سُبْحَانَكَ اللَّهُمَّ وَبِحَمْدِكَ، أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ، أَسْتَغْفِرُكَ وَأَتُوبُ إِلَيْكَ
Glory be to You, O Allah, and all praise is Yours. I bear witness that there is no god but You; I seek Your forgiveness and I turn to You in repentance.
Subhanakallāhumma wa biḥamdika, ash-hadu an lā ilāha illā anta, astaghfiruka wa atūbu ilayk.
When to Read
This dua is specifically prescribed to be recited when leaving any gathering, whether it's a casual meeting, a formal event, or even the mosque. It's a beautiful way to conclude an interaction, acknowledging that despite our best intentions, we may have inadvertently said or done something that requires Allah's forgiveness.
How to Read
Recite this dua sincerely, with full awareness of its meaning. It's typically recited once, often as one is physically departing. The emphasis is on seeking refuge in Allah's perfection and acknowledging our own human shortcomings in speech and action.
Virtues & Benefits
This dua acts as a spiritual 'clean-up' for any unintentional wrongdoings during a gathering. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught us this supplication specifically to atone for potential sins of speech, such as idle talk, backbiting, or saying something inappropriate. It ensures that our time spent with others concludes on a note of repentance and remembrance of Allah, potentially erasing any negative impact. The hadith states that whoever recites this at the end of a gathering, it will be a seal for them, meaning it will seal them (for good) and it will be a cause for their sins to be forgiven.
Source & Authentication
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: 'Whoever sits in a gathering and is filled with much<bos> and then leaves without before reciting Dhikr Allah, there will be upon them a regret on the Day of Resurrection. And whoever sits in a gathering and is filled with much wrongdoing and then leaves before reciting Dhikr Allah, it will be expiation for them.' And in another narration: 'Whoever sits in a gathering and says: *Subhanakallāhumma wa biḥamdika, ash-hadu an lā ilāha illā anta, astaghfiruka wa atūbu ilayk* (Glory be to You, O Allah, and all praise is Yours. I bear witness that there is no god but You; I seek Your forgiveness and I turn to You in repentance), then it will be a seal for them, and it will be a cause for their sins to be forgiven.' (Sunan Abi Dawud 5085, Sunan At-Tirmidhi 3433 - graded Hasan by At-Tirmidhi)