اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي ذَنْبِي كُلَّهُ، دِقَّهُ وَجِلَّهُ، أَوَّلَهُ وَآخِرَهُ، عَلَانِيَتَهُ وَسِرَّهُ، اللَّهُمَّ أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ عِلْمٍ لَا يَنْفَعُ، وَمِنْ قَلْبٍ لَا يَخْشَعُ، وَمِنْ نَفْسٍ لَا تَشْبَعُ، وَمِنْ دُعَاءٍ لَا يُسْمَعُ. اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ الْهُدَى وَالتُّقَى وَالْعَفَافَ وَالْغِنَى.
O Allah, forgive me my every sin, the minor and the major, the first and the last, the apparent and the hidden. O Allah, I seek refuge in You from knowledge that does not benefit, from a heart that does not fear You, from a soul that is not satisfied, and from a prayer that is not answered. O Allah, I ask You for guidance, piety, chastity, and contentment.
Allahumma-ghfirli dhanbi kullahu, diqqahu wa jillahu, awwalahu wa akhirahu, 'alaniyatihi wa sirrahu. Allahumma a'udhu bika min 'ilmin la yanfa', wa min qalbin la yashcha', wa min nafsil la tashba', wa min du'a'in la yusma'. Allahumma inni as'alukal huda wat-tuqa wal-'afafa wal-ghina.
When to Read
This comprehensive dua is excellent to recite when you feel the anxieties of aging creeping in. It's a beautiful way to seek Allah's forgiveness for past shortcomings, ask for protection against spiritual decline, and request essential qualities that will guide you through every stage of life, including old age. You can make it a regular part of your morning or evening remembrance (dhikr) or recite it specifically when you find yourself dwelling on the physical and mental changes that come with age.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincerity and presence of heart. Imagine yourself presenting your deepest needs and fears to Allah. Raise your hands as you begin, a sign of supplication and reliance. Feel the weight of each phrase, especially the requests for protection and the ultimate desires for guidance and contentment. Repeat it consistently, especially when the thoughts of aging begin to surface.
Virtues & Benefits
This dua offers multifaceted benefits: it seeks comprehensive forgiveness, provides refuge from spiritually detrimental states (useless knowledge, unfeeling heart, insatiable desires, unanswered prayers), and asks for the foundational spiritual qualities necessary for a righteous life and a peaceful end. By asking for guidance (huda), piety (tuqa), chastity ('afaf), and contentment (ghina), you are essentially asking Allah to equip you with the inner strength and spiritual fortitude needed to face the natural process of aging with dignity and submission, rather than fear.
Source & Authentication
It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to seek refuge in Allah from four things, and he would say: 'Allahumma-ghfirli dhanbi kullahu, diqqahu wa jillahu, awwalahu wa akhirahu, 'alaniyatihi wa sirrahu. Allahumma a'udhu bika min 'ilmin la yanfa', wa min qalbin la yashcha', wa min nafsil la tashba', wa min du'a'in la yusma'. Allahumma inni as'alukal huda wat-tuqa wal-'afafa wal-ghina.' (O Allah, forgive me my every sin, the minor and the major, the first and the last, the apparent and the hidden. O Allah, I seek refuge in You from knowledge that does not benefit, from a heart that does not fear You, from a soul that is not satisfied, and from a prayer that is not answered. O Allah, I ask You for guidance, piety, chastity, and contentment.)