اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي مَا قَدَّمْتُ وَمَا أَخَّرْتُ، وَمَا أَسْرَرْتُ وَمَا أَعْلَنْتُ، وَمَا أَسْرَفْتُ، وَمَا أَنْتَ أَعْلَمُ بِهِ مِنِّي، أَنْتَ الْمُقَدِّمُ وَأَنْتَ الْمُؤَخِّرُ، لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ أَنْتَ.
O Allah, forgive me for what I have sent forth and what I have delayed, for what I have concealed and what I have declared, for what I have exceeded in, and what You know better than I. You are the One Who brings forth and You are the One Who delays. There is no god but You.
Allahumma-ghfirli ma qaddamtu wa ma akhkhartu, wa ma asrartu wa ma a'lantu, wa ma asraftu, wa ma anta a'lamu bihi minni, Antal-muqaddimu wa Antal-mu'akhkhiru, la ilaha illa Anta.
When to Read
This comprehensive dua is suitable for recitation at any time, but it is particularly poignant to say it during the blessed times of Qiyam al-Layl (night prayer) or after completing a Fard (obligatory) prayer. Reflecting on our actions and intentions throughout the day and night makes this an essential supplication.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincerity and deep reflection. Understand that 'what I have sent forth' refers to past sins and 'what I have delayed' refers to future sins or the consequences of present sins. 'What I have concealed' refers to sins done in private, and 'what I have declared' refers to sins done openly. 'What I have exceeded in' refers to transgressions beyond bounds. Acknowledge that Allah's knowledge encompasses all of our deeds, both known and unknown to ourselves. This humble admission of our limitations and reliance on Allah's knowledge and power is key to its recitation.
Virtues & Benefits
This powerful dua, taught by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to a noble Companion, Abu Bakr As-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him), covers all aspects of our sins – past, present, and future, those done openly and secretly. It emphasizes Allah's absolute power over time and existence, acknowledging Him as the sole controller of destiny. By reciting it, we seek comprehensive forgiveness, covering sins we are aware of and those we might not even recognize. It fosters humility and a constant awareness of our need for Allah's mercy, reinforcing the core belief in Tawhid (Oneness of Allah).
Source & Authentication
It was narrated from Abu Bakr As-Siddiq that he said to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ: 'Teach me something I should say in my supplication.' He said: 'O Allah, I have wronged myself greatly, and none can forgive sins except You. So, grant me forgiveness from Yourself, and have mercy upon me. Verily, You are the Oft-Forgiving, the Most Merciful.' (Allahumma inni zalamtu nafsi zulman kathiran, wa la yaghfirudh-dhunuba illa anta, faghfirli maghfiratan min 'indika, warhamni, innaka antal-Ghafurur-rahim.) And it was narrated from him (Abu Bakr) that he said to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ: 'O Messenger of Allah, teach me words that I may say in the morning and evening.' He said: 'Say: O Allah, Knower of the unseen and the Seen, Originator of the heavens and the earth, Lord of all things and their sovereign, I bear witness that there is no god but You. I seek refuge in You from the evil of myself and from the evil of the devil and his polytheism, and from gathering evil upon myself or dragging it to any Muslim.' (Allahumma 'alimal-ghaibi wash-shahadati, fati ras-samawati wal-ardi, Rabba kulli shai'in wa malikahu, ash-hadu an la ilaha illa Anta. A'udhu bika min sharri nafsi wa min sharrish-shaytani wa shirkih, wa an ajtarifa 'ala nafsi su'an aw adjurrahu ila muslim.) Abu Bakr also said to him: 'Teach me something I should say in my supplication.' He said: 'Say: O Allah, forgive me my wrong, my ignorance, my excess in my affair, and what You know better than I. O Allah, forgive me my jest and my seriousness, my error and my deliberate act, and all of that is with me. O Allah, forgive me what I have done in secret and what I have done openly; You are the One Who brings things forward and You are the One Who delays them; there is no god but You.' (Allahumma-ghfirli khata'i wa jahli, wa israfi fi amri, wa ma anta a'lamu bihi minni. Allahumma-ghfirli jiddi wa hazli, wa khata'i wa 'amdi, wa kullu dhalika 'indi. Allahumma-ghfirli ma qaddamtu wa ma akhkhartu, wa ma asrartu wa ma a'lantu, Antal-muqaddimu wa Antal-mu'akhkhiru, la ilaha illa Anta.)