Dua Qunoot: Arabic, Transliteration, Meaning and When to Recite It
Dua Qunoot is a supplication recited while standing in prayer, most commonly in Witr. The version taught by the Prophet to his grandson al-Hasan ibn Ali begins "Allahumma-hdini fiman hadayt" (O Allah, guide me among those You have guided). The schools of thought differ on exactly when Qunoot is recited, so follow your own madhab or imam.
Key Takeaways
- Qunoot is a supplication made while standing in prayer, most commonly in the Witr prayer.
- The Prophet taught al-Hasan ibn Ali a Qunoot dua for Witr, recorded in Sunan Abi Dawud 1425 and graded Sahih by Al-Albani.
- It asks for guidance, well-being, Allah's care, blessing, and protection from the harm of what is decreed.
- The schools differ on whether Qunoot is said in Witr, in Fajr, or both, and on whether it comes before or after bowing.
- Many following the Hanafi school use a different dua beginning "Allahumma inna nasta'inuka", so ask your imam which wording your mosque teaches.
The Dua Taught to al-Hasan ibn Ali
| Part | Dua |
|---|---|
| Arabic | اللَّهُمَّ اهْدِنِي فِيمَنْ هَدَيْتَ وَعَافِنِي فِيمَنْ عَافَيْتَ وَتَوَلَّنِي فِيمَنْ تَوَلَّيْتَ وَبَارِكْ لِي فِيمَا أَعْطَيْتَ وَقِنِي شَرَّ مَا قَضَيْتَ إِنَّكَ تَقْضِي وَلاَ يُقْضَى عَلَيْكَ وَإِنَّهُ لاَ يَذِلُّ مَنْ وَالَيْتَ وَلاَ يَعِزُّ مَنْ عَادَيْتَ تَبَارَكْتَ رَبَّنَا وَتَعَالَيْتَ |
| Transliteration | Allahumma-hdini fiman hadayt, wa 'afini fiman 'afayt, wa tawallani fiman tawallayt, wa barik li fima a'tayt, wa qini sharra ma qadayt, innaka taqdi wa la yuqda 'alayk, wa innahu la yadhillu man walayt, wa la ya'izzu man 'adayt, tabarakta rabbana wa ta'alayt |
| 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 me in what You have given, and protect me from the evil of what You have decreed. For You decree, and nothing is decreed against You. The one You befriend is never humbled, and the one You take as an enemy is never honoured. Blessed are You, our Lord, and Exalted. |
| Source | Al-Hasan ibn Ali said the Prophet taught him these words to say in Witr (Sunan Abi Dawud 1425, graded Sahih by Al-Albani) |
The Arabic above is taken from the narration as shown on sunnah.com, and the English is a close rendering of each line. Transliteration only approximates the sounds, so learn the pronunciation from a teacher.
What the Dua Asks For
- Guidance, to be counted among those Allah has guided.
- Well-being, in body, faith and circumstances.
- Allah's care and protection, as a close friend and guardian.
- Blessing in everything He has given.
- Protection from the harm of what has been decreed, with trust that His decree is supreme.
When Is Qunoot Recited?
This is an area where the schools of thought differ. They vary on whether Qunoot is recited in Witr, in the Fajr prayer, or both, whether it comes before or after bowing (ruku'), and whether it is said throughout the year or at particular times. Many following the Hanafi school, for example, recite a different supplication beginning "Allahumma inna nasta'inuka" (O Allah, we seek Your help) in Witr. None of these practices is a mistake within its own school, so follow the practice of your madhab, and ask your local imam if you're unsure.
Tips for Learning It
- Learn the meaning first, line by line, so the words feel like a real request.
- Memorise two phrases a day, since each line follows the same "among those You have..." pattern.
- Recite it slowly in Witr, even reading from a card for the first few nights.
- Have your pronunciation checked, since several letters are easy to mispronounce.
Learning the meaning of what you recite in prayer makes a real difference, as our guide to understanding the Quran word by word explains. For other authentic supplications, see our guide to duas for studying and exams.
Learn Your Prayer Duas Properly
Our Salah course teaches every part of the prayer, including Witr and Qunoot, one-to-one, and our Islamic Studies course covers the wider fiqh of worship. New Muslims can also start gently with our Quran for reverts lessons. You can book a free trial lesson with no card required, or call +44 7848 496686.
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