What to Recite in Qunoot
The most authentic wording is what the Prophet ﷺ taught to al-Hasan ibn ʿAli رضي الله عنهما:
اللَّهُمَّ اهْدِنِي فِيمَنْ هَدَيْتَ
وَعَافِنِي فِيمَنْ عَافَيْتَ
وَتَوَلَّنِي فِيمَنْ تَوَلَّيْتَ
وَبَارِكْ لِي فِيمَا أَعْطَيْتَ
وَقِنِي شَرَّ مَا قَضَيْتَ
فَإِنَّكَ تَقْضِي وَلاَ يُقْضَى عَلَيْكَ
وَإِنَّهُ لاَ يَذِلُّ مَنْ وَالَيْتَ
تَبَارَكْتَ رَبَّنَا وَتَعَالَيْتَ
“O Allah guide me among those You have guided, pardon me among those You have pardoned, befriend me among those You have befriended, bless me in what You have granted, and save me from the evil that You decreed. Indeed You decree, and none can pass decree, and none can pass decree upon You, indeed he is not humiliated whom You have befriended, blessed are You our Lord and Exalted.” [Jamiʿ al-Tirmidhi 464]
Transliteration:
“Allahummahdini fiman hadait,
Wa a'fini fiman afait,
Wa tawallani fiman tawallait,
Wa barik Li fima atait,
Wa qini sharra ma qadait,
Fa Innaka taqdi wa la yuqda Alaik,
Wa innahu la yadhillu man walait,
Tabarakta Rabbana wa ta'alait.”
One may also add personal supplications during Qunoot.
- Imam an-Nawawi said:
“Note that there is no specific du’a for Qunoot according to the preferred point of view. Any du’a that is said will serve as Qunoot, even if one recites a verse or verses from the Quran that include words of supplication, this will count as Qunoot, but it is better to recite the words that were narrated in the Sunnah.” [Al-Adhkar al-Nawawiyyah page 50]
- Ask for forgiveness, mercy, or anything your heart longs for, for the Prophet ﷺ said:
الدُّعَاءُ مُخُّ الْعِبَادَةِ
“Supplication is the essence of worship.” [Jamiʿ al-Tirmidhi 3371]
4. Qunoot Du'a in Witr
- The Prophet ﷺ said:
اجْعَلُوا آخِرَ صَلَاتِكُمْ بِاللَّيْلِ وِتْرًا
“Make Witr your last prayer at night.” [Sahih al-Bukhari 998]
Qunoot in Witr is usually recited after rising from rukuʿ in the final rakʿah, as practiced by the Companions. Some reports show it may also be recited before rukuʿ, both being permissible.
The key is presence of heart. In those moments, imagine yourself standing before the King, presenting your needs one by one.
5. Can We Pray Witr Without Qunoot?
Yes. The Prophet ﷺ sometimes recited Qunoot and sometimes did not. This shows that it is Sunnah, not an obligation.
ʿUmar ibn al-Khattab and Ubayy ibn Kaʿb رضي الله عنهما were known to recite it occasionally while leading the companions in Ramadan.
6. The Essence and Power of Qunoot
Du’a Qunoot is the summit of humility. It teaches you to stand long before Allah when the world tells you to sleep. It is the believer’s confession that every victory, cure, and comfort can undoubtedly begin with a Du'a whispered in the night.
Each phrase carries a spiritual truth:
- “Guide me among those You have guided.” Guidance is the first blessing, for without it, all others are lost.
- “Protect me from the evil of what You have decreed.” Submission is peace, for you trust that whatever Allah decrees is good.
- “None is humiliated whom You befriend.” True honour lies in Allah’s friendship, not in fame or wealth.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
إِنَّ رَبَّكُمْ تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى حَيِيٌّ كَرِيمٌ يَسْتَحْيِي مِنْ عَبْدِهِ إِذَا رَفَعَ يَدَيْهِ إِلَيْهِ أَنْ يَرُدَّهُمَا صِفْرًا
“Your Lord is shy and generous. He is shy that His servant raises his hands to Him and He returns them empty.” [Sunan Abi Dawud 1488]
So stand in your Qunoot, raise your hands, and ask again and again. Knowing the generosity of your lord.
7. Etiquette of Qunoot
- Raise your hands while making Du'a.
- Face the Qiblah and focus with humility.
- Repeat your Du'a three times if possible, as the Prophet ﷺ would repeat supplications thrice.
- Begin and end with Salah upon the Prophet ﷺ.
These etiquettes that are for Du’a in general, beautify your Qunoot and bring your Du'a closer to acceptance.
A Closing Reflection
Qunoot is not only a part of prayer; it is a mirror of the soul. It reveals how deeply we depend on Allah, how sincerely we love Him, and how hopeful we remain in His mercy.
قُلْ إِنَّ صَلَاتِى وَنُسُكِى وَمَحْيَاىَ وَمَمَاتِى لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ
“Say, 'Surely my prayer, my sacrifice, my life, and my death are all for Allah, Lord of all worlds.'” [Surah al-Anʿam 6:162]
So when night falls and others sleep, rise for Witr. Lift your hands and whisper the words the Prophet ﷺ taught.
Ask, cry, hope, and surrender. For whoever stands in Qunoot with a heart full of faith leaves the prayer lighter, calmer, and closer to Allah.
And remember, the journey of worship never ends. At AMAU, we’re walking that same path with you: learning the Qur’an, understanding the Sunnah, and striving to live by what we learn.
If this reminder brought peace to your heart, don’t stop here. Take a step further.
Start learning more. Start growing. Let your knowledge become light, and your worship grow deeper with every step.
Join us at AMAU Academy, where knowledge of Islam brings you closer to Allah.
