Dua Qunoot: Arabic, Transliteration, Meaning and When to Recite

The clearest transmitted Dua Qunoot for Witr begins “Allahumma ihdini fiman hadayt.” Al-Hasan ibn Ali reported that the Prophet ﷺ taught him these words to say during Witr.

Dua Qunoot for Witr

Arabic

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، تَبَارَكْتَ رَبَّنَا وَتَعَالَيْتَ.

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. Tabarakta Rabbana wa ta‘alayt.

English 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 what You have given me, and protect me from the evil of what You have decreed. You decree, and no decree is made over You. Whoever You befriend is never disgraced. Blessed and Exalted are You, our Lord.

Source and authenticity

Al-Hasan ibn Ali narrated this wording in Jami‘ at-Tirmidhi 464. Imam al-Tirmidhi described the report as hasan, and the narration is one of the best-known transmitted wordings for Qunoot in Witr.

When to Recite Dua Qunoot

Qunoot is a supplication made while standing in prayer. Muslims commonly encounter it in three settings: Witr, Fajr, and prayers made during a widespread calamity.

Qunoot in Witr

The hadith of al-Hasan ibn Ali directly connects the wording above with Witr. What differs is when the Qunoot is performed and whether it is practiced throughout the year.

These positions are summarized in the scholarly discussions published by Egypt’s Dar al-Ifta and SeekersGuidance.

If you pray behind an imam, follow the imam’s movements. If you pray alone, follow the method of the school you normally practice or ask a qualified local scholar.

Qunoot in Fajr

Regular Qunoot in Fajr is an accepted difference among jurists:

• The Shafi‘i school treats it as a Sunnah after rising from bowing in the second rakah.
• The Maliki school also recognizes Qunoot in Fajr, with details concerning its placement.
• The Hanafi and Hanbali schools generally do not prescribe a regular Fajr Qunoot outside exceptional circumstances.

This is a legal difference with a long scholarly history. It should not become a reason for arguing in the mosque.

Qunoot during a calamity

Qunoot al-Nazilah is a communal supplication made when Muslims face a serious calamity. Its occasion and wording are different from treating the Witr formula as a universal prayer for every situation. The imam normally leads this supplication, and the congregation says Amin where appropriate.

What the Dua Qunoot Means

The dua moves through five connected requests:

1. Guidance: You ask Allah to keep you among those who are rightly guided.
2. Well-being: You ask for protection in faith, body, and life.
3. Divine care: You ask Allah to take charge of your affairs.
4. Blessing: You ask for barakah in what you have already received.
5. Protection: You seek refuge from the harmful consequences you cannot foresee.

The closing words restore perspective: Allah decides with complete wisdom, while no created being can overrule Him. His care is therefore a greater source of security than circumstances appearing easy.

How to Learn Dua Qunoot

Break the dua into short phrases rather than trying to memorize the entire passage at once:

• Allahumma ihdini fiman hadayt
• Wa ‘afini fiman ‘afayt
• Wa tawallani fiman tawallayt
• Wa barik li fima a‘tayt
• Wa qini sharra ma qadayt

Learn one line, understand its meaning, and add the next line when you can recite the first without looking. Listening can help pronunciation, but the goal is to learn the words—not merely play a recording while the prayer continues.

If you have not memorized the full wording, do not invent claims about your prayer being invalid. The ruling and suitable substitute differ by school, so follow your imam or ask a qualified scholar familiar with your practice.

Common Mistakes

Treating one placement as the only valid method

Some Muslims learned Qunoot before bowing; others learned it after bowing. Both reflect established juristic traditions.

Calling every Qunoot the same prayer

Witr Qunoot, regular Fajr Qunoot, and Qunoot during a calamity are related but not interchangeable contexts.

Adding unsupported promises

The transmitted dua asks for guidance, well-being, care, blessing, and protection. Avoid attaching invented rewards or calling it the “most powerful” dua without evidence.

Reciting without understanding

Correct pronunciation matters, but meaning changes the quality of the supplication. Learn what you are asking Allah for as you memorize each line.

Related Prayer Guides

• Learn the full prayer in How to Pray Witr.
• Review the morning prayer in How to Pray Fajr.
• Read the Dua for Guidance for supplication outside salah.
• Use the Dua for Difficult Times for personal hardship.

Do you feel your duas are unanswered?

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