Dua e Qunoot: Arabic Text, Translation, and How to Recite in Witr
This is the dua recited in the third rakat of Witr salah, after Surah Fatihah and another surah, before going into ruku. In the Hanafi madhhab — which is followed by most Muslims in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan — Witr is wajib, and reciting Dua e Qunoot in it is also wajib. This page gives you the standard text taught in Indian madrasas, the correct method, and what to do if you have not yet memorized it.
The text of Dua e Qunoot
This is the version recited in the Hanafi madhhab, narrated from Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA) and used in the standard madrasa curriculum across the Indian subcontinent.
اَللّٰهُمَّ اِنَّا نَسْتَعِيْنُكَ وَنَسْتَغْفِرُكَ وَنُؤْمِنُ بِكَ وَنَتَوَكَّلُ عَلَيْكَ وَنُثْنِيْ عَلَيْكَ الْخَيْرَ وَنَشْكُرُكَ وَلَا نَكْفُرُكَ وَنَخْلَعُ وَنَتْرُكُ مَنْ يَّفْجُرُكَ
اَللّٰهُمَّ اِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَلَكَ نُصَلِّيْ وَنَسْجُدُ وَاِلَيْكَ نَسْعٰى وَنَحْفِدُ نَرْجُوْا رَحْمَتَكَ وَنَخْشٰى عَذَابَكَ اِنَّ عَذَابَكَ بِالْكُفَّارِ مُلْحِقٌ
Transliteration: Allahumma inna nasta’eenuka wa nastaghfiruka wa nu’minu bika wa natawakkalu ‘alaika wa nuthni ‘alaika al-khaira wa nashkuruka wa la nakfuruka wa nakhla’u wa natruku may-yafjuruka. Allahumma iyyaka na’budu wa laka nusalli wa nasjudu wa ilaika nas’aa wa nahfidu narju rahmataka wa nakhsha ‘adhabaka inna ‘adhabaka bil-kuffari mulhiq.
Translation: “O Allah, we seek Your help and Your forgiveness, and we believe in You and rely upon You, and we praise You with goodness, and we thank You and do not deny You, and we forsake and abandon those who disobey You. O Allah, You alone we worship, and to You we pray and prostrate, and to You we hasten and we serve. We hope for Your mercy and fear Your punishment. Indeed, Your punishment will reach the disbelievers.”
Word-by-word breakdown of key phrases
| Phrase | Arabic | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Allahumma | اَللّٰهُمَّ | “O Allah” — direct address to Allah |
| Inna nasta’eenuka | اِنَّا نَسْتَعِيْنُكَ | “We seek Your help” |
| Wa nastaghfiruka | وَنَسْتَغْفِرُكَ | “We seek Your forgiveness” |
| Wa natawakkalu ‘alaika | وَنَتَوَكَّلُ عَلَيْكَ | “We rely upon You” |
| Iyyaka na’budu | اِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ | “You alone we worship” (same phrase as in Surah Fatihah) |
| Narju rahmataka | نَرْجُوْا رَحْمَتَكَ | “We hope for Your mercy” |
| Wa nakhsha ‘adhabaka | وَنَخْشٰى عَذَابَكَ | “And we fear Your punishment” |
What does “Qunoot” mean?
Qunoot (قنوت) is an Arabic word that, in the language of the Qur’an, carries several connected meanings: standing in prayer, devout obedience, and humble supplication. In the technical fiqh sense, “Dua e Qunoot” refers specifically to the supplication recited while standing during certain prayers — most commonly Witr in the Hanafi madhhab, and Fajr in some other madhhabs.
The word appears in the Qur’an in this sense in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:238) and Surah Az-Zumar (39:9). It is not a name of a specific dua; it is a category of supplication offered in a posture of devotion.
How to pray Witr with Dua e Qunoot (Hanafi method)
Witr in the Hanafi madhhab is three rakats prayed continuously with one tashahhud at the end (similar in structure to Maghrib salah, but with Qunoot added in the third rakat). Here is the full method.
