Is It Permissible to Make Dua in English During Witr Prayer at Home?
Question
Salam Sheikh,
Can we make dua in english if we’re praying witr at home?
Answer
Alhamdulillah, wassalatu wassalamu ala rasulillah, wa ala alihi wa sahbihi ajmain.
1. The Shari Context
The Witr prayer is a highly emphasized prayer that concludes the night prayers. One of its known practices is the dua of qunut, which is a supplication made while standing in the prayer.
The Prophet taught the dua of qunut to his companions. Al Hasan ibn Ali reported:
“The Messenger of Allah taught me words to say in the qunut of Witr.”
Jami at Tirmidhi
This shows that making dua within the Witr prayer is a legislated practice. However, the juristic question is whether supplication within the prayer must be in Arabic or whether it can be made in another language when a person does not know Arabic.
2. Scholarly Discussion
The scholars discussed the language of supplication inside the prayer.
The Hanafi school generally requires that supplications within the prayer be in Arabic when the person is capable of it. If a person does not know Arabic and cannot make the supplication otherwise, they allow it temporarily until the person learns.
The Maliki, Shafii, and Hanbali scholars generally allow supplication in another language for a person who cannot express the supplication in Arabic, especially when the supplication is not a required Quranic recitation but rather a personal dua. They also emphasize that learning the prophetic supplications is preferable.
Many contemporary scholars note that for Muslims who are still learning Arabic, especially in non Arabic speaking environments, making dua in their own language can be permitted so that the heart remains present and the meaning understood.
3. Application to the Question
If you are praying Witr at home, you may make dua during the qunut.
If you know the authentic Arabic supplications, it is better to recite them as taught by the Prophet. This preserves the wording of the Sunnah.
However, if you do not know the Arabic supplication, or you wish to add personal requests to Allah, then making dua in English can be permitted according to many scholars, particularly in voluntary prayers such as Witr. The purpose of dua is to sincerely ask Allah, and expressing that need in a language you understand may help bring greater sincerity and focus.
Over time, it is recommended to learn the prophetic dua of qunut and recite it regularly while still being able to add personal supplications.
4. Relevant Usul Principle
المشقة تجلب التيسير
Hardship brings about facilitation
This principle means that when fulfilling a matter becomes difficult, the Sharia provides reasonable ease. For many Muslims who are still learning Arabic, making supplication only in Arabic may be difficult. Therefore, scholars allow supplication in another language when needed, especially in voluntary prayers, until the person becomes able to learn the prophetic supplications.
Final Ruling
It is permissible to make dua in English during the Witr prayer at home if you do not know the Arabic supplication or wish to ask Allah for personal matters. However, it is recommended to learn and recite the prophetic dua of qunut in Arabic, as that is the practice taught by the Prophet.
And Allah knows best.