What Is the Dua of Qunoot and How Do You Perform It?

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Ask for Allah’s help and forgiveness in this optional evening prayer
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Du’a Qunoot is one of the prayers recited during Witr, a set of extra rakat performed at night after Isha or before Fajr. The Prophet Muhammed (ﷺ) never skipped the Witr, even while traveling, and encouraged other Muslims to perform it, too. In this article, we’ll go over the translation of Du’a Qunoot, how to perform it, and what you can say instead of Du’a Qunoot if you forget it.

Dua Qunoot Transliteration

“Allahumma ihdini feeman hadayt, wa a’fini fiman afait, wa tawallani fiman tawallait, wa barik Li fima atait, wa qini sharra ma qadait, fa Innaka taqdi wa la yuqda Alaik, wa innahu la yadhillu man walait, tabarakta Rabbana wa ta’alait.”

Section 1 of 4:

Dua Qunoot

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  1. Step 1 اللَّهُمَّ اهْدِنِي فِيمَنْ...
    اللَّهُمَّ اهْدِنِي فِيمَنْ هَدَيْتَ وَعَافِنِي فِيمَنْ عَافَيْتَ وَتَوَلَّنِي فِيمَنْ تَوَلَّيْتَ وَبَارِكْ لِي فِيمَا أَعْطَيْتَ وَقِنِي شَرَّ مَا قَضَيْتَ فَإِنَّكَ تَقْضِي وَلاَ يُقْضَى عَلَيْكَ وَإِنَّهُ لاَ يَذِلُّ مَنْ وَالَيْتَ تَبَارَكْتَ رَبَّنَا وَتَعَالَيْتَ. “Allahumma ihdini feeman hadayt, wa a’fini fiman afait, wa tawallani fiman tawallait, wa barik Li fima atait, wa qini sharra ma qadait, fa Innaka taqdi wa la yuqda Alaik, wa innahu la yadhillu man walait, tabarakta Rabbana wa ta’alait.”[1]
    • Translation: “O Allah! Guide me among those You have guided, pardon me among those You have pardoned, befriend me among those You have befriended, bless me in what You have granted, and save me from the evil that You decreed. Indeed You decree, and none can pass decree, and none can pass decree upon You, indeed he is not humiliated whom You have befriended, blessed are You our Lord and Exalted.”
    • This is the generally accepted version of the du’a-e-qunoot.
  2. Step 2 اَللَّهُمَّ إنا نَسْتَعِينُكَ...
    اَللَّهُمَّ إنا نَسْتَعِينُكَ وَنَسْتَغْفِرُكَ وَنُؤْمِنُ بِكَ وَنَتَوَكَّلُ عَلَيْكَ وَنُثْنِئْ عَلَيْكَ الخَيْرَ وَنَشْكُرُكَ وَلَا نَكْفُرُكَ وَنَخْلَعُ وَنَتْرُكُ مَنْ ئَّفْجُرُكَ اَللَّهُمَّ إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَلَكَ نُصَلِّئ وَنَسْجُدُ وَإِلَيْكَ نَسْعأئ وَنَحْفِدُ وَنَرْجُو رَحْمَتَكَ وَنَخْشآئ عَذَابَكَ إِنَّ عَذَابَكَ بِالكُفَّارِ مُلْحَقٌ. “Allahumma inna nasta-eenoka wa nastaghfiruka wa nu’minu bika wa natawakkalu alaika wa nusni alaikal khair, wa nashkuruka wala nakfuruka wa nakhla-oo wa natruku mai yafjuruka, Allah humma iyyaka na’budu wa laka nusalli wa nasjud wa ilaika nas aaa wa nahfizu wa narju rahma taka wa nakhshaa azaabaka inna azaabaka bil kuffari mulhik.”[2]
    • Translation: “O Allah! We invoke you for help, and beg for forgiveness, and we believe in you and have trust in you and we praise you, in the best way we can; and we thank you and we are not ungrateful to you, and we forsake and turn away from the one who disobeys you. O Allah! We worship you and prostrate ourselves before you, and we hasten towards you and serve you, and we hope to receive your mercy and we dread your torment. Surely, the disbelievers shall incur your torment.”
    • This is another accepted version of the Dua Qunoot that is typically recited by Muslims who practice Hanafi Islam, a Sunni school of religious law.[3]
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Section 2 of 4:

What is Dua Qunoot and what are its benefits?