- Make niyyah (intention) for three rakat Witr wajib salah, then say the opening takbir and begin as you would any prayer.
- First rakat: Recite Surah Fatihah, then any surah of your choice. Go into ruku, then sujood, then stand for the second rakat.
- Second rakat: Recite Surah Fatihah, then any surah. Sit for the first tashahhud (recite “At-tahiyyat…”), then stand for the third rakat without saying “Allahumma salli ala…”
- Third rakat: Recite Surah Fatihah and another surah. Then, before going into ruku, raise both hands to the ears and say “Allahu Akbar” (this takbir is wajib in Hanafi practice).
- Lower the hands and fold them (right over left, below the navel for men, on the chest for women), then recite Dua e Qunoot.
- After completing Dua e Qunoot, say “Allahu Akbar” and go into ruku. Continue the rakat as normal — ruku, two sujood, then sit for the final tashahhud, durood, and any personal dua, then salam.
Important Hanafi point: Dua e Qunoot is recited before ruku in the third rakat, not after. This is one of the clearest distinctions between the Hanafi method and the Shafi’i method (Shafi’is recite it after ruku, in the standing position called i’tidal).
What if I have not memorized Dua e Qunoot yet?
This is the most practical question for new Muslims, reverts, children learning to pray, and adults who never had the chance to memorize it. The Hanafi position gives clear guidance.
If you cannot recite the full Dua e Qunoot, you can recite any of these as a substitute until you have memorized the full text:
- Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanah wa fil-akhirati hasanah wa qina ‘adhab an-nar (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:201). Recite three times.
- Allahummaghfir li (“O Allah, forgive me”). Recite three times.
- Ya Rabb, ya Rabb, ya Rabb (“O my Lord, O my Lord, O my Lord”).
Any one of these is acceptable as a substitute according to the Hanafi madhhab. The prayer is valid. Once you memorize the full Dua e Qunoot, switch to that — but do not delay your Witr or skip Qunoot waiting for “perfect” memorization.
If memorizing Arabic recitation is a challenge for you or a family member, our online Qur’an reading course covers basic Arabic recitation including the standard duas, with one-on-one teachers patient with adult learners.
What if I forget to recite Dua e Qunoot in Witr?
The Hanafi ruling is specific. Since Dua e Qunoot is wajib in Hanafi Witr (not fard), forgetting it has the following consequences:
- If you remember before going into ruku — recite it then, and continue the prayer normally. No sajda sahw needed.
- If you forget completely and remember after the prayer ends — your prayer is valid. You do not need to repeat it.
- If you forget and remember during the prayer (after going into ruku without reciting it) — do not return to recite it. Continue the prayer, and perform sajda sahw at the end (two extra sajdahs after the final tashahhud, before the final salam).
The same sajda sahw rule applies if you forget the takbir before Qunoot or any other wajib element of the prayer.
Can I read Dua e Qunoot in English or transliteration during salah?
The Hanafi position, and the position of all four madhabs, is that recitation in salah must be in Arabic. Reading translation or transliteration during the prayer does not fulfill the requirement.
This applies to Surah Fatihah, the surahs, and the duas including Qunoot. Outside the prayer — for understanding, study, or personal reflection — translation and transliteration are useful tools. Inside the prayer, the recitation is in Arabic.
If you cannot read Arabic script yet, use transliteration for memorization (as we have provided above), but work toward reading the Arabic itself. The pronunciation is more accurate from the Arabic letters than from any transliteration system.
Is Dua e Qunoot wajib or sunnah?
