The Supplication of Calamity (Qunut al-Nazila)

In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful and Compassionate

The Supplication of Calamity (Qunut al-Nazila)  

What is the supplication of calamity (qunut al-nazila)? 

When a general calamity (such as what is happening in Iraq and other places in the Muslim world) befalls the Muslims, it is recommended in the Shafi’i school to supplicate to Allah during all 5 obligatory prayers, asking him to give relief to the Muslims by lifting the calamity.  

How is it done? 

After rising up from bowing (ruku’) in the final rakâ’ah of the obligatory prayer, one lifts one’s hands and does the supplication (qunut) of the Fajr prayer (allaahumma’h-dinaa fee man hadayt etc.) and then follows this by asking Allah to raise the specific calamity that one is supplicating for.  One can say, for example:  

allaahumma’nSur al-muslimeen wa’H-faDH ikhwaanana fi’l-‘iraaq 

meaning, `O Allah! Give victory to the Muslims and protect our brothers in Iraq. 

Another good supplication to make at this time is the supplication of the great friend of Allah, Sayyidi Ma’ruf al-Karkhi (Allah be pleased with him and benefit us through him), who used say,  

allaahumma aSliH ummata Muhammad, allaahumma farrij ‘an ummati Muhammad, allaahumma’rHam ummata Muhammad  

meaning, `O Allah!  Rectify the ummah of Muhammad.  O Allah!  Give relief to the ummah of Muhammad.  O Allah!  Have mercy on the ummah of Muhammad.  

What about silent prayers?

The supplication of calamity is done in both silent prayers (Zuhr and `Asr) and loud prayers (Fajr, Maghrib, `Isha).  The supplication is done out loud even in silent prayers.  The place for the supplication is always in the final rakâ`ah after coming up from bowing (ruku`).  

Does it matter if I’m praying in a group or alone? 

No, it doesn’t.  The supplication of calamity is recommended during the 5 obligatory prayers regardless of whether they are prayed alone or in a group.  

If I miss it, do I have to perform a forgetfulness prostration?

No.  Although it is recommended, the supplication of calamity is not a main sunna whose omission calls for a forgetfulness prostration. 

Can I perform this supplication during non-obligatory prayers?

It is not recommended to perform the supplication of calamity in prayers other than the 5 obligatory prayers, although it is not offensive either (except for the funeral prayer).  

(source: Tuhfat al-Muhtaj + Hashiyat ‘Abd al-Hamid, 2.69, 2.170)  

And Allah knows best.  

Hamza.