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  1. Step 1 Du’a Qunoot is a traditional supplication recited after the Witr prayer.
    Du’a e Qunoot is a traditional prayer for Muslims that’s offered after Isha (sunset prayer) and before Fajr (night prayer). Muslims traditionally offer Du’a Qunoot during Witr, an odd-numbered extra prayer that the Prophet Muhammed (ﷺ) performed every night, even during travel.[4]
    • You can choose to preform 3, 5, 7, or 9 rak’ah, or units of prayer.
  2. Step 2 Du’a Qunoot grants Muslims Allah’s forgiveness and protection.
    The first version of the du’a asks for well-being, a positive relationship with Him, and protection from evil. The second version praises Allah and asks Him for forgiveness and mercy.[5] Reciting either version can help improve your relationship with Allah, reduce stress, and relieve physical and emotional pain.[6]
    • During Ramadan, Witr is done communally, and this du’a is recited out loud by the imam (the person who leads prayers in a mosque) for everyone to pray to.
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Section 3 of 4:

Performing Witr with Dua Qunoot

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  1. Step 1 Begin with the...
    Begin with the proper intention (niyyah) that you want to pray Witr. Decide on an odd number of rakat to pray (1, 3, 5, 7, or even 9). Out loud or in your head, say how many rakat you plan to offer.[7]
    • Some believe that Witr is Wajib (mandatory), while others say that it’s Sunnah (highly recommended and performed by the Prophet).
    • Make wudu before performing any prayer.
  2. Step 2 Face the Qiblah and raise both hands next to your shoulders or ears.
    The Qibla is the direction of the sacred Kaaba in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.[8] With your palms facing the Qibla, say “Allahu Akbar” (“Allah is the greatest”).
  3. Step 3 Place your hands over your chest, right over left.
    While standing, place your right hand on top of the left hand on your chest. Say “Audhu billahi min ashshayta nirrajeem” (“I seek Allah’s shelter from Shaytan, the condemned”). Then, recite Surat Al-Fatiha:[9]
    • Bis milla hirrahma nirraheem. Alhamdu lillahi rabbil aalameen. Arrahmaa nirraheem. Maliki yaumiddeen. Iyyaka nabudu wa iyyaka nasta’een. Ihdi nassira talmustaqeem. Sira talladhina anamta alayhim, ghayril maghdubi alayhim, wa ladhdhaal leen. Aameen.
    • Translation: “In the name of Allah, the most Gracious, most Merciful. All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the Worlds, The most Gracious, the most Merciful, Master of the Day of Judgment, You alone we worship and You alone we ask for assistance. Guide us along the straight path. The path of those upon whom You have bestowed Your blessings, not the path of those with whom You are angry nor the path of those who have gone astray.”
    • In addition, recite any other short chapter from the Quran.
  4. Step 4 Raise both hands, say “Allahu Akbar,” and bow.
    With your hands by your ears, say “Allahu Akbar.” Bow with your hands on your knees and say “Subhana rabbiyal azeem” (“Glory be to my Lord, the Almighty”) three times.
    • This is called the “ruku” position.
  5. Step 5 Stand with your hands by your sides.
    As you return to a standing position, say “Sami’allaahu liman hamidah” (“Allah hears those to praise Him”). When you’re standing fully with your hands by your sides, say “Rabbana wa lakal hamd” (“Our Lord, praise be to You”).[10]
  6. Step 6 Prostrate with your hands, knees, and forehead touching the ground.
    As you prostrate, say “Allahu Akbar.” Lean forwards so your knees, nose, forehead, toes, and the palms of your hands touch the ground. Make sure the soles of your feet are facing directly behind you. Say “Subhana rubbiyal a’ala” (“Glory be to my Lord, the Most High”) three times.
    • This is called the sujood position.
  7. Step 7 Say “Allahu Akbar” and sit on your left calf with your right foot upright.
    Make sure your bottom sits on the back of your left calf, with the top of your left foot and the toes of your right foot against the ground. With the sole of your right foot facing behind you, place your hands on your knees. Say “Allaahu Akbar” three times.