This depends on the madhhab. Brief summary so you understand where the Hanafi ruling fits:
| Madhhab | Witr ruling | Qunoot ruling | When recited |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hanafi | Wajib (necessary) | Wajib in Witr | 3rd rakat of Witr, before ruku |
| Shafi’i | Sunnah muakkadah | Sunnah in Fajr (and Witr in Ramadan) | Fajr 2nd rakat, after ruku |
| Maliki | Sunnah muakkadah | Sunnah in Fajr | Fajr, before ruku (or after) |
| Hanbali | Sunnah muakkadah | Sunnah in Witr | 3rd rakat of Witr, after ruku |
For Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, and Afghan Muslims (the overwhelming majority of whom follow the Hanafi madhhab), the practical rule is: recite Dua e Qunoot every night in Witr, before ruku, in the third rakat. It is wajib.
Dua e Qunoot vs Qunoot-e-Nazilah: a brief note
These are two different things and confusing them is one of the most common mistakes online.
- Dua e Qunoot (the subject of this page) — recited daily in Witr salah by Hanafis. The standard worship.
- Qunoot-e-Nazilah — a separate dua recited in Fajr (and sometimes other obligatory prayers) during times of major calamity affecting the Muslim ummah. Not daily. Only during specific crises, by direction of religious authorities or in response to genuine widespread hardship.
The wording is different, the timing is different, and the ruling is different. We will cover Qunoot-e-Nazilah in detail in a separate article. For now, what most people search for as “Dua e Qunoot” is the daily Witr supplication covered above.
Dua e Qunoot al-Hasan ibn Ali (RA) — the alternate version
Some Hanafi scholars permit reciting an additional, shorter Qunoot taught by the Prophet ﷺ to his grandson al-Hasan ibn Ali (RA), recorded in Sunan Abu Dawud (1425) and other collections. This is the version primarily used by Shafi’is in Fajr Qunoot, but it can be added by Hanafis after the standard Witr Qunoot if desired.
اَللّٰهُمَّ اهْدِنِيْ فِيْمَنْ هَدَيْتَ، وَعَافِنِيْ فِيْمَنْ عَافَيْتَ، وَتَوَلَّنِيْ فِيْمَنْ تَوَلَّيْتَ، وَبَارِكْ لِيْ فِيْمَا أَعْطَيْتَ، وَقِنِيْ شَرَّ مَا قَضَيْتَ، إِنَّكَ تَقْضِيْ وَلَا يُقْضٰى عَلَيْكَ، إِنَّهُ لَا يَذِلُّ مَنْ وَالَيْتَ، وَلَا يَعِزُّ مَنْ عَادَيْتَ، تَبَارَكْتَ رَبَّنَا وَتَعَالَيْتَ
Transliteration: Allahumma ihdini feeman hadait, wa ‘afini feeman ‘afait, wa tawallani feeman tawallait, wa barik li feema a’tait, wa qini sharra ma qadait, innaka taqdi wa la yuqda ‘alaik, innahu la yadhillu may-walait, wa la ya’izzu man ‘adait, tabarakta rabbana wa ta’alait.
Translation: “O Allah, guide me among those You have guided, grant me wellbeing among those You have granted wellbeing, take me as a friend among those You have befriended, bless me in what You have given, and protect me from the evil You have decreed. Indeed, You decree and none decrees against You. The one You befriend is not humiliated, and the one You oppose is not honored. Blessed are You, our Lord, and Exalted.”
Sunan Abu Dawud 1425, Sunan an-Nasa’i 1745
For Hanafi practice: stick to the primary “Allahumma inna nasta’eenuka…” text. Adding the al-Hasan version is permissible but not necessary, and adding both regularly may make the prayer disproportionately long. If you are still memorizing, focus on the primary version first.
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View coursesCommon mistakes in Dua e Qunoot
Three things to watch for, especially for those who have learned the dua informally from family members:
- Skipping the takbir before Qunoot. The takbir (raising hands and saying “Allahu Akbar” before reciting Qunoot) is itself wajib in Hanafi practice. Forgetting it requires sajda sahw.
