Dua e Qunoot (دُعَاءُ قُنُوت)
Dua e Qunoot is a special supplication that is recited during the Witr prayer in Isha. The word “Qunoot” (قنوت) comes from the Arabic root meaning “obedience, devotion, and humility”. It is a powerful dua in which a believer seeks Allah’s help, mercy, guidance, and protection.
Arabic Text:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا نَسْتَعِينُكَ وَنَسْتَغْفِرُكَ وَنُؤْمِنُ بِكَ وَنَتَوَكَّلُ عَلَيْكَ وَنُثْنِي عَلَيْكَ الْخَيْرَ، وَنَشْكُرُكَ وَلَا نَكْفُرُكَ، وَنَخْلَعُ وَنَتْرُكُ مَنْ يَفْجُرُكَ، اللَّهُمَّ إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَلَكَ نُصَلِّي وَنَسْجُدُ، وَإِلَيْكَ نَسْعَى وَنَحْفِدُ، وَنَرْجُو رَحْمَتَكَ وَنَخْشَىٰ عَذَابَكَ، إِنَّ عَذَابَكَ بِالْكُفَّارِ مُلْحَقٌ
Transliteration:
Allahumma inna nasta’eenu-ka wa nastaghfiru-ka, wa nu’minu bika wa natawakkalu ‘alayka, wa nuthni ‘alayka al-khaira, wa nashkuru-ka wa la nakfuru-ka, wa nakhla’u wa natruku man yafjuruka. Allahumma iyyaka na’budu wa laka nusalli wa nasjud, wa ilayka nas’a wa nahfid, wa narju rahmataka wa nakhsha ‘adhabaka, inna ‘adhabaka bil-kuffari mulhaq.
English Translation:
“O Allah, we seek Your help and ask for Your forgiveness. We believe in You and rely on You. We praise You and thank You, and we do not deny You. We abandon and forsake those who disobey You. O Allah, You alone we worship, and for You we pray and prostrate. To You we strive and hasten, and we hope for Your mercy and fear Your punishment. Indeed, Your punishment will reach the disbelievers.”
Urdu Translation:
اے اللہ! ہم تجھی سے مدد مانگتے ہیں اور تجھی سے بخشش طلب کرتے ہیں، اور تجھ پر ایمان رکھتے ہیں اور تجھ پر بھروسہ کرتے ہیں۔ ہم تیری بہترین تعریف کرتے ہیں اور تیرا شکر ادا کرتے ہیں اور تیری ناشکری نہیں کرتے۔ ہم اس سے کنارہ کشی اختیار کرتے ہیں جو تیری نافرمانی کرے۔ اے اللہ! ہم تیری ہی عبادت کرتے ہیں اور تیرے لیے نماز پڑھتے ہیں اور سجدہ کرتے ہیں۔ تیری ہی طرف دوڑتے ہیں اور تیری رحمت کے امیدوار ہیں اور تیرے عذاب سے ڈرتے ہیں۔ بے شک تیرا عذاب کافروں کو گھیرنے والا ہے۔
When is Dua e Qunoot Recited?
- It is recited in the Witr prayer (after Isha Salah) in the third rak’ah.
- Some scholars allow it to be recited before or after Ruku (bowing).
- In times of hardship, Qunoot-e-Nazilah (a special Qunoot) can be recited in Fajr or other prayers to seek Allah’s help.
Significance of Dua e Qunoot
1. Seeking Help from Allah
Dua e Qunoot begins with a plea for Allah’s assistance, recognizing that all strength and power belong to Him alone. By reciting it, we declare our complete dependence on Allah for guidance and support.
2. Asking for Forgiveness
Dua e Qunoot includes seeking forgiveness (Istighfar) from Allah for our sins, acknowledging human weakness and the need for Allah’s mercy.
Hadith Reference:
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“The one who seeks forgiveness, Allah grants him a way out of every hardship and provides for him from sources he never imagined.”
3. Strengthening Faith (Iman) and Trust in Allah
By reciting Dua e Qunoot, we reaffirm our belief in Allah, acknowledging His greatness and praising Him. It helps strengthen Iman (faith) and Tawakkul (trust in Allah).
4. Expressing Gratitude to Allah
Dua e Qunoot contains words of praise and gratitude to Allah for His blessings. It teaches us that being grateful increases our rewards.
5. Seeking Protection from Disobedience and Punishment
The dua also includes renouncing disobedience and seeking protection from Allah’s punishment. This keeps us mindful of our actions and encourages us to stay on the right path.