اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ رَبِّي لا إِلَهَ إِلا أَنْتَ خَلَقْتَنِي وَأَنَا عَبْدُكَ وَأَنَا عَلَى عَهْدِكَ وَوَعْدِكَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُ أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا صَنَعْتُ أَبُوءُ لَكَ بِنِعْمَتِكَ عَلَيَّ وَأَبُوءُ لَكَ بِذَنْبِي فَاغْفِرْ لِي فَإِنَّهُ لا يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلا أَنْتَ
O Allah, You are my Lord. There is no god worthy of worship except You. You created me, and I am Your servant, and I am abiding by Your covenant and Your promise as much as I can. I seek refuge in You from the evil of what I have done. I acknowledge Your blessings upon me, and I acknowledge my sins. So forgive me, for none forgives sins except You.
Allahumma Anta Rabbi la ilaha illa Anta, Khalaqtani wa ana 'abduka, wa ana 'ala 'ahdika wa wa'dika mastata'tu. A'udhu bika min sharri ma sana'tu, aboo'u laka bi ni'matika 'alayya, wa aboo'u laka bi dhanbi faghfir li, fa innahu la yaghfirudh-dhunuba illa Anta.
When to Read
While this magnificent dua can be recited at any time you feel the need to seek Allah's forgiveness and express your gratitude, the Prophet ﷺ specifically highlighted its virtue when recited in the morning and evening. Make it a daily practice after Fajr prayer and before sunset, intending to fulfill this blessed guidance.
How to Read
When you recite Sayyid al-Istighfar, let your heart be truly present with the words. This isn't just about uttering phrases; it's a deep, sincere conversation with your Creator. Reflect on each part: acknowledge His Oneness, your servitude, your shortcomings, and His immense blessings upon you, which certainly include the very opportunity to seek forgiveness. Recite it with genuine repentance, firm belief in Allah's power to forgive, and hopeful anticipation of His mercy and acceptance. Allow the weight of your sins to humble you, and the vastness of His mercy to fill you with gratitude.
Virtues & Benefits
The Prophet ﷺ himself described the incredible reward for reciting this dua with firm belief: 'Whoever says it during the day, believing in it firmly, and dies on that day before evening, he will be among the people of Paradise. And whoever says it during the night, believing in it firmly, and dies before morning, he will be among the people of Paradise.' (Sahih al-Bukhari 6306). This isn't merely forgiveness; it is the ultimate gift of salvation and entry into Jannah, granted through Allah's boundless mercy. Reciting it regularly purifies the heart, strengthens your connection with Allah, and fills you with immense gratitude for His willingness to forgive even the greatest of sins.
Source & Authentication
Shaddad ibn Aws (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet ﷺ said: "The most superior way of asking for forgiveness from Allah is: 'O Allah, You are my Lord. There is no god worthy of worship except You. You created me, and I am Your servant, and I am abiding by Your covenant and Your promise as much as I can. I seek refuge in You from the evil of what I have done. I acknowledge Your blessings upon me, and I acknowledge my sins. So forgive me, for none forgives sins except You.' The Prophet ﷺ added, "If somebody recites this dua during the day with firm belief in it, and dies on the same day before evening, he will be from the people of Paradise. And if somebody recites it at night with firm belief in it, and dies before morning, he will be from the people of Paradise."