The Two Main Types of Qunut
Qunut al-Witr: The personal du’a recited during Witr prayer. Witr is prayed after ‘Isha and is the final voluntary prayer of the night. The Qunut is recited after rising from ruku’ in the last rak’at of Witr, before the final sujud.
Qunut al-Nazila: A supplication added during a communal calamity, usually in Fajr prayer after the final ruku’. The Prophet (SAW) used this during:
- The massacre of the Qurra’ (Qur’an reciters) at Bi’r Ma’una — he prayed Qunut for 30 days
- Crises affecting the Muslim community
Madhab Differences on Witr Qunut
| Madhab | Ruling on Witr Qunut |
|---|---|
| Hanafi | Wajib (obligatory) in Witr, recited before ruku’ in the 3rd rak’at |
| Shafi’i | Sunnah in the 2nd rak’at of Fajr prayer (not Witr); no Witr qunut |
| Maliki | Not prescribed in Witr; Qunut al-Nazila only |
| Hanbali | Sunnah in Witr specifically during the second half of Ramadan |
The Hanafi position (Qunut in Witr as wajib, before ruku’) is the dominant practice in South Asian Muslim communities including Dawoodi Bohras. The Shafi’i emphasis on Fajr Qunut is common in Arab communities.
The Taught Text — Two Versions
Ibn ‘Abbas version (taught to al-Hasan): Allahumma ihdini fiman hadayt / wa ‘afini fiman ‘afayt / wa tawallani fiman tawallayt / wa barik li fima a’tayt / wa qini sharra ma qadayt / fa innaka taqdi wa la yuqda ‘alayk / wa innahu la yadhillu man walayt / tabarakta Rabbana wa ta’alayt
Additional blessing on the Prophet: Many add Allahumma salli ‘ala Muhammad before the closing.
Extension: Historically the Qunut was extended to include prayers for the community, for protection from enemies, for the sick, and for specific needs. The Prophet’s own Qunut al-Nazila demonstrates that the supplication can be lengthy and specific.
The Spiritual Depth of Qunut
The word qunut captures a specific spiritual posture: standing in humble, devoted attention before Allah after the depths of bow (ruku’) and prostration (sujud). In this moment, hands raised, one stands before Allah not yet descended to sujud again — it is an intensely vertical moment of supplication.
The taught du’a is a masterpiece of theological balance: it asks for guidance, health, divine friendship, blessing, and protection from evil — but roots each petition in the formula “among those You have [already] given this to” — linking the supplicant’s petition to Allah’s prior acts of grace rather than asserting individual entitlement.
See also: Understanding Namaz, Wudu, Dhikr, Adhkar, Fiqh Madhabs, Fiqh Overview