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
Wilayah (Divine Authority)
The concept of divine authority and leadership in Shia Islam.
Tabi'in (The Successors)
The generation of Muslims who met the Prophet's companions but did not themselves meet the Prophet.
Marja' al-Taqlid (Religious Authority)
The highest religious authority in Shia Islam, whom the believer follows in prayer and legal matters.
Shahadah (Declaration of Faith)
The first pillar of Islam: the testimony that there is no god except Allah and that Muhammad is His Messenger.
Niyyah (Intention)
The conscious intention in the heart to perform a specific prayer.
Khutbah (Sermon)
The Islamic sermon delivered before the Friday prayer and at the Eid prayers.