    • Alternatively, say “Rabbighfirlee” (“Oh Allah, forgive me”) three times.[11]
  8. Step 8 As you go into prostration again, say “Allahu Akbar.”
    While you’re prostrating, say “Subhana rubbiyal a’ala” (“Glory be to my Lord, the Most High”) three times.[12]
    • This completes the first rak’ah.
  9. Step 9 Stand, say “Allahu Akbar,” and repeat steps 3 through 8.
    As you stand up from the prostration position, say “Allahu Akbar.” Raise your hands to your ears, and say “Allahu Akbar” once more. Continue through this second rak’ah the same way as you did the first rak’ah.[13]
  10. Step 10 Enter the sitting position and recite the first part of the Tashahud.
    Sit on the back of your left calf with your right foot sitting upright underneath you. While sitting, say “At-tahiyyatu lillah, was-salawaatu wat-tayyibaat. As-salaamu ’alayka ayyuhan-Nabiyyu wa rahmat-Ullahi wa barakaatu. As-salaamu ’alayna, wa ’alaa ‘ibaadi-llahis saaliheen.”[14]
    • This means, “All compliments are for Allah, and prayers and goodness. Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings. Peace be upon us and on the righteous servants of Allah.”
  11. Step 11 Raise your right index finger and recite the rest of the Tashahud.
    Keeping both hands on your knees, point your right index finger out in front of you. Say, “Ashhadu an laa ilaaha ill-Allahu wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduHu wa Rasooluh” (“I bear witness that there is no god but Allah and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger”).[15]
    • After you’re done, lower your finger so both hands are resting against your knees again.
    • This completes the second rak’ah.
  12. Step 12 Stand and repeat step 3 to recite Surah Al-Fatiha.
    Stand with your hands on your chest, right over left. Say “Audhu billahi min ashshayta nirrajeem” (“I seek Allah’s shelter from Shaytan, the condemned”). Recite Surat Al-Fatiha:[16]
    • Bis milla hirrahma nirraheem. Alhamdu lillahi rabbil aalameen. Arrahmaa nirraheem. Maliki yaumiddeen. Iyyaka nabudu wa iyyaka nasta’een. Ihdi nassira talmustaqeem. Sira talladhina anamta alayhim, ghayril maghdubi alayhim, wa ladhdhaal leen. Aameen.
    • Translation: “In the name of Allah, the most Gracious, most Merciful. All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the Worlds, The most Gracious, the most Merciful, Master of the Day of Judgment, You alone we worship and You alone we ask for assistance. Guide us along the straight path. The path of those upon whom You have bestowed Your blessings, not the path of those with whom You are angry nor the path of those who have gone astray.”
    • Then you can recite a few other verses from the Quran.
  13. Step 13 Raise your hands to your ears and bring them to your navel.
    Instead of going down into the bowing (ruku) position, say “Allahu Akbar” and stand with your hands by your ears. Lower them back down to your belly button, then recite the Du’a Qunoot.[17]
    • “Allahumma ihdini feeman hadayt, wa a’fini fiman afait, wa tawallani fiman tawallait, wa barik Li fima atait, wa qini sharra ma qadait, fa Innaka taqdi wa la yuqda Alaik, wa innahu la yadhillu man walait, tabarakta Rabbana wa ta’alait.”
  14. Step 14 Repeat steps 5 through 8 and recite the Tashahud.
    Once you finish the rest of the rak’ah, enter the sitting position with your right foot upright and your left foot flat against the ground. Follow steps 10 through 11 to recite the Tashahud.[18]
    • Optionally, repeat the third rak’ah 2, 4, or 6 times.
  15. Step 15 Turn your head to the right, then the left.
    Once you’ve recited the Tashahud, enter the sitting position with both palms flat against your knees. Turn your head over your right shoulder and say “Assalaamu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullah” (“May Allah’s peace and mercy be upon you”). Turn your head over your left shoulder and repeat the prayer.[19]
    • Your prayer is now complete.
    • Make supplication by repeating “Subhaan Allah” (“Glory be to Allah”) or “Al-hamdu lillah” (“Praise be to Allah”) 33 times, or reciting “Allahu Akbar” 34 times.
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Section 4 of 4:

