Written by: Sheikh Mubashar Ahmad Rabbani (Hafizahullah)
When Muslims face major difficulties or calamities, they invoke Qunoot Nazilah during prayer, beseeching Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) with humility and sincerity for relief from these hardships.
The world witnesses various types of tribulations, such as the oppression and persecution of Muslims by disbelievers and oppressors in different parts of the world. Many Muslims are subjected to imprisonment, torture, and hardships, making them targets of cruelty. In such circumstances, Qunoot Nazilah is recited as an established practice from the Prophet (ﷺ), the Sahabah (رضي الله عنهم), the Tabi‘een, and the scholars of Islam.
The purpose of this supplication is for Muslims to acknowledge their sins and repent sincerely before Allah while pleading for divine protection and mercy.
Sayyidah Aisha (رضي الله عنها) narrates that the Prophet (ﷺ) said:
"I perform Qunoot so that you may call upon your Lord and ask Him for your needs."
[Majma‘ al-Zawa’id 2/138]
Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه) narrates:
_"By Allah! I will offer a prayer similar to that of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ)." _
Thus, he would recite Qunoot in Dhuhr, ‘Isha, and Fajr, making supplications for the believers and curses upon the disbelievers.
[Sahih Muslim, Book of Mosques, Chapter: The Recommendation of Qunoot in All Prayers (Hadith 676)]
Sayyiduna Al-Bara ibn ‘Azib (رضي الله عنه) reports:
"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to recite Qunoot in the Fajr and Maghrib prayers."
[Sahih Muslim, Book of Mosques, Hadith 678]
Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه) narrates:
"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) recited Qunoot in the ‘Isha prayer for one month."
[Sunan Abi Dawood, Book of Witr, Hadith 1442]
Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas (رضي الله عنهما) narrates:
"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) continuously recited Qunoot for one month in Dhuhr, ‘Asr, Maghrib, ‘Isha, and Fajr, after saying Sami‘a Allahu liman hamidah in the last Rak‘ah. He would supplicate against some tribes of Banu Sulaim and the congregation behind him would say Ameen."
[Sunan Abi Dawood, Book of Witr, Hadith 1443]
These narrations prove that the Prophet (ﷺ) recited Qunoot Nazilah in different prayers depending on the circumstances. Therefore, we should also follow this practice in times of distress until the trials and oppression faced by Muslims are alleviated.
"The Prophet (ﷺ) recited Qunoot after Ruku‘ for a month and supplicated:
O Allah! Save Al-Walid ibn Al-Walid, O Allah! Save Salamah ibn Hisham, O Allah! Save ‘Ayyash ibn Abi Rabi‘ah, O Allah! Save the weak believers, O Allah! Intensify Your punishment upon the tribe of Mudar, O Allah! Make their years like the years of Yusuf (i.e., famine)."_
Then, Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه) said:
"I later saw the Prophet (ﷺ) cease making this supplication, so I asked why. The people replied: ‘Don’t you see that those for whom he was supplicating have been freed from the disbelievers’ captivity?’"
[Sahih Muslim, Book of Mosques, Hadith 675]
This teaches us that Qunoot Nazilah should be performed until the difficulties facing Muslims are resolved.
In the present times, Muslims in Palestine, Kashmir, Algeria, and other regions continue to suffer under the oppression of tyrants. As part of our religious duty, while we engage in active efforts like Jihad and other means, we must also use the powerful weapon of supplication (du‘a) through Qunoot Nazilah.
Muslims should collectively supplicate for the victory of the oppressed and the destruction of their oppressors after Sami‘a Allahu liman hamidah before going into Sujood in their prayers.
"The correct opinion is that there is no fixed supplication for Qunoot Nazilah; rather, any supplication that fulfills the purpose of seeking Allah’s help and relief from oppression may be used. However, the well-known supplication (اللهم اهدني فيمن هديت…) is recommended but not obligatory."
[Sharh Sahih Muslim, 1/237]
The best approach is to recite اللهم اهدني فيمن هديت... first, followed by other relevant du‘as from the Qur’an and Sunnah.
Sayyiduna Ubayy ibn Ka‘b (رضي الله عنه) would lead Taraweeh prayer and, during times of difficulty, he would supplicate against the enemies of Islam before sending blessings upon the Prophet (ﷺ) and seeking forgiveness for the believers.
One narration states:
"In the middle of Ramadan, he would curse the disbelievers, saying:
O Allah! Destroy the disbelievers who hinder people from Your path, deny Your messengers, and reject Your promises. Scatter their unity, instill fear in their hearts, and send upon them Your punishment and torment, O Lord of Truth."
Then, he would send salutations upon the Prophet (ﷺ) and supplicate for the believers.
[Ibn Khuzaymah 2/155-156; Qiyam Ramadan by Al-Albani, p. 32]
Today, as Muslims continue to face severe oppression in many parts of the world, it is essential that we implement this Sunnah by reciting Qunoot Nazilah in our prayers until Allah grants relief and victory to the oppressed.
What is Qunoot Nazilah?
Qunoot refers to supplication (du‘a), and Nazilah means a calamity or hardship.When Muslims face major difficulties or calamities, they invoke Qunoot Nazilah during prayer, beseeching Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) with humility and sincerity for relief from these hardships.
