Masnūn Du‘ā of Qunūt al-Witr and Its Shar‘i Rulings — Complete Explanation
Source: Fatāwā Arkān al-Islām
Question
What are the Shar‘i rulings regarding Qunūt al-Witr and Qunūt al-Nāzilah? What is the Masnūn du‘ā of Qunūt? Are there specific prescribed supplications for this? Can a long du‘ā be made in the Witr prayer?
Answer
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ‘alā Rasūlillāh, ammā ba‘d:
The Prophet ﷺ taught al-Ḥasan ibn ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib رضي الله عنه the following du‘ā:
«اَللّٰهُمَّ اهْدِنِیْ فِيْمَنْ هَدَيْتَ، وَعَافِنِیْ فَيْمَنْ عَافَيْتَ…»
(Jāmiʿ al-Tirmidhī, Kitāb al-Ṣalāh, Bāb: Mā Jā’a fī al-Qunūt fī al-Witr, ḥadīth 646)
Translation:
“O Allah! Include me among those whom You have guided, and include me among those whom You have granted well-being…”
Guidelines for the Imām
◈ Use the plural form:
The Imām should recite the Qunūt in plural form, e.g., (اَللّٰهُمَّ اهْدِنَا…) because he is making du‘ā for both himself and his followers.
◈ Including other du‘ās:
The Imām may include other supplications in Qunūt if:
❀ The du‘ā is not excessively long.
❀ It does not burden the followers or cause them to feel uneasy.
Evidence for Avoiding Excessive Length
The Prophet ﷺ admonished Muʿādh ibn Jabal رضي الله عنه when he prolonged the prayer for his people:
«أَفَتَّانٌ أَنْتَ يَا مُعَاذُ؟»
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Adhān, Bāb: Man Shakā Imāmahu idhā Ṭawwala, ḥadīth 705)
Translation:
“O Muʿādh! Are you putting the people to trial?”
هٰذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
