In our daily lives, we go through many difficulties and turbulences. Facing these difficulties daily becomes a part of a routine. Until it all starts to get overwhelming: it’s when we, Muslims, turn to other sources for help.
When we are willing to seek guidance and look for a ray of light in our miserable lives, we turn to our God. Allah SWT has blessed us with supplication and prayers to connect to Him. And one such dua is Dua e Qunoot. Today, we will learn more about how much of a blessing this supplication is for us.
What is Dua-e-Qunoot?
اللّهُـمَّ اهْـدِنـي فـيمَنْ هَـدَيْـت، وَعـافِنـي فـيمَنْ عافَـيْت، وَتَوَلَّـني فـيمَنْ تَوَلَّـيْت، وَبارِكْ لـي فـيما أَعْطَـيْت، وَقِـني شَرَّ ما قَضَـيْت، فَإِنَّـكَ تَقْـضي وَلا يُقْـضى عَلَـيْك ، إِنَّـهُ لا يَـذِلُّ مَنْ والَـيْت، [ وَلا يَعِـزُّ مَن عـادَيْت ]، تَبـارَكْـتَ رَبَّـنا وَتَعـالَـيْت (Sunan Abi Dawud 1425)
A special supplication we recite in Isha prayer’s last Rakat. It is a powerful supplication that has a profound effect. We recite dua e qunoot to seek Allah’s guidance, protection, and blessings for ourselves and our loved ones.
The literal meaning of Qunoot is being obedient or standing; we also recite this dua while standing during the prayers. It is an opportunity for us Muslims to connect with our Creator on a deeper level. And because of its significance, it has a prolonged historical context.
Our Prophet (PBUH) and his followers recited this dua for various reasons. There is also a narration that our Prophet taught these words to his grandson, al-Hasan bin Ali. One recites to seek forgiveness and ease our hardships. In the Quran, Allah says;
”When My servants ask you, O Prophet, about Me: I am truly near. I respond to one’s prayer when they call upon Me. So let them respond with obedience to Me and believe in Me; perhaps they will be guided to the Right Way.” (2:186)
This verse helps us understand that Allah wants us to turn to Him in times of difficulty. He wants us to ask Him to ease our hardships and seek refuge from evil. Thus, Muslims raise their hands and recite this supplication to devote ourselves to our Creator and seek mercy.
This dua can be made independently or in a congregation. The imam may extend this dua by adding requests for; health, guidance, freedom from debts, peace, and blessings. We have seen this dua extending more in the last ten days of the Holy month of Ramadan. I mean, is it not the desire of every caller to make his dua on Laylatul Qadar for a guaranteed manifestation?
Benefits of Dua e Qunoot
Apart from the many benefits of reciting this powerful dua, one most prominent benefit is closeness to Allah. It is a way to strengthen our faith and makes the belief strong that we can only rely on Allah SWT.
Although Allah knows what we need without asking, He likes when we plead with him. It all comes down to our faith and how much we trust Allah to stay with us. Indeed, Allah has said many times that he will never reject our prayers and leave us alone. Nonetheless, we can only wish to be included as the righteous servants of Allah SWT and receive his love and blessings.
Maintaining Our Connection with Allah
If we understand the meaning of Dua e Qunoot, we can see that it means asking for guidance and blessings. It is us Muslims acknowledging that it is only Allah SWT that can help us and save us from humiliation.
This acknowledgment is a way of strengthening our bond with God. We are actively communicating with Allah and devoting ourselves to His wisdom. This act of reliance strengthens our faith.
As a Muslim, it is safe to say that Dua e Qunoot is an opportunity for us to establish a profound bond with Allah. Raising our hand and simply pleading with the Almighty for help, forgiveness, and guidance is divine. Not to forget that it leaves us with a sense of reassurance that you have discussed your matters with Allah, and He will surely respond to you.
Seeking Protection and Mercy
As said before, we face several difficulties and hardships in our lives. And when it gets overwhelming, we know that only Allah can help us with these problems. Reciting dua e Qunoot in such times means seeking protection from harm and asking Allah to guide us to make the right decision in these hardships.
Life has uncertainties, but we can be sure that asking Allah for help can never go wrong. Through this dua, we seek refuge in the Almighty and rely on Him to grant us protection and relief during these testing times.
Praying for Ourselves and Others
Dua e Qunoot is a way of fostering empathy and compassion. You ask me why? When we recite this dua, we ask for the betterment of ourselves, our families, and our friends. It helps us to be mindful of our community and encourages unity.
Praying in congregation is an essential aspect of Islamic prayers. With Dua e Qunoot in congregational prayers and everyone sharing a united supplication for blessings: it creates an atmosphere of solidarity. Safe to say that Dua e Qunoot helps us create harmony and a spirit of supporting and showing empathy towards one another.
Finding Peace and Tranquillity
This world is fast-paced and often leaves us feeling overwhelmed and anxious. Turning to Allah and seeking His support gives us a sense of reassurance. Dua e Qunoot means leaving our worries to Allah and reminding ourselves that He is in control. It leaves no doubt that this reminder leaves us with a sense of tranquillity and comfort.
As Muslims, connecting to Allah during stress provides us a spiritual comfort. It soothes our hearts and minds that He cares for us, and we can always turn to Him for guidance. This inner soothing helps us defog our minds, so we can better face these challenges with patience.
Cultivating Humility and Gratitude
In Surah Al Furqan, Allah says;
“The ‘true’ servants of the Most Compassionate are those who walk on the earth humbly, and when the foolish address them ‘improperly’, they only respond with peace.” (25:63)
It is enough to understand that Allah wants us to be mindful of each other and show humbleness. And if we look closely, reciting Dua e Qunoot and acknowledging our dependence on Allah humbles us. It reminds us that we are no greater than our fellow beings.
We rely on God as much as they do and turn to Him for ease as they do. This thought of vulnerability introduces gratitude within us. The view that we have limitations and that this success and accomplishments are because of Allah’s benevolence only humbles us. It makes us show gratitude for His blessings.
Conclusion
Dua e Qunoot is a way of showing our absolute faith and trust in His wisdom. Regularly reciting this dua gives us strength, resilience, and patience to face life. It reminds us that Allah is the only source of guidance and encourages us to overcome misfortunes.
It is a spiritually enriching and soothing supplication having numerous benefits if recited with sincerity and devotion. It strengthens our bond with Allah, eases our anxieties, and provides comfort.
It holds a significant place in the lives of Muslims across the globe. From seeking protection to fostering humility, it is the ultimate dua to a righteous life. Thus, let’s embrace this beautiful supplication to enrich our lives with countless blessings and get close to the Almighty.
Let us embrace the profound teachings of Islam and strive to make Dua-e-Qunoot an integral part of our lives, so we may experience His countless blessings and bring us closer to the Almighty.
