لَّا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا أَنتَ سُبْحَانَكَ إِنِّي كُنتُ مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ
There is no god but You; glory be to You! Indeed, I have been among the wrongdoers.
La ilaha illa Anta, Subhanaka, inni kuntu minadh-dhalimin
When to Read
This powerful dua is especially recommended to be recited after completing your obligatory prayers (Fardh). It is a supplication that emerged from the deepest distress of Prophet Yunus (peace be upon him) when he was swallowed by the whale. Reciting it after prayer acknowledges our own shortcomings and seeks Allah's immediate mercy when we are in our most receptive state of worship.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincere conviction, acknowledging your dependence on Allah alone. Understand the profound humility and repentance embedded in the words. It is best recited once, or multiple times if you feel a particular need or connection to its meaning after your prayer. Imagine yourself in the dark belly of the whale, calling out to Allah with absolute certainty that only He can answer.
Virtues & Benefits
The Quran itself states the immense power of this dua: 'And Dhul-Nun [Jonas] when he went off in anger, having presumed that We would not exert him. Then he cried out in the darkness, 'There is no god but You; glory be to You! Indeed, I have been among the wrongdoers.' So We responded to him and saved him from distress. And thus do We save the believers.' (Al-Anbiya 21:87-88). The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ also said, 'The supplication of Dhul-Nun (Jonah) when he called out to his Lord from the belly of the whale was: [the dua mentioned above]. If any Muslim says this in response to a calamity or while seeking forgiveness, Allah will accept his supplication.' (Reported by At-Tirmidhi, classified as Hasan). This implies that it is a means of relief from hardship and a powerful tool for seeking forgiveness.
Source & Authentication
Narrated by Sa'id bin Abi Sa'id Al-Maqburi, from his father, from Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him), that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: 'The supplication of Dhul-Nun (Jonah) when he called out to his Lord from the belly of the whale was: 'La ilaha illa Anta, Subhanaka, inni kuntu minadh-dhalimin' ('There is no god but You; glory be to You! Indeed, I have been among the wrongdoers.'). So indeed Allah said: 'We responded to him and saved him from distress. And thus do We save the believers.' (At-Tirmidhi 3505).