❖ Authenticity of Du‘ā’ al-Qunūt in Witr Prayer ❖
✍ Fatwa by: Fadhilat al-Shaykh Abdul Wakeel Nasir ḥafiẓahullāh
Is Du‘ā’ al-Qunūt in Witr prayer authentically proven from the Sunnah?
✔ Yes, Du‘ā’ al-Qunūt in Witr is authentically proven from the Sunnah.
The Prophet ﷺ taught this supplication to Sayyidunā Ḥasan ibn ʿAlī رضي الله عنهما, who reported:
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ taught me the following words to recite in Witr prayer:
"اللَّهُمَّ اهْدِنِي فِيمَنْ هَدَيْتَ، وَعَافِنِي فِيمَنْ عَافَيْتَ، وَتَوَلَّنِي فِيمَنْ تَوَلَّيْتَ، وَبَارِكْ لِي فِيمَا أَعْطَيْتَ، وَقِنِي شَرَّ مَا قَضَيْتَ، إِنَّكَ تَقْضِي وَلَا يُقْضَى عَلَيْكَ، وَإِنَّهُ لَا يَذِلُّ مَنْ وَالَيْتَ، وَلَا يَعِزُّ مَنْ عَادَيْتَ، تَبَارَكْتَ رَبَّنَا وَتَعَالَيْتَ"
(Sunan Abī Dāwūd: 1425 – Authentic Chain)
“O Allah! Guide me among those whom You have guided,
Grant me well-being among those whom You have granted well-being,
Take me into Your charge among those whom You have taken into Your charge,
Bless me in what You have given me,
Protect me from the evil of what You have decreed,
Indeed, You decree and none can pass decree upon You.
He whom You befriend is never humiliated,
And he whom You show enmity to is never honored.
Blessed are You, our Lord, and Exalted.”
Some scholars have also authenticated a version of Du‘ā’ al-Qunūt reported from Sayyidunā ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb رضي الله عنه, which is commonly practiced in the Muslim world. This version is authentically reported in mūqūf form:
"اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا نَسْتَعِينُكَ وَنَسْتَغْفِرُكَ..."
(Musannaf Ibn Abī Shaybah, 2/95)
This includes:
✔ Du‘ā’ al-Qunūt taught by the Prophet ﷺ to Ḥasan ibn ʿAlī is authentically proven.
✔ The version narrated from ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb رضي الله عنه is also valid and permissible to recite.
✔ Both supplications are established and accepted in Witr prayer according to sound hadith evidence.
✍ Fatwa by: Fadhilat al-Shaykh Abdul Wakeel Nasir ḥafiẓahullāh
◈ Question
Is Du‘ā’ al-Qunūt in Witr prayer authentically proven from the Sunnah?
◈ Authenticity of Du‘ā’ al-Qunūt in Witr
✔ Yes, Du‘ā’ al-Qunūt in Witr is authentically proven from the Sunnah.
The Prophet ﷺ taught this supplication to Sayyidunā Ḥasan ibn ʿAlī رضي الله عنهما, who reported:
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ taught me the following words to recite in Witr prayer:
"اللَّهُمَّ اهْدِنِي فِيمَنْ هَدَيْتَ، وَعَافِنِي فِيمَنْ عَافَيْتَ، وَتَوَلَّنِي فِيمَنْ تَوَلَّيْتَ، وَبَارِكْ لِي فِيمَا أَعْطَيْتَ، وَقِنِي شَرَّ مَا قَضَيْتَ، إِنَّكَ تَقْضِي وَلَا يُقْضَى عَلَيْكَ، وَإِنَّهُ لَا يَذِلُّ مَنْ وَالَيْتَ، وَلَا يَعِزُّ مَنْ عَادَيْتَ، تَبَارَكْتَ رَبَّنَا وَتَعَالَيْتَ"
(Sunan Abī Dāwūd: 1425 – Authentic Chain)
◈ Translation of the Du‘ā’:
“O Allah! Guide me among those whom You have guided,
Grant me well-being among those whom You have granted well-being,
Take me into Your charge among those whom You have taken into Your charge,
Bless me in what You have given me,
Protect me from the evil of what You have decreed,
Indeed, You decree and none can pass decree upon You.
He whom You befriend is never humiliated,
And he whom You show enmity to is never honored.
Blessed are You, our Lord, and Exalted.”
◈ Other Versions of Du‘ā’ al-Qunūt
Some scholars have also authenticated a version of Du‘ā’ al-Qunūt reported from Sayyidunā ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb رضي الله عنه, which is commonly practiced in the Muslim world. This version is authentically reported in mūqūf form:
"اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا نَسْتَعِينُكَ وَنَسْتَغْفِرُكَ..."
(Musannaf Ibn Abī Shaybah, 2/95)
This includes:
- Seeking Allah’s help and forgiveness
- Declaring faith and reliance on Him
- Expressing praise and gratitude
- Renouncing those who disobey Allah
- Emphasizing exclusive worship and submission
- Hoping for His mercy and fearing His punishment
◈ Summary
✔ Du‘ā’ al-Qunūt taught by the Prophet ﷺ to Ḥasan ibn ʿAlī is authentically proven.
✔ The version narrated from ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb رضي الله عنه is also valid and permissible to recite.
✔ Both supplications are established and accepted in Witr prayer according to sound hadith evidence.
