SALAT-UL-WITR‎

Q. I usually recite the Dua-e-Qunut, which is commonly recited in Salat-ul-Witr, i.e., "Allaahumma inna nastai'nuka." However, a friend recently told me that this Dua does not exist in the Hadith. Could you clarify this for me?

A. There are two types of Qunut:

1. The Qunut recited in the third Rak'ah of Salat-ul-Witr, commonly known as Dua-e-Qunut before the Ruku.
2. The Qunut Naazila, a Dua made in times of difficulty that affects the Muslim community at large. This Dua is recited in the obligatory Salah (Farz), particularly during Fajr, after the Ruku (before the Sajdah).

Based on the Ahaadith, it is clear that Qunut Naazila was not a regular practice; rather, it was reserved for specific occasions. In fact, it is reported in the Ahaadith that Rasulullah (Sallallahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) only practiced it for a month, and the Sahabah-e-Kiraam (Radiyallahu anhum) did so only when a need arose. Let's explore the origin of this practice through the Hadith.

Hadhrat Anas (Radiyallahu anhu) reports that, following a request from four Arab tribes, Rasulullah (Sallallahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) sent a group of elites composed of 70 Sahabah (Radiyallahu anhum), known as Al Qurra (the Qari plural), to teach these tribes. However, these tribes proved to be treacherous and attacked the group near a well called Ma'unah, killing them all. Grieved by this tragedy, Rasulullah (Sallallahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) began to curse these four tribes during the Salah, which continued for a month.

Then, while Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) was performing Fajr Salah, Jibril (Alaihis Salaam) descended and revealed to him the following verse:

"You have no choice in the matter. He shall grant them the ability to repent or He may punish them for they are indeed oppressors." (3:128)

Upon this revelation, Rasulullah (Sallallahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) ceased cursing the tribes. According to a Maraasil Hadith from Abu Dawud, Jibril (Alaihis Salaam) prevented Rasulullah (Sallallahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) from continuing to curse them. Instead, he taught him the Dua-e-Qunut: "Allaahumma inna nastai'nuka..." This Dua-e-Qunut actually contains two Surahs of the Qur'an-e-Kareem. Allaamah Jalaaluddeen As-Suyuti (Rahimahullah) states that this Dua was part of the revelation from Allah Ta'ala to Nabi-e-Kareem (Sallallahu 'Alaihi Wasallam), comprising two Surahs—the first called Al-Khala (from Allaahumma inna nastai'nuka to yafjuruka) and the second Al-Hafd (from Allaahumma Iyyaaka na'budu to mulhiq).

"Moreover, Hadhrat Ubaï bin Ka'b (Radiyallahu anhu) possessed a copy of the Qur'an containing these two Surahs, bringing the total number of Surahs in his copy to 116."

In a statement by Hadhrat Twaa'us (Rahimahullah) in Musannaf Abdur Razzaaq, it is mentioned that the Dua "Allaahumma inna nastai'nuka" was composed of two Surahs which were placed after Surah Al-Ikhlas (Qulhuwallahu Ahad).

In Musannaf Ibn Abu Shaibah, Abu Abdur Rahmaan (Rahimahullah) narrated that Hadhrat Abdullah Bin Mas'ud (Radiyallahu anhu) taught the recitation of "Allaahumma inna nastai'nuka" in Salat-ul-Witr. According to the same source, this Dua was also recited by Sahabah (Radiyallahu anhum) such as Hadhrat Umar (Radiyallahu anhu), Hadhrat Us'maan (Radiyallahu anhu), and Hadhrat 'Ali (Radiyallahu anhu). They used to recite this Dua in Salah during Fajr as Qunut Naazila. Hadhrat Ibrahim Nakh'i (Rahimahullah) also used to recite this Dua in Salat-ul-Witr.

Similarly, Hadhrat Sufyaan (Radiyallahu anhu) reported that the Sahabah (Radiyallahu anhum) and the Tabi'een preferred to recite these two Surahs (Al-Hafd and Al-Khala) in the Qunut of Witr. This practice was confirmed by Hadhrat Ibrahim Nakh'i (Rahimahullah), Hadhrat Ata (Rahimahullah), Hadhrat Said bin Musayyab (Rahimahullah), and Hadhrat Hasan Basri (Rahimahullah).

It is significant to note that this Dua was considered a Sura (Surah) before it was abrogated as part of the Tilaawat-e-Quran (recitation of the Qur'an). In other words, Allah Ta'ala removed it from the text of the Qur'an-e-Kareem.

It is clear from the above explanations that the Dua-e-Qunut "Allaahumma inna nastai'nuka" is not an innovation. In fact, Rasulullah (Sallallahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) and the Sahabah-e-Kiraam (Radiyallahu anhum) practiced it. The fact that, in the Hadith of Maraasil of Abu Dawud, this Dua is referred to as Qunut—while no other formula is called by this name—gives this Dua priority over other formulas. It is also noteworthy that Hadhrat 'Umar (Radiyallahu anhu), Hadhrat 'Usmaan (Radiyallahu anhu), Hadhrat 'Ali (Radiyallahu anhu), Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mas'ud (Radiyallahu anhum), and Hadhrat Ubaï bin Ka'b (Radiyallahu anhu) all practiced it. Furthermore, the fact that Hadhrat Jibril (Alaihis Salaam) came down from heaven to teach it further strengthens its significance.

Therefore, it is incorrect and irresponsible to claim that this Dua does not exist in the Hadith because in this way one seeks to deny the facts established by the Shariah. Your friend seems to be mistaken, so you should not give weight to such claims. Continue performing Salat-ul-Witr as you are accustomed to.

[English version of "La - Salaat-oul-Witr" – Al Haadi – Vol. 2 No. 3]