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 bihamdika, ash-hadu an la ilaha illa anta, astaghfiruka wa atubu ilayk.
When to Read
This beautiful dua is recited by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ at the end of gatherings, acting as a spiritual cleanse for any unintentional wrongdoings or idle talk that may have occurred. It's perfect to say just as a social gathering begins, setting a positive and pure tone. Imagine everyone coming together, perhaps for a family dinner, a community meeting, or even a friendly get-together. Before conversations truly get underway, or as the host welcomes everyone, this dua can be recited aloud, or by individuals silently. It’s a way to purify the intention of the gathering itself and seek Allah's acceptance of our efforts to connect and build good relationships.
How to Read
Recite this supplication with sincerity and a clear intention. It can be recited individually as people are settling in, or by the host as a welcoming prayer. The focus should be on acknowledging Allah's perfection, expressing gratitude for His blessings (including the blessing of community), and seeking His forgiveness for any shortcomings. It's a gentle reminder that even in our social interactions, we are accountable to Allah and strive to please Him.
Virtues & Benefits
Reciting this dua serves as a powerful spiritual cleanser. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught this dua as expiation for any shortcomings or accidental wrongdoings that might occur in a gathering, such as idle speech or unintentional offenses. By starting our gatherings with this, we proactively seek Allah’s forgiveness and purification, ensuring that our interactions are pleasing to Him. It transforms a simple social occasion into an act of worship, fostering an atmosphere of mutual respect, sincerity, and divine blessing.
Source & Authentication
‘Aa’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ never sat down for a gathering, nor did he recite a Quran, nor did he mention Allah, but he concluded it with these words: ‘Subhanakallahumma wa bihamdika, ash-hadu an la ilaha illa anta, astaghfiruka wa atubu ilayk.’ (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, I said: ‘O Messenger of Allah! Your father and mother are ransomed for you! What is the matter with us that we conclude with these words?’ He said: ‘For what happens in a gathering; it is an expiation for what happens in a gathering.’