اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِلْمُسْلِمِينَ وَالْمُسْلِمَاتِ، وَالْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتِ، اَلْأَحْيَاءِ مِنْهُمْ وَالْأَمْوَاتِ
O Allah, forgive the Muslim men and Muslim women, and the believing men and believing women, those who are alive among them and those who are dead.
Allahumma-ghfir lil-muslimeena wal-muslimaati, wal-mu'mineena wal-mu'minaati, al-ahyaa'i minhum wal-amwaat
When to Read
This powerful dua is ideally recited during the final sitting of the prayer (Tashahhud), just before giving the Salam. It's a perfect moment to make a broad supplication for the entire Ummah, encompassing both the living and the deceased.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincerity and a hopeful heart. Imagine yourself making a heartfelt plea to Allah. As with all duas, raising your hands slightly can be part of the etiquette, though during Tashahhud, your hands would naturally be in your lap. The key is the intention and the heartfelt articulation.
Virtues & Benefits
Making this comprehensive dua offers immense blessings. By asking for forgiveness for all believers, living and dead, you are embodying the spirit of brotherhood and sisterhood in Islam. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught us this as a way to extend our concern beyond ourselves, reflecting a deep sense of community. This type of general supplication is highly regarded, as it benefits many and earns great reward.
Source & Authentication
It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: "When one of you finishes his prayer, let him seek refuge in Allah from four things, saying: 'O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the punishment of Hell, and I seek refuge in You from the punishment of the grave, and I seek refuge in You from the trials of the Dajjal, and I seek refuge in You from the trials of life and death.' Then, when one of you has done that, let him supplicate for himself and for the Muslims who are with him." (Other narrations of this hadith mention supplication for Muslims). A version narrated by Abu Dawud states: 'When one of you finishes prayer, and he is about to say Salam, let him say: Allahumma-ghfir lee maa qaddamtu wa maa akhkhartu, wa maa asrartu wa maa a'lantu, maa anta a'lamu bihi minnee. Allahumma A'mini min 'adhabi yawmi 'idhatika 'adhabaka al- qabr. Allahumma inni as'alukal-jannata wa a'udhu bika minan-nar. (O Allah forgive my past and future sins, what I have concealed and what I have done openly, and what You know best about me. O Allah, save me from Your punishment on the Day You resurrect Your slaves. O Allah I ask You for Paradise and seek refuge in You from the Fire.) And then he supplicated for himself and for the Muslims. Another narration states: 'O Allah, forgive the Muslim men and Muslim women, and the believing men and believing women, the living among them and the dead.' - Sunan Abi Dawud 924