اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ رَبِّي لا إِلَهَ إِلا أَنْتَ خَلَقْتَنِي وَأَنَا عَبْدُكَ وَأَنَا عَلَى عَهْدِكَ وَوَعْدِكَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُ أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا صَنَعْتُ أَبُوءُ لَكَ بِنِعْمَتِكَ عَلَيَّ وَأَبُوءُ بِذَنْبِي فَاغْفِرْ لِي فَإِنَّهُ لا يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلا 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 the evil of what I have done. I acknowledge before You Your blessings upon me, and I acknowledge my sins. So forgive me, for verily none forgives 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, abu'u laka bini'matika 'alayya, wa abu'u bidhanbi faghfir li fa innahu la yaghfirudh-dhunuba illa Anta.
When to Read
This dua, Sayyidul Istighfar, is famously recited in the morning and evening, seeking Allah's forgiveness for all our shortcomings. But beyond its daily recitation, when we reflect on our relationship with the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, we might find areas where we've fallen short. Perhaps we haven't followed his sunnah as diligently as we could, or we've spoken ill of others which goes against his teachings of good conduct, or we haven't given him the respect and honor due to him as the Final Messenger of Allah. This dua becomes especially poignant when we consciously intend to seek Allah's forgiveness for any such shortcomings, knowing that obeying the Prophet ﷺ is obeying Allah. Recite it with sincerity, particularly after moments of reflection or when you feel a pang of regret for any lapse in your commitment to his noble path.
How to Read
Approach this dua with humility and sincere repentance. Understand each phrase you utter, reflecting on the depth of its meaning. Recognize Allah's absolute power and mercy, confessing your weaknesses and reliance on Him for forgiveness. Raise your hands if you wish, in a state of complete submission. Feel the weight of your actions and the immense generosity of Allah as you ask Him to pardon you. Remember that sins against the Prophet ﷺ are ultimately sins against Allah, as He commanded us to obey His Messenger. Let your heart be present with your tongue.
Virtues & Benefits
The Prophet ﷺ himself described this dua as "Sayyidul Istighfar," the **Master of Forgiveness**. He said, "If somebody recites this invocation during the day with firm faith in it, and dies on the same day before evening, he will be from the people of Paradise; and if somebody recites it at night with firm faith in it, and dies before morning, he will be from the people of Paradise." (Sahih al-Bukhari 6306). This unparalleled reward highlights the immense virtue of this dua. It is a comprehensive plea for forgiveness that covers all types of sins, including those related to our conduct and devotion towards the Prophet ﷺ. Through it, we reaffirm our covenant with Allah, acknowledge His blessings, and admit our transgressions, seeking His unique mercy and a path to Jannah.
Source & Authentication
Shaddad bin Aus (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet ﷺ said, "The most superior way of asking for forgiveness is: '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 the evil of what I have done. I acknowledge before You Your blessings upon me, and I acknowledge my sins. So forgive me, for verily none forgives sins except You.' The Prophet ﷺ added, "If somebody recites this invocation during the day with firm faith in it, and dies on the same day before evening, he will be from the people of Paradise; and if somebody recites it at night with firm faith in it, and dies before morning, he will be from the people of Paradise." — Sahih al-Bukhari 6306