سُبْحَانَكَ اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّنَا وَبِحَمْدِكَ، اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي
Glory be to You, O Allah, our Lord, and praise be to You. O Allah, forgive me.
Subhanakallahumma Rabbana wa bihamdik, Allahummaghfir li
When to Read
This dua is specifically recommended to be recited in the state of prostration (sujood) during prayer. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ would often say this or similar supplications when he prostrated, seeking forgiveness from Allah.
How to Read
Recite this supplication while in the physical posture of prostration during your obligatory or voluntary prayers. It is a moment of closeness to Allah, where you are physically humbled and therefore in a prime position to seek His mercy and forgiveness. Ensure you are in a state of purity (wudu) as required for prayer.
Virtues & Benefits
Prostration is a position of utmost humility and submission to Allah. The Prophet ﷺ taught us to increase our supplications in this state. Seeking forgiveness in sujood is particularly potent because it is a moment when the servant is closest to his Lord. The Quran mentions Allah's response to those who seek His forgiveness: 'And whoever does evil or wrongs himself, then seeks Allah's forgiveness, he will find Allah Forgiving and Merciful' (An-Nisa 4:110). Making dua in prostration is a direct application of the verse encouraging us to 'prostrate and draw near' (Al-'Alaq 96:19).
Source & Authentication
‘A’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported: I lost the Messenger of Allah ﷺ one night and found him in prostration in the Masjid, and his feet were raised (or he said: he was lying down in the Masjid). He said: 'Are you in the state of menstruation?' I said: 'What is the matter with you?' He said: 'Subhanakallahumma wa bihamdik, Allahummaghfir li.' (Glory be to You, O Allah, and praise be to You. O Allah, forgive me.) He performed the same in the Ruku' (bowing) and said: 'Subhanaka Rabbil-'Adheem' (Glory be to my Lord, the Most Great) and in prostration he said: 'Subhanaka Rabbil-A'la' (Glory be to my Lord, the Most High).' (Sahih Muslim 499 - This version is from Sahih Muslim for the general practice, while the specific wording for Istighfar in sujood is established in Bukhari 6306 in a similar context of seeking forgiveness in prostration during night prayer).