- Reciting Qunoot after ruku in Witr. This is the Shafi’i method, not Hanafi. If you are praying in a Hanafi context, recite before ruku.
- Mixing Qunoot-e-Nazilah wording into the regular Witr Qunoot. They are different duas for different occasions. Keep them separate.
If you have been making one of these mistakes for years, your past prayers are not invalid — but correct the practice going forward.
Frequently asked questions
What is Dua e Qunoot?
Dua e Qunoot is the supplication recited in the third rakat of Witr salah in the Hanafi madhhab, before going into ruku. The standard text begins with “Allahumma inna nasta’eenuka…” and is narrated from Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA). It is wajib in Hanafi Witr.
When is Dua e Qunoot recited?
In the Hanafi madhhab, it is recited in the third rakat of Witr salah, after Surah Fatihah and another surah, before going into ruku. The takbir is said first (raising hands, “Allahu Akbar”), then the hands are folded and Dua e Qunoot is recited.
Is Dua e Qunoot wajib or sunnah?
In the Hanafi madhhab, Witr is wajib and Dua e Qunoot in it is also wajib. In the Shafi’i, Maliki, and Hanbali madhabs, Witr and Qunoot are sunnah muakkadah (strongly recommended Sunnah). The ruling depends on which madhhab you follow.
What if I have not memorized Dua e Qunoot?
You can recite “Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanah wa fil-akhirati hasanah wa qina ‘adhab an-nar” three times, or “Allahummaghfir li” three times, or “Ya Rabb” three times as a substitute. Your prayer is valid. Memorize the full text as soon as you can.
Can I recite Dua e Qunoot in English during salah?
No. All four madhabs require recitation in salah to be in Arabic. Use English translation outside the prayer for understanding, but recite the Arabic during the prayer itself. Transliteration helps with memorization but the goal is to read from the Arabic letters directly.
What if I forget Dua e Qunoot in Witr?
If you remember before going into ruku, recite it then. If you forget completely and only realize after the prayer ends, the prayer is still valid. If you realize you forgot it during the prayer (after going into ruku), continue and perform sajda sahw — two extra sajdahs after the final tashahhud, before the final salam.
Should Dua e Qunoot be recited before or after ruku?
In the Hanafi madhhab, before ruku — in the standing position (qiyam) of the third rakat, after Fatihah and the surah. In the Shafi’i and Hanbali madhabs, after ruku, in the standing position called i’tidal. For Indian/Pakistani/Bangladeshi Muslims following Hanafi, always before ruku.
How many versions of Dua e Qunoot are there?
The two most prominent are: (1) “Allahumma inna nasta’eenuka…” narrated from Umar (RA), used in the Hanafi madhhab in Witr; and (2) “Allahumma ihdini feeman hadait…” narrated from al-Hasan ibn Ali (RA) and recorded in Sunan Abu Dawud, used by Shafi’is in Fajr and accepted by some Hanafis as additional. Both are authentically transmitted.
What is the difference between Dua e Qunoot and Qunoot-e-Nazilah?
Dua e Qunoot is the daily supplication in Witr (or Fajr in some madhabs). Qunoot-e-Nazilah is a separate, special supplication recited during times of major calamity affecting the Muslim ummah, in obligatory prayers (especially Fajr), not as a regular daily practice. Different wording, different occasion.
Closing note
For Indian Muslims, Witr with Dua e Qunoot is the established daily practice — every night, three rakats, the dua before ruku in the third. If you have grown up praying it, this page is a refresher and a reference. If you are still learning, focus on memorizing the primary text, master the method, and use the substitutes in the meantime. The prayer is an act of consistency more than performance, and Allah accepts the effort along with the result.
Mufti Salim Qasmi
Graduate of Darul Uloom Deoband and lead scholar at Iqra Expert Online Quran Academy. Specializes in Hanafi fiqh, Hadith sciences, and contemporary issues for Muslim families. Read more about the author →
