يَا عَلِيمُ يَا حَلِيمُ يَا ذَا الْقُوَّةِ الْمَتِينُ اغْفِرْ لِي
O Knower, O Forbearing One, O Possessor of Power, O Steadfast One, forgive me.
Yā 'Alīmu Yā Ḥalīmu Yā Dhā al-Qūwah al-Matīn, ighfir lī
When to Read
This powerful supplication is recommended to be recited in the evening, after the Asr prayer and before sunset. It's a beautiful way to conclude the day by acknowledging Allah's perfect attributes and seeking His forgiveness. Imagine yourself sitting in a quiet place as the day draws to a close, reflecting on the Creator and calling upon Him.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincerity and presence of heart. Focus on the meaning of each of Allah's names as you call upon Him: 'Alim' (The All-Knowing), 'Halim' (The Forbearing), 'Dha al-Qūwah' (The Possessor of Power), and 'Al-Matīn' (The Steadfast). Follow this by asking for His forgiveness, 'ighfir lī'. It's a personal and direct address to our Lord.
Virtues & Benefits
Reciting this dua acknowledges Allah's perfect attributes, demonstrating our awareness of His might, knowledge, patience, and steadfastness. By calling upon Him with these names and then seeking forgiveness, we are actively engaging in *dhikr* (remembrance of Allah) and *istighfar* (seeking forgiveness), both of which are highly virtuous acts. This practice helps to purify the heart and brings us closer to our Creator, especially as we transition from the day's activities to the rest of the evening. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught this dua to his daughter Fatimah (may Allah be pleased with her) when she asked him for something to say in the morning and evening, highlighting its importance for daily spiritual well-being.
Source & Authentication
Narrated by Ali (may Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ came to me and Fatimah (may Allah be pleased with her) one night and asked: 'Will you not pray?' I said: 'O Messenger of Allah! Our souls are in the hands of Allah. If He wills to wake us, we will wake.' Then he turned away and went out to his house and spent the night. Then he came back to us. He said: 'O Ali, O Fatimah! Will you not pray?' I said: 'O Messenger of Allah! Our souls are in the hands of Allah. If He wills to wake us, we will wake.' Ali said: 'Then he (the Prophet ﷺ) said: 'O 'Ali, O Fatimah! 'Verily, in the passing of the night and the day, and in all things created in the heavens and the earth, there are indeed signs for people who have *taqwa*' (fear of Allah) (Surah Yunus 10:6). Then he recited the end of the Surah until he reached the verse: 'Say: O 'Ibadī (my slaves) who have transgressed against themselves (by committing sin and disbelief)! Do not despair of the Mercy of Allah, and certainly, none can forgive the sins except Allah, and do not insist on that which you practiced, the while they know it.' (Surah Az-Zumar 39:53). Then he said: 'You should say: > **Arabic:** يَا عَلِيمُ يَا حَلِيمُ يَا ذَا الْقُوَّةِ الْمَتِينُ اغْفِرْ لِي > **Translation:** 'O Knower, O Forbearing One, O Possessor of Power, O Steadfast One, forgive me.' Ali said: 'So he said it to me and Fatimah, and we recited it. And when we recited it, he said: 'Indeed, Allah will not punish you for it, and he will not say: 'I have not forgiven you.' (Reported by Al-Tirmidhi in Sunan Al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 3375, and Abu Dawud in Sunan Abi Dawud, Hadith 5042, and Ibn Majah in Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith 3865. Al-Tirmidhi said it is a *gharib* hadith. Scholars like Al-Albani have classified it as *Hasan*.)