رَبَّنَا لَا تُؤَاخِذْنَا إِن نَّسِينَا أَوْ أَخْطَأْنَا ۚ رَبَّنَا وَلَا تَحْمِلْ عَلَيْنَا إِصْرًا كَمَا حَمَلْتَهُ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِنَا ۚ رَبَّنَا وَلَا تُحَمِّلْنَا مَا لَا طَاقَةَ لَنَا بِهِ ۖ وَاعْفُ عَنَّا وَاغْفِرْ لَنَا وَارْحَمْنَا ۚ أَنتَ مَوْلَانَا فَانصُرْنَا عَلَى الْقَوْمِ الْكَافِرِينَ
Our Lord, do not impose blame upon us if we have forgotten or erred. Our Lord, and lighten not a burden upon us as You did lay it upon those before us. Our Lord, and charge us not with that to which we have no ability. And pardon us; and forgive us, and have mercy upon us. You are our protector, so give us victory over the disbelieving people.
Rabbana la tu'akhidhna in naseena aw akhta'na, Rabbana wa la tahmil 'alayna isran kama hamaltahu 'alal-ladheena min qablina, Rabbana wa la tuhammilna ma la taqata lana bih, wa'fu 'anna waghfir lana warhamna, Anta mawlana fansurna 'alal-qawmil-kafirin.
When to Read
This powerful ayah is often recited as a comprehensive dua. It is especially relevant to remember and recite when you feel you may have made a mistake or fallen short during your prayer, or at any point when seeking Allah's mercy and forgiveness for oversight or error. It can be a beautiful addition to your supplications after the prayer, or even during sujood (prostration) if the feeling of needing to ask for pardon arises.
How to Read
Recite this ayah with sincere intention and deep contemplation of its meaning. Understand that Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) has taught us these very words to ask for His forgiveness and protection. Speak them with humility and a hopeful heart, recognizing your dependence on His mercy. It's not just about reciting the words, but about embodying the plea for pardon and relief from burdens.
Virtues & Benefits
This ayah is a complete supplication taught by Allah Himself. It encompasses seeking forgiveness for forgetfulness and mistakes, asking for relief from heavy burdens that were placed on previous generations, and seeking strength and victory. It’s a comprehensive dua that covers our weaknesses and our need for divine support. Allah tells us in the verses preceding this one: 'Allah does not charge a soul except [with that within] its capacity. It will have [the consequence of] what [good] it has earned, and it will bear [the penalty of] what [evil] it has earned. [Reaching His mercy] – 'Our Lord, do not impose blame upon us if we have forgotten or erred.' ...' (Quran 2:286). This shows that these are the very words the righteous use when faced with their human limitations.