سُبْحَانَكَ اللَّهُمَّ وَبِحَمْدِكَ، أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ أَنْتَ، أَسْتَغْفِرُكَ وَأَتُوبُ إِلَيْكَ
Glory be to You, O Allah, and praise be to You. I bear witness that there is no god but You. I seek Your forgiveness and turn to You in repentance.
Subhanakallahumma wa bihamdik, ash-hadu an la ilaha illa anta, astaghfiruka wa atubu ilaik
When to Read
This dua is recommended to be recited at the beginning of any gathering, assembly, or meeting (majlis). It serves as a purification for any unintended idle talk or shortcomings that might occur during the session, and it invokes Allah's blessing upon the gathering. Whether it's a formal meeting, a casual get-together with friends, or even a study circle, starting with this supplication aligns our intentions and seeks divine acceptance.
How to Read
Recite this dua once at the very start of the majlis, before any other business or discussion begins. It is best recited with sincerity and a present heart, acknowledging Allah's presence and perfection. While it can be recited individually or by the leader of the gathering, its purpose is to encompass the entire assembly.
Virtues & Benefits
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught this dua as expiation for any 'excess' or 'shortcoming' that might occur in a gathering. This means that if anyone says something inappropriate, or if words spoken were not perfectly aligned with Islamic etiquette or were simply meaningless chatter, this dua wipes it clean. It purifies the gathering and makes it pleasing to Allah, turning what could have been a source of regret into an act of worship. It’s a beautiful way to ensure our engagements are blessed from beginning to end.
Source & Authentication
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: 'Whoever sits in a gathering and there is therein a great deal of he does not keep within its bounds, he will be cursed in this life and in the Hereafter. It was said: O Messenger of Allah, what is its expiation? He said: For them to say when they get up from their sitting: Glory be to You, O Allah, and praise be to You. I bear witness that there is no god but You. I seek Your forgiveness and turn to You in repentance.' So, a man asked him: 'O Messenger of Allah, what is this (saying)?' He said: 'It is expiation for what is in the gathering.'