اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ رَبِّي لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ أَنْتَ، خَلَقْتَنِي وَأَنَا عَبْدُكَ، وَأَنَا عَلَى عَهْدِكَ وَوَعْدِكَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُ، أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا صَنَعْتُ، أَبُوءُ لَكَ بِنِعْمَتِكَ عَلَىَّ وَأَبُوءُ لَكَ بِذَنْبِي، فَاغْفِرْ لِي فَإِنَّهُ لاَ يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلاَّ أَنْتَ
O Allah, You are my Lord. None has the right to be worshipped except You. You created me and I am Your slave, and I am faithful to my covenant and my promise [to You] as much as I can. I seek refuge with You from all the evil I have done. I acknowledge before You all the blessings You have bestowed upon me, and I confess to You all my sins. So forgive me, for nobody can forgive sins except You.
Allahumma anta Rabbi la ilaha illa Anta, khalaqtani wa ana 'abduka, wa ana 'ala 'ahdika wa wa'dika mastata'tu. A'udhu bika min sharri ma sana'tu, aboo'u laka bi ni'matika 'alayya, wa aboo'u laka bi dhanbi faghfir li fa innahu la yaghfirudh-dhunuba illa Anta.
When to Read
When we find ourselves burdened by the weight of our mistakes, feeling like our sins are too numerous or too grave to be forgiven, this is the dua that can lift that heavy veil of despair. The Prophet ﷺ taught us to recite it particularly in the morning and evening, making it a daily shield and a continuous act of seeking Allah's mercy. But beyond these specific times, it is profoundly relevant whenever you feel overwhelmed by regret, when you've stumbled and fallen, or when the whisper of Shaytan tries to convince you that your sins are beyond redemption. Recite it with sincerity, acknowledging your shortcomings and Allah's boundless capacity for forgiveness, no matter how great your transgression.
How to Read
Reciting Sayyid al-Istighfar is more than just uttering words; it's a deep conversation with your Creator. Start by clearing your mind and heart, focusing on the meaning of each phrase. Reflect on Allah as your Lord, your Creator, and the One Who sustains you. Acknowledge your servant-hood and the covenant you have with Him. When you confess your sins, let it be with genuine remorse and a firm intention to avoid them in the future. Simultaneously, feel gratitude for the blessings Allah has bestowed upon you. The essence of this dua is **Tawbah (repentance)**—a sincere return to Allah, coupled with the profound conviction that only He can forgive sins. Let this conviction permeate your heart, transforming despair into hope.
Virtues & Benefits
The Prophet ﷺ himself called this supplication **'Sayyid al-Istighfar' (The Master of Seeking Forgiveness)**. Its immense virtues are clearly outlined in the hadith: if you recite it during the day with firm faith and die before evening, you will be among the people of Paradise. Similarly, if you recite it at night with firm faith and die before morning, you will be among the people of Paradise. (Sahih al-Bukhari 6306). This isn't just about gaining reward; it's about a complete spiritual renewal. For someone feeling the heavy burden of sin and teetering on the edge of despair, this dua is a direct pathway back to Allah's infinite mercy. It strengthens your **Tawakkul (reliance on Allah)**, reminds you of His boundless attributes of forgiveness (Al-Ghaffar, Al-Ghafur), and replaces the suffocating feeling of guilt with the expansive hope of His pardon. It affirms that no sin is too great for Allah to forgive, as long as you turn to Him with sincerity.
Source & Authentication
Shaddad ibn Aws (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet ﷺ said: "The most superior way of asking for forgiveness is: > **Arabic:** اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ رَبِّي لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ أَنْتَ، خَلَقْتَنِي وَأَنَا عَبْدُكَ، وَأَنَا عَلَى عَهْدِكَ وَوَعْدِكَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُ، أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا صَنَعْتُ، أَبُوءُ لَكَ بِنِعْمَتِكَ عَلَىَّ وَأَبُوءُ لَكَ بِذَنْبِي، فَاغْفِرْ لِي فَإِنَّهُ لاَ يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلاَّ أَنْتَ > > **Translation:** 'O Allah, You are my Lord. None has the right to be worshipped except You. You created me and I am Your slave, and I am faithful to my covenant and my promise [to You] as much as I can. I seek refuge with You from all the evil I have done. I acknowledge before You all the blessings You have bestowed upon me, and I confess to You all my sins. So forgive me, for nobody can forgive sins except You.' He ﷺ added, "If somebody recites it during the day with firm faith in it, and dies on the same day before evening, he will be among the people of Paradise; and if somebody recites it at night with firm faith in it, and dies before morning, he will be among the people of Paradise." — Sahih al-Bukhari 6306