سُبْحَانَ اللهِ وَبِحَمْدِهِ، لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ، أَسْتَغْفِرُكَ وَأَتُوبُ إِلَيْكَ.
Glory be to Allah, and all praise is due to Him. There is no god but You. I seek Your forgiveness and turn to You in repentance.
Subhanallahi wa bihamdihi, la ilaha illa anta, astaghfiruka wa atubu ilayk.
When to Read
This dua is recited immediately after completing the *sunnah rawatib* prayers, which are the voluntary prayers performed before or after the obligatory (fard) prayers. It's a beautiful way to conclude your prayer, acknowledging any shortcomings and seeking Allah's acceptance.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincerity and presence of heart. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught this dua as a means of seeking forgiveness and acknowledging Allah's perfection. It's typically recited once, in a quiet and reflective manner, after finishing the salutations (tasleem) of your sunnah prayer.
Virtues & Benefits
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ mentioned that whoever recites this dua after performing Wudu (ablution) will have the spaces between their fingers and toes covered with it until the Day of Judgment, and it will be a light for them. While this specific hadith mentions Wudu, the essence of seeking Allah's glory, acknowledging His uniqueness, and repenting to Him is profoundly beneficial after any act of worship. It helps in purifying our prayers and seeking Allah's acceptance, acknowledging that even our best efforts may fall short. The repetition of glorifying Allah and seeking His forgiveness after completing a prayer reinforces humility and reliance on Him.
Source & Authentication
Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said: The Prophet ﷺ never prayed any voluntary prayer after ‘Asr prayer until he prayed them, nor after the Fajr prayer, nor after the Dhuhr prayer. Then he ordered us to pray two rak'ahs after the Dhuhr prayer, and two rak'ahs after the Maghrib prayer, and two rak'ahs after the ‘Isha prayer. And he ordered us to pray two rak'ahs after the Fajr prayer, which were prayed at the time of descent, and he said: "The two rak'ahs of Fajr are better than the world and whatever is in it." Then the Prophet ﷺ said: "Whatever servant says, when he finishes his Wudu: 'Glory be to Allah, and all praise is due to Him. There is no god but You. I seek Your forgiveness and turn to You in repentance,' it will be written on a parchment, and sealed with a seal, and it will not be broken until the Day of Resurrection." [Sunan Abi Dawud 4258, Sunan An-Nasa'i 2337]