Alternative Prayers to Recite for Witr

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  1. Step 1 Rabbana Atina Fid Dunya
    If you find it difficult to memorize the Du’a of Qunoot, you can substitute it with any du’a.[20] One of the easiest to recite is “Rabbana atina fid dunya hasanatan wa fil Aakhirati hasanatan waqina ‘adhaban-nar.”[21]
    • Translation: “Our Lord, give us in this world [that which is] good and in the Hereafter [that which is] good and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.”
    • It’s not obligatory to recite Du’a Qunoot, but it’s highly recommended. It’s permissible to read Qunoot Du’a from a piece of paper or a book until you’re able to recite it from memory.[22]
  2. Step 2 Allahummaghfirli
    Another Du’a you can substitute for Qunoot is “Allahummaghfirli.” Repeat this phrase three times, then continue your prayer as normal.[23]
    • Translation: “O Allah, forgive me.”
    • Alternatively, say “Allahummahdini” (“O Allah, guide me”) three times.
  3. Step 3 Surah Ali ‘Imran Supplication
    It’s also permissible to recite a supplication from the Quran instead of Du’a Qunoot.[24] For example, you can recite “Rabbanaa laa tuzigh quloobanaa ba’da iz hadaitanaa wa hab lanaa mil ladunka rahmah; innaka antal Wahhaab” from Surah 3:8.[25]
    • Translation: “Our Lord! Do not let our hearts deviate after you have guided us. Grant us Your mercy. You are indeed the Giver of all bounties.”[26]
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  • Du’a Qunoot is very popular during the month of Ramadan because those nights are blessed.[27]
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  • A du’a (or dua) is an “invocation”, or prayer, where Muslims ask for Allah’s forgiveness, mercy, and answer to their requests.[28]
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References

  1. ↑ https://myislam.org/how-to-perform-witr-prayer/
  2. ↑ https://myislam.org/how-to-perform-witr-prayer/
  3. ↑ https://www.britannica.com/topic/Hanafiyah
  4. ↑ https://raleighmasjid.org/salatul-witr/
  5. ↑ https://www.womansday.com/life/a43452396/dua-for-qunoot/
  6. ↑ https://learnqurankids.com/dua-qunoot/
  7. ↑ https://myislam.org/how-to-perform-witr-prayer/
  8. ↑ https://www.britannica.com/topic/qiblah
  9. ↑ https://salamcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Prayer-Guide.pdf
  1. ↑ https://salamcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Prayer-Guide.pdf
  2. ↑ https://salamcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Prayer-Guide.pdf
  3. ↑ https://salamcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Prayer-Guide.pdf
  4. ↑ https://salamcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Prayer-Guide.pdf
  5. ↑ https://muslimhands.org.uk/latest/2020/07/how-to-perform-salah
  6. ↑ https://muslimhands.org.uk/latest/2020/07/how-to-perform-salah
  7. ↑ https://salamcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Prayer-Guide.pdf
  8. ↑ https://myislam.org/how-to-perform-witr-prayer/
  9. ↑ https://myislam.org/how-to-perform-witr-prayer/
  10. ↑ https://salamcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Prayer-Guide.pdf
  11. ↑ https://myislam.org/how-to-perform-witr-prayer/
  12. ↑ https://myislam.org/rabbana-atina-fid-dunya-hasanah/
  13. ↑ https://islamqa.info/en/answers/9061/how-to-pray-witr-if-you-dont-know-dua-al-qunut
  14. ↑ https://islamqa.org/hanafi/themufti/152317/are-there-any-alternate-duas-to-dua-e-qunoot-which-can-be-read-in-the-witr-salaah/
  15. ↑ https://islamqa.info/en/answers/9061/how-to-pray-witr-if-you-dont-know-dua-al-qunut
  16. ↑ https://myislam.org/surah-imran/ayat-8/
  17. ↑ https://quran.com/en/ali-imran/8
  18. ↑ https://www.womansday.com/life/a43452396/dua-for-qunoot/
  19. ↑ https://www.islamichelp.org.uk/power-of-dua

About This Article

Belal Elkadri
Co-authored by:
Belal Elkadri
Islam Education Expert & Motivational Speaker
This article was co-authored by Belal Elkadri and by wikiHow staff writer, Cheyenne Main. Belal Elkadri is an Islamic education expert and motivational speaker based in Detroit, Michigan. Belal is passionate about challenging the stigmas plaguing the Muslim community and bridging the gap through education, and ahs worked in the non-profit space for over 10 years. As a community outreach coordinator with The Family Youth Institute, Belal helped inform Imams across the nation on a variety of research, including issues involving youth, addiction, elderly care, parenting, and mental health. He has hosted numerous webinars to honor the Prophet Muhammad in coordination with Celebrate Mercy. He has also led multiple classes on the Sabr App, a guided meditation app for Muslims, and developed courses to help the spiritual and mental health of Muslims. His work with the Muslim Enrichment Project has helped connect new converts with local mosques in addition to providing reverts with Islamic education. Belal also encouraged mosques across the nation to accommodate the special needs community as the certification manager with MUHSEN. This article has been viewed 3,963 times.
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Co-authors: 6
Updated: June 17, 2025
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Categories: Muslim Prayer
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