Is Du‘ā al-Qunūt Mandatory in Witr Prayer? Islamic Ruling Explained

✦ Ruling on Not Reciting Du‘ā al-Qunūt in Witr Prayer ✦


❖ Question:
What should a person do if he does not know Du‘ā al-Qunūt in Witr prayer and finds it difficult to memorize?


❖ Answer by:
Fadhilat al-Shaykh Saeed Mujtaba Saeedi ḥafiẓahullāh
Fadhilat al-‘Ālim Ikramullah Wahidi ḥafiẓahullāh

✦ Du‘ā al-Qunūt Is Not Obligatory in Witr​

① Reciting Du‘ā al-Qunūt in Witr is not obligatory.
② If a person forgets to recite it or intentionally omits it, the Witr prayer remains valid and complete.

✦ Memorizing the Du‘ā Is Recommended but Not Mandatory​

① It is commendable for one to make an effort to memorize the Du‘ā.
② A person may memorize it gradually by learning a portion each day and reciting that in prayer.
③ If one does not know the Du‘ā, they may supplicate with any other du‘ā instead.

✦ No Requirement for Sujūd al-Sahw​

① If Du‘ā al-Qunūt is missed in Witr, Sujūd al-Sahw (prostration of forgetfulness) is not required.

✦ Conclusion​

✔ Du‘ā al-Qunūt is not a requirement in Witr prayer; omitting it does not invalidate the prayer.
✔ Those who wish to memorize it may do so gradually, and in the meantime, may recite any other supplication.
✔ No Sujūd al-Sahw is needed if the Du‘ā is not recited.