The world witnesses various types of tribulations, such as the oppression and persecution of Muslims by disbelievers and oppressors in different parts of the world. Many Muslims are subjected to imprisonment, torture, and hardships, making them targets of cruelty. In such circumstances, Qunoot Nazilah is recited as an established practice from the Prophet (ﷺ), the Sahabah (رضي الله عنهم), the Tabi‘een, and the scholars of Islam.
The purpose of this supplication is for Muslims to acknowledge their sins and repent sincerely before Allah while pleading for divine protection and mercy.
Sayyidah Aisha (رضي الله عنها) narrates that the Prophet (ﷺ) said:
"I perform Qunoot so that you may call upon your Lord and ask Him for your needs."
[Majma‘ al-Zawa’id 2/138]
When and How to Perform Qunoot Nazilah?
The Prophet (ﷺ) recited Qunoot Nazilah during times of hardship and included it in some or all of the five daily prayers.Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه) narrates:
_"By Allah! I will offer a prayer similar to that of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ)." _
Thus, he would recite Qunoot in Dhuhr, ‘Isha, and Fajr, making supplications for the believers and curses upon the disbelievers.
[Sahih Muslim, Book of Mosques, Chapter: The Recommendation of Qunoot in All Prayers (Hadith 676)]
Sayyiduna Al-Bara ibn ‘Azib (رضي الله عنه) reports:
"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to recite Qunoot in the Fajr and Maghrib prayers."
[Sahih Muslim, Book of Mosques, Hadith 678]
Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه) narrates:
"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) recited Qunoot in the ‘Isha prayer for one month."
[Sunan Abi Dawood, Book of Witr, Hadith 1442]
Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas (رضي الله عنهما) narrates:
"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) continuously recited Qunoot for one month in Dhuhr, ‘Asr, Maghrib, ‘Isha, and Fajr, after saying Sami‘a Allahu liman hamidah in the last Rak‘ah. He would supplicate against some tribes of Banu Sulaim and the congregation behind him would say Ameen."
[Sunan Abi Dawood, Book of Witr, Hadith 1443]
These narrations prove that the Prophet (ﷺ) recited Qunoot Nazilah in different prayers depending on the circumstances. Therefore, we should also follow this practice in times of distress until the trials and oppression faced by Muslims are alleviated.
What Should Be Recited in Qunoot Nazilah?
Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه) narrates:"The Prophet (ﷺ) recited Qunoot after Ruku‘ for a month and supplicated:
O Allah! Save Al-Walid ibn Al-Walid, O Allah! Save Salamah ibn Hisham, O Allah! Save ‘Ayyash ibn Abi Rabi‘ah, O Allah! Save the weak believers, O Allah! Intensify Your punishment upon the tribe of Mudar, O Allah! Make their years like the years of Yusuf (i.e., famine)."_
Then, Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه) said:
"I later saw the Prophet (ﷺ) cease making this supplication, so I asked why. The people replied: ‘Don’t you see that those for whom he was supplicating have been freed from the disbelievers’ captivity?’"
[Sahih Muslim, Book of Mosques, Hadith 675]
This teaches us that Qunoot Nazilah should be performed until the difficulties facing Muslims are resolved.
In the present times, Muslims in Palestine, Kashmir, Algeria, and other regions continue to suffer under the oppression of tyrants. As part of our religious duty, while we engage in active efforts like Jihad and other means, we must also use the powerful weapon of supplication (du‘a) through Qunoot Nazilah.
Muslims should collectively supplicate for the victory of the oppressed and the destruction of their oppressors after Sami‘a Allahu liman hamidah before going into Sujood in their prayers.
Are There Specific Supplications for Qunoot Nazilah?
Imam Al-Nawawi (رحمه الله) states:"The correct opinion is that there is no fixed supplication for Qunoot Nazilah; rather, any supplication that fulfills the purpose of seeking Allah’s help and relief from oppression may be used. However, the well-known supplication (اللهم اهدني فيمن هديت…) is recommended but not obligatory."
[Sharh Sahih Muslim, 1/237]
The best approach is to recite اللهم اهدني فيمن هديت... first, followed by other relevant du‘as from the Qur’an and Sunnah.
Examples of Supplications in Qunoot Nazilah
During times of distress, Sahabah and righteous predecessors would supplicate against the oppressors.Sayyiduna Ubayy ibn Ka‘b (رضي الله عنه) would lead Taraweeh prayer and, during times of difficulty, he would supplicate against the enemies of Islam before sending blessings upon the Prophet (ﷺ) and seeking forgiveness for the believers.
One narration states:
"In the middle of Ramadan, he would curse the disbelievers, saying:
O Allah! Destroy the disbelievers who hinder people from Your path, deny Your messengers, and reject Your promises. Scatter their unity, instill fear in their hearts, and send upon them Your punishment and torment, O Lord of Truth."
Then, he would send salutations upon the Prophet (ﷺ) and supplicate for the believers.
[Ibn Khuzaymah 2/155-156; Qiyam Ramadan by Al-Albani, p. 32]
Conclusion
Qunoot Nazilah is a prophetic Sunnah to seek divine help during hardships. The Prophet (ﷺ) and his companions practiced it regularly in times of oppression and suffering.Today, as Muslims continue to face severe oppression in many parts of the world, it is essential that we implement this Sunnah by reciting Qunoot Nazilah in our prayers until Allah grants relief and victory to the oppressed.
