Recite Qunoot-e-Nazilah for Muslims Suffering Everywhere

Reciting Qunoot-e-Nazilah is an absolutely authentic practice. If a calamity (Nazilah) befalls the Muslims, it is prescribed to say Dua al-Qunoot after standing up from Rukoo in the last Rakah of each Salah, until Allah (swt) relieves the Muslims of that calamity.

In fact, this Sunnah is still practiced in many of the Arab countries.

With regard to saying Dua al-Qunoot in Fajr prayer all the time in all circumstances, there is no Saheeh report that the Prophet (sa) singled out for Fajr for reciting Dua al-Qunoot all the time or that he always recited in Fajr prayer.

Rather, what is proven is that the Prophet (sa) used to say Qunoot at times of calamity only, with words that were appropriate to the situations. This can be done in any of the five obligatory prayers.

It is proven that the Prophet (sa) used to say Qunoot at times of calamity, praying against the aggressors among the disbelievers and praying for the weak and oppressed Muslims to be saved from the plots and captivity of the Kafirs.

The Prophet (sa) offered supplication (Dua) at times of calamity on a number of occasions, and his supplication was appropriate to the calamity, for which he was praying Qunoot.

He (sa) prayed against some of the Arab tribes, who had betrayed 70 of the Sahabah and killed them – he prayed that they be cursed. It was narrated that Ibn Abbas said:

“The Messenger of Allah (sa) prayed Qunoot for a month in Zuhur, Asr, Maghrib, Isha and Fajr prayers, when he said “Sami’Allahu Liman Hamidah” in the last Rakah, praying against the last tribes of Banu Sulayman and against Ri’l, Dhakwan and Usayyah, and those, who were beside him, said “ameen”. (Abu Dawood)

According to a report narrated by Muslim, he said: “O Allah curse Banu Lihyan, Ri’l, Dhakwan and Usayyah, for they have disobeyed Allah and His Messenger.”

According to a report narrated by Bukhari (4070) from Ibn Umar (rtam), he (Ibn Umar) heard the Messenger of Allah (sa) say, when he lifted his head from bowing in the second Rakah of Fajr: “O Allah, curse so- and-so, and so-and-so, and so-and-so,” after he said “Sami’ Allahu Liman Hamidah, Rabbana Wa Laka’l Hamd.”

Rightly guided Khaleefahs after him followed the same practice. It is better for the Iman to limit Qunoot-e-Nazilah to times of calamity only.

Allah (swt) knows best.

What are the words of Qunoot-e-Nazilah?

The correct view, which is of majority of scholars, is that there are no specific words with regards to what is to be said in Qunoot-e-Nazilah. Rather, any Dua may be said, depending upon the situation and requirement.

When praying Qunoot at the time of calamity, one should make supplication, which is appropriate to the situation, as it was narrated that the Prophet (sa) cursed some Arab tribes, who had betrayed his companions and killed them, and he prayed for the weak and oppressed believers in Makkah that Allah (swt) would save them.

It was narrated that Umar (rtam) prayed Qunoot with the following words:

“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, and 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.”