رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي وَتُبْ عَلَيَّ إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِيمُ
My Lord, forgive me and accept my repentance. Indeed, You are the Accepter of Repentance, the Merciful.
Rabbi ighfir li wa tub alayya innaka antat-Tawwabur-Raheem
When to Read
This is a profound supplication that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ would often recite. It's particularly fitting to say it during times of seeking closeness to Allah, such as after salah (obligatory or voluntary prayers), during the last third of the night, or whenever you feel a pang of regret or a desire to turn back to your Lord. It's a beautiful expression of acknowledging our need for Allah's mercy and guidance.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincere intention and a humble heart. Understand the meaning of each word: acknowledging Allah as your 'Rabbi' (Lord), earnestly asking for His 'ghufran' (forgiveness) for your shortcomings, and seeking His acceptance of your 'tawbah' (repentance). Recognizing His attributes as 'Al-Tawwab' (The Accepter of Repentance) and 'Ar-Raheem' (The Merciful) amplifies the hope and sincerity behind your supplication. It's best recited when you are in a state of purity, facing the Qiblah if possible, but sincerity of heart is paramount.
Virtues & Benefits
This dua embodies a comprehensive plea for spiritual cleansing. By asking for forgiveness, you seek to erase past sins. By asking for repentance to be accepted, you seek Allah's pleasure and guidance to remain steadfast on the right path. The mention of Allah's names 'Al-Tawwab' and 'Ar-Raheem' reminds us of His boundless mercy and willingness to forgive those who turn to Him. The Prophet ﷺ himself would frequently turn to Allah in repentance, even though he was promised Paradise. This serves as a powerful example for us to constantly seek Allah's pardon and forgiveness.
Source & Authentication
The narration states that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ would say this when he began his prayer: 'O Allah, Lord of Gabriel, Michael, Israfil, Creator of the heavens and the earth, Knower of the unseen and that which is apparent, You judge between Your servants concerning that wherein they differed. Guide me to the truth by Your permission, for indeed, You guide whom You will to a straight path. Do not let me go astray after You have guided me. You are Allah, the Lord of truth. I seek refuge in the Face of Allah, and by the power of Allah, from the accursed Satan. O Allah, Lord of the seven heavens and the great Throne, let my struggle be accepted and my burden light and do not render me disgraced in the sight of the Watchers, for You are indeed a just Lord. O Allah, with Your knowledge of the unseen, and Your power over creation, keep me alive as long as You know that life is good for me, and take me in death when death is good for me. O Allah, I ask You for fear of You in hidden and open matters, and I ask You to let me speak the truth in times of contentment and anger, and I ask You for moderation in poverty and wealth, and I ask You for a blessing that will not cease, and I ask You for contentment after judgment, and I ask You for coolness of life after death, and I ask You for the pleasure of looking at Your Face (or He said: the sight of Your Face), and I ask You for longing to meet You, and I ask You to forgive me the adornments of the evenings and the mornings. O Allah, forgive me my sins, whether they are the first or the last, the open or the hidden. I am pleased with Allah as a Lord, Islam as a religion, and Muhammad as a Prophet. I seek refuge in Allah from the evil of what I have done.' (And in another version): 'O Allah, forgive me my sins, and accept my repentance. You are indeed the Accepter of Repentance, the Merciful.'