اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي عِرْضِي وَتُبْ عَلَيَّ إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِيمُ
O Allah, forgive my honor/reputation and accept my repentance, indeed You are the Accepter of Repentance, the Most Merciful.
Allahumma ighfir li 'irḍī wa tub 'alayya innaka Antat-Tawwabur-Raḥīm
When to Read
This dua is particularly beneficial to recite on Friday, the day of Jumu'ah, as it is a blessed time for supplication. It's a prayer we can make anytime we feel tempted to engage in gossip or backbiting, or when we are in the company of people who are prone to it. Making it a habit to say this on Friday can help purify our tongues and protect our own honor and the honor of others throughout the week.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincerity and a heartfelt intention to guard your tongue. It's best to say it after the obligatory prayers or during the times when dua is more likely to be answered, such as the hour on Friday. Focus on the meaning, asking Allah to purify your intention and grant you the strength to refrain from harmful speech.
Virtues & Benefits
This dua directly asks Allah for forgiveness concerning one's 'irḍ' (honor, reputation, dignity), which is often damaged by backbiting and gossip. It's a plea for Allah's acceptance of our repentance from past failings and a request for His help in avoiding future sins of the tongue. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught us that much of the Fire of Hell is due to the tongue and the private parts (Sunan Ibn Majah 4246, Sahih). Seeking Allah's protection through this dua helps safeguard us from this severe consequence.
Source & Authentication
The hadith mentions that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ used to say: 'Allahumma ighfir li 'irḍī wa tub 'alayya innaka Antat-Tawwabur-Raḥīm.' (O Allah, forgive my honor/reputation and accept my repentance, indeed You are the Accepter of Repentance, the Most Merciful). There is another relevant hadith from the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ: 'Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him speak good or keep silent.' (Sahih al-Bukhari 6138).