اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي ذَنْبِي كُلَّهُ، دِقَّهُ وَجِلَّهُ، أَوَّلَهُ وَآخِرَهُ، عَلَانِيَتَهُ وَسِرَّهُ، وَجَبَرَهُ وَخَطَأَهُ
O Allah, forgive me for my sin, all of it, the small and the great, the first and the last, the open and the secret, the intentional and the unintentional.
Allahumma-ghfir li dhanbi kullahu, diqqahu wa jillahu, awwalahu wa akhirahu, 'alaniyatihi wa sirrahu, wa jabrahu wa khata'ahu
When to Read
This comprehensive dua is perfect for recitation during your daily prayers, especially after the taslim (the final salutation of prayer). It's also a powerful invocation to make during times of earnest seeking of forgiveness, such as after committing a sin, during the last third of the night, or when feeling the weight of one's actions on the heart. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught this dua to his companions, signifying its importance and breadth in seeking Allah's mercy.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincerity and a present heart, acknowledging your shortcomings before Allah. Feel the weight of your sins and the immense power of Allah's forgiveness. Raising your hands, as is customary in supplication, can enhance the feeling of earnestness. Reflect on each part of the dua: the small and the great, the known and the hidden, the deliberate and the accidental – encompassing all aspects of our sins. Accompanying this dua with sincere repentance (tawbah) is crucial.
Virtues & Benefits
This dua is remarkably comprehensive, covering every facet of sin. By asking for forgiveness for 'all of it, the small and the great, the first and the last, the open and the secret, the intentional and the unintentional,' we leave no room for self-deception or the overlooking of any transgression. Seeking forgiveness cleanses the heart from the rust of sins, which can cloud our judgment and distance us from Allah. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ himself taught this dua, indicating its immense value in drawing closer to Allah and purifying oneself. Regularly seeking Allah's forgiveness is a means to attaining His pleasure and protection from His punishment.
Source & Authentication
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'O people, repent to Allah, for I repent to Him one hundred times a day.' (Sahih Muslim 154a) And in another narration, the Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'By Allah, I seek forgiveness from Allah and turn to Him in repentance more than seventy times a day.' (Sahih al-Bukhari 6306) This particular dua is attributed to the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) in the context of seeking comprehensive forgiveness: 'Allahumma-ghfir li dhanbi kullahu, diqqahu wa jillahu, awwalahu wa akhirahu, 'alaniyatihi wa sirrahu, wa jabrahu wa khata'ahu.' (O Allah, forgive me for my sin, all of it, the small and the great, the first and the last, the open and the secret, the intentional and the unintentional.) This teaching demonstrates the Prophet's (ﷺ) own continuous seeking of forgiveness and encourages us to do the same with such profound supplications.