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?
Linguistically, Qunoot (قنوت) carries meanings like silence in prayer, humble standing, obedience without sin, and prolonged standing.
Ibn Manzur wrote that Qunoot includes silence, du'a in prayer, humility, accepting servitude, obedience, and long-standing.
He also mentioned the verse "Stand before Allah in obedience", and Zayd ibn Arqam explained it as remaining silent in prayer after speech was prohibited. [Lisan al-'Arab, Ibn Manzur, vol. 2, p. 73]
In the Shari'ah, Qunoot refers to a du'a made while standing in the prayer. Ibn Qudamah described it as "du'a within the prayer". [Al-Mughni, Ibn Qudamah, vol. 2, p. 114]
Qunoot is a quiet moment when the servant turns the heart to the One who hears every whisper. It softens the prayer and makes it a calm and sincere 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.
When can this Qunoot be recited?
- Every night in Witr, whether prayed alone or in congregation.
- In Ramadan, following the practice of many Companions.
- It may be recited before or after ruku', both are allowed.
Imam Ahmad, Al-Shafi'i, and many others considered Qunoot in Witr a Sunnah mu'akkadah in Ramadan and permissible at all times. Ibn Taymiyyah wrote that Qunoot in Witr is "established from the Prophet ﷺ and the Companions." [Majmu' al-Fatawa 23/111]
In Times of Calamity
When the Ummah faced severe trials, the Prophet ﷺ made Qunoot in the congregational prayers. It is known as Qunoot an-Nazilah (قُنُوتُ النَّازِلَة) - the Qunoot offered during a calamity.
- 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]
When can this Qunoot be recited?
- During war or oppression
- When Muslims are besieged or wronged
- In disasters, epidemics, or widespread harm
Ibn Taymiyyah said that Qunoot an-Nazilah is prescribed "when Muslims face harm, oppression, or fear." [Majmu' al-Fatawa 23/108]
Ibn Qudamah mentioned that the Prophet ﷺ and the Companions made Qunoot in hardship and stopped once the trial ended. [Al-Mughni 2/114]
Imam an-Nawawi stated that when a calamity strikes, Qunoot may be recited in all obligatory prayers. [Sharh Sahih Muslim 5/176]
Qunoot an-Nazilah is a reminder of our unity as one body; we turn to Allah together, asking for His mercy, His help, and His justice.
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.”
This narration is reported by:
- Abu Dawud (1425, 1426) – authenticated by Al-Albani (Sahih Sunan Abi Dawud 1263)
- At-Tirmidhi (467) – authenticated by Al-Albani (Sahih Sunan at-Tirmidhi 411)
- An-Nasa'i (1745, 1746) – authenticated (Sahih Sunan an-Nasa'i 1647)
- Ahmad (1/199)
- Ad-Darimi
- Declared authentic by Shaykh Ahmad Shakir in his notes on Sunan at-Tirmidhi
Scholars mention that this du'a gathers the most important needs of the servant: guidance, wellbeing, barakah, and protection.
Can other du'a be added?
Yes. Imam an-Nawawi said:
"There is no specific du'a required for Qunoot according to the stronger opinion. Any du'a will count as Qunoot, even Qur'anic supplications, though it is better to recite what is narrated." [Al-Adhkar, p. 50]
A person may add their own needs, ask for forgiveness, or pray for the Ummah.
- For the Prophet ﷺ said:
الدُّعَاءُ مُخُّ الْعِبَادَةِ
“Supplication is the essence of worship.” [Jamiʿ al-Tirmidhi 3371]
Qunoot is a moment when the heart softens. You stand with your hands raised and let your voice carry your need to the One who never turns away sincere callers.
4. Saying "Ameen" and Following the Imam in Qunoot
Qunoot is a moment of turning to Allah with hope. The follower joins the Imam with Ameen when the Imam is making du'a. This was the practice of the Companions when the Prophet ﷺ recited Qunoot aloud.
When to Say Ameen?
You say Ameen when the Imam is asking Allah. Phrases like:
"Allahumma, Rabbana, ighfir lana, irhamna, insur al-Muslimin, ishfi mardana, farrij karb al-makrubin"
These are clear requests, so the follower responds with Ameen.
Ibn 'Uthaymeen (may Allah have mercy on him) explained that Qunoot in times of calamity is recited aloud and the people say Ameen behind the imam, even in a prayer that is usually silent. [Al-Sharh al-Mumti', 4/47]
Raising the hands is allowed in Witr and in Qunoot an-Nazilah.
When to Stay Silent?
You stay silent when the Imam is praising Allah, because praise is not du'a. Phrases like:
"Tabarakta Rabbana wa ta'alayt, Subhanaka Allahumma, laka al-hamd, anta ahl al-thana' wa al-majd"
These are dhikr, not requests, so Ameen is not used here.
Raising the hands is not done in a regular Fajr Qunoot, since the Companions only made Qunoot in Fajr during calamities.
The Qunoot taught to Al-Hasan ibn 'Ali (may Allah be pleased with them both) is brief and complete. Adding long melodic lines burdens the people. Short personal du'a may be added, but without exaggeration.
Ameen in its right place brings calm, sincerity and closeness to Allah.
5. 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 practised by the Companions. Some reports show it may also be recited before rukuʿ, both being permissible.
The key is the presence of heart. In those moments, imagine yourself standing before the King, presenting your needs one by one.
6. 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.
7. The Essence and Power of Qunoot
Du'a Qunoot is a moment when the heart stands still. You face Allah in the quiet of the night, asking for what you cannot give yourself. Each line of the du'a carries a truth that lifts the believer.
- "Guide me among those You have guided." Guidance is more than knowing the right path. It is knowing the truth, loving it, and staying firm on it. This plea brings knowledge, action, and stability together.
- "Heal me among those You have healed." Healing is for the body and the heart. We ask Allah to remove sickness, but also the sins, doubts, and temptations that weaken the soul.
- "Care for me among those You have cared for." This is Allah's special support. When He cares for a servant, He guides, protects, and steadies them through every test.
- "Bless me in what You have given." Barakah is quiet goodness. It turns little into enough, and enough into contentment. Without it, wealth feels hollow and knowledge becomes a burden.
- "Protect me from the evil of what You have decreed." Allah never decrees without wisdom. Trials may hurt, but their purpose is good. Here we seek protection from the painful side of any decree, while trusting Allah's plan.
- "None is humiliated whom You befriend, and none is honoured whom You oppose." True honour is not in money or status. It is in Allah's friendship. With His support, no one can break you. Without it, nothing can raise you.
- "Blessed are You, our Lord, and exalted." A reminder that all strength, comfort, and hope return to Him.
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.
8. 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 the knowledge of Islam brings you closer to Allah.
