Dua e Qunoot (also written Dua Qunut) is a supplication recited in the Witr prayer. This guide gives the Arabic wording taught in our Witr course, with a transliteration and an English meaning for each phrase. That wording follows the Hanafi method and is based on the text published by SeekersGuidance. Other transmitted wordings of Qunut exist, so this is one recognised version, not the only one.
This guide has not been reviewed by a qualified scholar, and the Arabic has not been independently verified. It reproduces the text, transliteration and meanings used in our course. Check the wording with a qualified teacher before you rely on it in prayer.
Dua e Qunoot in Arabic
This is the complete wording used in the Witr Salah: The Easy Way course. It follows the longer version in Ascent to Felicity (page 192), as reproduced by SeekersGuidance.
اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا نَسْتَعِينُكَ وَنَسْتَهْدِيكَ وَنَسْتَغْفِرُكَ وَنَتُوبُ إِلَيْكَ وَنُؤْمِنُ بِكَ وَنَتَوَكَّلُ عَلَيْكَ وَنُثْنِي عَلَيْكَ الْخَيْرَ كُلَّهُ نَشْكُرُكَ وَلَا نَكْفُرُكَ وَنَخْلَعُ وَنَتْرُكُ مَنْ يَفْجُرُكَ اللَّهُمَّ إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَلَكَ نُصَلِّي وَنَسْجُدُ وَإِلَيْكَ نَسْعَى وَنَحْفِدُ نَرْجُو رَحْمَتَكَ وَنَخْشَى عَذَابَكَ إِنَّ عَذَابَكَ الْجِدَّ بِالْكُفَّارِ مُلْحِقٌ
The source text continues after the last phrase here with blessings on the Prophet ﷺ, his family and his Companions. The course's main supplication ends at "mulhiq", so the blessings are not repeated here. See the source page for the full text.
Dua e Qunoot transliteration
Allahumma inna nasta‘inuka wa nastahdik. Wa nastaghfiruka wa natubu ilayk. Wa nu’minu bika wa natawakkalu ‘alayk. Wa nuthni ‘alaykal-khayra kullah. 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 ‘adhabakal-jidda bil-kuffari mulhiq.
Transliteration is a pronunciation aid. It cannot show every Arabic sound, so use it to get started and have a competent teacher check your pronunciation.
Dua e Qunoot meaning, phrase by phrase
Each Arabic phrase below is followed by the English meaning used in the Witr course. These are simple learning translations. They are not offered as the only or official translation, and other renderings word some phrases differently.
Phrase 1
اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا نَسْتَعِينُكَ وَنَسْتَهْدِيكَ
Meaning: O Allah, we seek Your help and guidance.
Phrase 2
وَنَسْتَغْفِرُكَ وَنَتُوبُ إِلَيْكَ
Meaning: We ask Your forgiveness and turn to You in repentance.
Phrase 3
وَنُؤْمِنُ بِكَ وَنَتَوَكَّلُ عَلَيْكَ
Meaning: We believe in You and place our trust in You.
Phrase 4
وَنُثْنِي عَلَيْكَ الْخَيْرَ كُلَّهُ
Meaning: We praise You with every good praise.
Phrase 5
نَشْكُرُكَ وَلَا نَكْفُرُكَ
Meaning: We thank You and do not reject You.
Phrase 6
وَنَخْلَعُ وَنَتْرُكُ مَنْ يَفْجُرُكَ
Meaning: We disassociate ourselves from and leave those who defy You.
Phrase 7
اللَّهُمَّ إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَلَكَ نُصَلِّي وَنَسْجُدُ
Meaning: O Allah, You alone we worship; to You we pray and prostrate.
Phrase 8
وَإِلَيْكَ نَسْعَى وَنَحْفِدُ
Meaning: Towards You we strive and hasten.
Phrase 9
نَرْجُو رَحْمَتَكَ وَنَخْشَى عَذَابَكَ
Meaning: We hope for Your mercy and fear Your punishment.
Phrase 10
إِنَّ عَذَابَكَ الْجِدَّ بِالْكُفَّارِ مُلْحِقٌ
Meaning: Your true punishment will surely reach the disbelievers.
When is Dua e Qunoot recited in Witr?
According to the Hanafi school, as SeekersGuidance explains, it is necessary (wajib) to recite a qunut supplication in the third rak'ah of Witr, before bowing (source).
The Witr course teaches this order in the third rak'ah: recite Al-Fatihah and a surah, say an extra takbeer with raised hands, fold your hands, recite Qunut, then say a separate takbeer as you go into ruku (method).
The course also notes that other recognised methods of praying Witr exist, including reciting Qunut after bowing, and that they should not be assumed wrong (explanation). If you are praying behind an imam, or you have a particular situation such as forgetting Qunut, ask a qualified teacher. This guide does not give detailed rulings.
A simple way to memorise Dua e Qunoot
The Witr course splits the supplication into the same ten phrases shown above, each with its own recording and a complete recording. The course notes that this audio is for practice outside prayer. You can follow a sequence like this, or change it to suit you:
- Read the Arabic and the meaning of one phrase together.
- Listen to that phrase, then say it back slowly.
- Add the next phrase once the first feels steady.
- Say the phrases you know from the beginning, then add one more.
- Say the whole supplication without the text, and ask a teacher to listen.
Learn one or two phrases at a time. Practising a little each day is easier than trying all ten at once. Use the audio on the course page.
Common questions about Dua e Qunoot
Is Dua e Qunoot in the Quran?
No. It is a transmitted supplication, not Quranic text, and recognised wording variants exist.
Is there only one Dua e Qunoot?
No. This guide teaches the version used in our Witr course, which follows the Hanafi method. Other transmitted versions differ. Your imam or teacher may use a different one.
What if I have not memorised Dua e Qunoot yet?
The Witr course explains that, in Hanafi guidance, a suitable short Arabic supplication meets the requirement while you learn the recommended wording (guidance). SeekersGuidance says that minimally any supplication suffices (source). Keep learning the full supplication outside prayer, and ask a qualified teacher if you are unsure what to recite.
Where can I practise it phrase by phrase?
The Witr Salah: The Easy Way course has each phrase with Arabic, transliteration, meaning and audio for practice, plus the full Witr sequence.
Learn it in the Witr course
For the complete three-rak'ah Witr sequence, and phrase-by-phrase practice of Dua e Qunoot, use the free course.
Sources
- Could You Teach Me the Qunut Supplication for the Witr Prayer?, SeekersGuidance, answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam and checked by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani. Arabic text, transliteration and a source translation.
- Forgetting to Recite the Qunut in Witr Prayer, SeekersGuidance. Hanafi context for the place of Qunut in the third rak'ah.
- Details regarding Witr and The hadiths on the Witr prayer according to the Hanafi school, SeekersGuidance. Method and recognised differences, as used in the Witr course.
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Witr Salah: The Easy Way