Dua e Qunoot: Complete Arabic Text, Transliteration, Urdu Translation & Meaning

The prayer of Witr holds an esteemed, vital status in Islamic worship. Described by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ as a prayer loved by Allah—"Indeed, Allah is Witr (One) and loves the Witr, so observe Witr, O people of the Quran" (Sunan Abi Dawud, Hadith 1416)—it concludes the night prayers with monotheistic closure. The spiritual crown of the Witr prayer is Dua e Qunoot (the supplication of humble obedience and standing). Recited in the final rak'ah before or after Ruku', it encapsulates an intimate covenant of praise, repentance, divine reliance, and total submission to the Almighty.

The Authentic Arabic Text of Dua e Qunoot

The companion Al-Hasan ibn Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: "The Messenger of Allah ﷺ taught me words to say in the Witr prayer" (Sunan Abi Dawud, Hadith 1425; Jami` at-Tirmidhi, Hadith 464 - graded Sahih):

English Transliteration

"Allahummahdini feeman hadayt, wa 'afini feeman 'afayt, wa tawallani feeman tawallayt, wa barik li feema 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."

Complete Translation & Spiritual Reflections

"O Allah, guide me among those whom You have guided; grant me well-being among those whom You have granted well-being; take me into Your care among those whom You have taken into Your care; bless for me whatever You have given; and protect me from the evil of what You have decreed. For surely You decree and none can decree over You. Indeed, he whom You hold as an ally is never humiliated, and he whom You hold as an adversary is never exalted. Blessed are You, our Lord, and Exalted."

This supplication addresses the core human needs in six petitions: divine guidance prevents intellectual confusion; well-being (Afiyah) protects physical and mental health; divine guardianship ensures eternal security; divine blessing (Barkat) multiplies finite provisions; and protection from painful decree saves the soul from unbearable calamity.

The Hanafi Formulation: Allahumma Inna Nasta'eenuka

In the Hanafi school of jurisprudence, which is widely practiced across Pakistan, India, and Turkey, the celebrated Qunoot transmitted by Abdullah ibn Mas'ud and the early companions is predominantly recited:

"Allahumma inna nasta'eenuka wa nastaghfiruka, wa nu'minu bika wa natawakkalu 'alayk, wa nuthni 'alaykal-khayr, wa nashkuruka wa la nakfuruk, wa nakhla'u wa natruku man yafjuruk. Allahumma iyyaka na'budu, wa laka nusalli wa nasjud, wa ilayka nas'a wa nahfid, narju rahmataka wa nakhsha 'adhabak, inna 'adhabaka bil-kuffari mulhaq."

"O Allah, we seek Your assistance and seek Your forgiveness, we believe in You and rely upon You, we praise You with all good, we thank You and are not ungrateful, and we disown and leave whoever disobeys You. O Allah, You alone we worship, to You we pray and prostrate, toward You we hasten and serve, we hope for Your mercy and fear Your punishment; indeed, Your punishment will overtake the disbelievers."

Practical Rules for Witr Recitation

In the third rak'ah of Witr after reciting Surah Al-Fatihah and an additional Surah, raise your hands to your ears while pronouncing "Allahu Akbar", fold your hands again, and recite Dua e Qunoot softly before bowing into Ruku'. If you have not yet memorized the full Arabic text, you may recite "Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanatan..." until you master the Masnoon Qunoot.

For spiritual consultation and guidance on establishing fulfilling daily prayer habits, the advisors at Markaz-e-Basirat provide supportive, Shariah-compliant counsel.