Dua E Qunoot Shafi'i In English | Method, Timing & Rulings

Dua e Qunoot Shafi’i – Full Guide | Method, Timing & Rulings

In the Shafi’i school of thought, Dua e Qunoot is a highly encouraged supplication recited during the Fajr prayer every morning and in the Witr prayer during the second half of Ramadan. This guide covers everything you need to know: the authentic dua text, step-by-step method, rulings, what to do if you forget, and key differences from the Hanafi school.

Hadith Source: The Shafi’i Qunoot is narrated by Al-Hasan ibn Ali (RA) — Sunan Abu Dawud 1425, Jami’ at-Tirmidhi 464, and Sunan an-Nasa’i 1746. Graded sahih/hasan by Al-Albani.

Scholarly Reference: Imam Al-Nawawi, a leading Shafi’i scholar, emphasized the importance of Qunoot in Fajr as a Sunnah Mu’akkadah (emphasized Sunnah). According to the Shafi’i school, if Qunoot is omitted in Fajr, Sajdah Sahw (prostration of forgetfulness) is required.

Table of Contents

What Is Dua e Qunoot Shafi’i?
Full Dua – Arabic, Transliteration & Translation
How to Perform Shafi’i Qunoot (Step by Step)
When Is Qunoot Recited in Shafi’i?
What If You Forget Qunoot in Fajr?
Qunoot in Witr (Ramadan Only)
Shafi’i vs Hanafi Qunoot – Key Differences
Frequently Asked Questions
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What Is Dua e Qunoot Shafi’i?

Dua e Qunoot Shafi’i is the specific version of Qunoot recited in the Shafi’i school of jurisprudence. It is the supplication taught by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to his grandson, Hasan ibn Ali (RA), and begins with “Allahumma-hdini fiman hadayt” (اللَّهُمَّ اهْدِنِي فِيمَنْ هَدَيْتَ).

Unlike the Hanafi school where Qunoot is primarily for Witr, the Shafi’i school emphasizes Qunoot in the Fajr prayer as a daily practice, and in Witr during Ramadan (second half).

Key Point: The Shafi’i Qunoot is not just a ritual — it is a comprehensive plea for guidance, well-being, protection, and blessings, starting the day with complete reliance on Allah.

Full Dua – Arabic, Transliteration & Translation

Arabic Text

اللَّهُمَّ اهْدِنِي فِيمَنْ هَدَيْتَ، وَعَافِنِي فِيمَنْ عَافَيْتَ، وَتَوَلَّني فِيمَنْ تَوَلَّيْتَ، وَبَارِكْ لِي فِيمَا أَعْطَيْتَ، وَقِنِي شَرَّ مَا قَضَيْتَ، فَإِنَّكَ تَقْضِي وَلَا يُقْضَى عَلَيْكَ، وَإِنَّهُ لَا يَذِلُّ مَنْ وَالَيْتَ، وَلَا يَعِزُّ مَنْ عَادَيْتَ، تَبَارَكْتَ رَبَّنَا وَتَعَالَيْتَ

Roman English Transliteration

Allahumma-hdini fiman hadayt, wa ‘afini fiman ‘afayt, wa tawallani fiman tawallayt, wa barik li fima a’tayt, wa qini sharra ma qadayt, fa-innaka taqdi wala yuqda ‘alayk, wa innahu la yadhillu man walayt, wala ya’izzu man ‘adayt, tabarakta Rabbana wa ta’alayt.

English Translation

“O Allah, guide me among those whom You have guided, and grant me safety among those whom You have granted safety. Take me into Your charge among those whom You have taken into Your charge, and bless me in what You have given me. Protect me from the evil that You have decreed, for You decree and none decrees over You. Verily, he is not humiliated whom You have befriended, and he is not honored whom You are at enmity with. Blessed are You, our Lord, and Exalted.”

