Du'a al-Qunut (The Qunut Supplication in Witr)
The special supplication recited during the last rak'ah of the Witr prayer.
Du'a al-Qunut is the special supplication recited in the standing position during the last rak'ah of the Witr prayer (or in certain situations in the Fajr prayer). It is based on narrations from the Prophet (peace be upon him), who taught it to his grandson al-Hasan ibn Ali.
The most well-known version reads: "Allahumma ihdini fiman hadayt, wa 'afini fiman 'afayt, wa tawallani fiman tawallayt..." (O Allah, guide me among those You have guided, and grant me well-being among those You have granted well-being, and take charge of me among those You have taken charge of...). This du'a is narrated in Sunan Abu Dawud and Sunan al-Tirmidhi.
The Hanafi school recites qunut in Witr throughout the year, while the Shafi'i school primarily recites qunut in the Fajr prayer and in Witr during the last half of Ramadan. The Maliki school has qunut only in Fajr, and the Hanbali school has qunut in Witr only during the last half of Ramadan. There is also a "qunut al-nazilah" (calamity qunut), which is recited during special circumstances such as war or natural disasters.
Related terms
Waqt (Prayer Time)
The specific time interval within which a prayer must be performed.
Taqwa (God-Consciousness)
God-consciousness and piety — the ultimate goal of prayer and worship.
Salat al-Musafir (Traveler's Prayer)
The shortened prayers that travelers perform while traveling.
Taqlid (Following a School of Law)
The practice of following a qualified scholar's legal opinions without necessarily knowing the evidence.
Wudu (Ritual Ablution)
The ritual cleansing with water, required before prayer.
Mustahab (Recommended)
Actions that are recommended but not obligatory, and that give extra reward.