Answer
In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.
In this fatwa:
Qunut An-Nazilah is a special supplication recited in times of hardship or calamity, particularly during the last Rak`ah of obligatory prayers. The Prophet Muhammad encouraged this Du`a during times of distress, seeking Allahโs guidance and protection. It is primarily performed after rising from Ruku` before going into Sujud.
Answering your question, we would like to state the following:
What is Qunut An-Nazilah?
Qunut An-Nazilah is a special supplication made during times of calamity, distress, or hardship.
It is typically recited in the last Rakโah of the obligatory prayers, specifically in the standing position after rising from the Ruku` (bowing).
The Prophetโs Practice of Qunut An-Nazilah
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) would recite this supplication when Muslims faced difficulties, such as war, oppression, or disasters.
Anas reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) observed Qunut for one month invoking curse upon some tribes of Arabia (those who were responsible for the murders in Biโr Ma`una and Raji`), but then abandoned it. (Muslim)
Abdullah ibn Abbas narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) recited the supplication (Qunut) daily for a month at the noon, afternoon, sunset, night and morning prayers. When he said: โAllah listens to him who praises Himโ in the last Rak`ah, invoking a curse on some clans of Banu Sulaym, Ri`l, Dhakwan and Usayyah, and those who were standing behind him said: Amen. (At-Tirmidhi)
How to Perform Qunut An-Nazilah in Prayer
This form of Qunut differs from the regular Qunut recited in Witr prayer and is specifically invoked during crises, asking for Allahโs help, mercy, and protection. Scholars recommend that it be recited collectively in congregational prayers, especially in Fajr prayer, though it can also be recited in other obligatory prayers.
Formula of Qunut An-Nazilhah
It was narrated that โUmar prayed Qunut with the following words:
โAllahumma inna nastaโinuka wa numinu bika, wa natawakkalu โalayka wa nuthni โalayka al-khayr, wa la nakfuruka. Allahumma iyyaaka naโbudu wa laka nusalli wa nasjudu, wa ilayka nasโa wa nahfid. Narju rahmataka wa nakhsha โadhabaka, inna โadhabaka al-jadd bil kuffari mulhaq. Allahumma โadhdhib il-kafarata ahl al-kitab alladhina yasudduna โan sabilika
(O Allah, verily we seek Your help, we believe in You, we put our trust in You and we praise You and we are not ungrateful to You. O Allah, You alone we worship and to You we pray and prostrate, for Your sake we strive. We hope for Your mercy and fear Your punishment, for Your punishment will certainly reach the disbelievers. O Allah, punish the infidels of the People of the Book who are preventing others from following Your way).โ (Narrated by Al-Bayhaqi, 2/210; classed as authentic by Al-Albani in Al-Irwa, 2/170)
More detailed explanations are found in the fatwas below:
- La Hawla Wa La Quwwata Illa Billah: A Treasure from Jannah
- Benefits of SubhanAllah wa Bihamdihi
- Earn 1000 Hasanah Each Day with One Word
- Saying a Certian Dhikr During the Adhan: Permissible?
- Can I Do Dhikr on My Period?
- Can We Use Prayer Beads While Making Dhikr? (Video)
- 3 Forms of Dhikr That Will Benefit You Through Thick and Thin
Almighty Allah knows best.