How to Perform Shafi’i Qunoot (Step by Step)

Follow these steps to perform Qunoot correctly in the Shafi’i school:

Complete the second rak’ah of Fajr prayer up to the point after Ruku.
Stand up straight after Ruku and say: “Sami’Allahu liman hamidah, Rabbana lakal hamd” (Allah hears those who praise Him; our Lord, all praise is for You).
Raise your hands to chest level, palms facing upward (as in a regular supplication).
Recite the Dua e Qunoot (the Arabic text above) clearly.
At the end, recite Salawat/Durood — e.g., “Allahumma salli ‘ala Muhammad” (O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad).
Without saying “Allahu Akbar” or raising your hands again, go directly into Sajdah (prostration).

Important: Unlike the Hanafi school, the Shafi’i Qunoot is recited after Ruku, not before. The hands are raised during the recitation.

When Is Qunoot Recited in Shafi’i?

Prayer	When Recited	Frequency
Fajr	In the second rak’ah, after Ruku	Every day – Sunnah Mu’akkadah
Witr	In the last rak’ah, after Ruku	Second half of Ramadan only

The Shafi’i school emphasizes Qunoot in Fajr as a daily practice to start the day seeking Allah’s guidance and well-being. In Witr, it is reserved for the blessed nights of Ramadan.

What If You Forget Qunoot in Fajr?

According to the Shafi’i school:

If you forget Qunoot in Fajr, you should perform Sajdah Sahw (two extra prostrations) before the final Salam.
This is because Qunoot is considered Sunnah Mu’akkadah — an emphasized Sunnah — and its omission requires the prostration of forgetfulness.
If you forget Qunoot in Witr (during Ramadan), the same ruling applies.

Tip: If you are praying behind a Hanafi Imam, you can perform a short Qunoot when the Imam stands up after Ruku, or simply follow the Imam without adding Qunoot.

Qunoot in Witr – Ramadan Only

In the Shafi’i school, Qunoot in Witr is not a daily practice throughout the year. It is specifically recited during the second half of Ramadan (from the 15th night onwards).

In the last rak’ah of Witr, after rising from Ruku, the same dua (Allahumma-hdini) is recited. The method is identical to the Fajr Qunoot.

Shafi’i vs Hanafi Qunoot – Key Differences

Feature	Shafi’i Qunoot	Hanafi Qunoot
Dua Text	“Allahumma-hdini fiman hadayt”	“Allahumma inna nasta’inuka”
When Recited	Fajr (daily), Witr (Ramadan 2nd half)	Witr (every night)
Position	After Ruku	Before Ruku
Ruling	Sunnah Mu’akkadah	Wajib
Hands	Raised to chest level	Folded below navel
Forgetfulness	Sajdah Sahw required	Sajdah Sahw required

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Qunoot recited in Fajr in the Shafi’i school? It is a Sunnah Mu’akkadah (emphasized Sunnah) to start the day seeking Allah’s guidance, protection, and well-being.

Is Qunoot recited in every Fajr prayer? Yes, it is recited daily in the second rak’ah of Fajr. If omitted, Sajdah Sahw is required.

Is Qunoot recited in Witr throughout the year? No, only during the second half of Ramadan.

What if I forget Qunoot in Fajr? You should perform Sajdah Sahw (two extra prostrations) before the final Salam.

Can I recite the Hanafi version of Qunoot if I am Shafi’i? Yes, you can recite any authentic dua. However, the Shafi’i school specifically emphasizes the “Allahumma-hdini” version for its Qunoot.

What if I am praying behind a Hanafi Imam? You can perform a short Qunoot when the Imam stands up after Ruku, or simply follow the Imam without adding Qunoot.

Is Qunoot recited aloud or silently? In congregation, the Imam recites it aloud, and the followers say “Ameen.” If praying alone, you can recite it at a moderate volume or silently.

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English Dua e Qunoot Shafi’i | Translation, Meaning & Method