اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ رَبِّي لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ 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 لاَ يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلاَّ أَنْتَ
O Allah, You are my Lord, there is no god but You. You created me, and I am Your slave, 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 favour upon me, and I acknowledge my sin. 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, abu'u laka bini'matika 'alayya wa abu'u laka bidhanbi faghfir li fa innahu la yaghfirudh-dhunuba illa Anta.
When to Read
This powerful supplication, known as the **Sayyid al-Istighfar** or the 'Master of Supplications for Forgiveness,' is recommended for daily recitation. The Prophet ﷺ specifically mentioned its virtues when recited during the day (after Fajr or in the morning) and during the night (after Asr or in the evening). Reciting it at these times, with firm faith, leads to immense reward, including the promise of Paradise. It's a profound way to begin and end your day by acknowledging Allah's tremendous favour upon you – particularly the favour of His readiness to forgive – and seeking His pardon. Make it a regular part of your daily remembrance (dhikr).
How to Read
To truly appreciate this dua as an expression of gratitude for Allah's forgiveness, recite it with deep sincerity and conviction (yaqeen). As you say, 'I acknowledge Your favour upon me,' reflect on the profound grace that Allah bestows upon us by even *allowing* us to seek forgiveness, and by promising to forgive those who turn to Him. This is the ultimate gift. Understand each phrase: recognizing Allah's sole Lordship, our servitude, our commitment, and seeking refuge from our shortcomings. The Prophet ﷺ emphasized 'firm faith' – believe wholeheartedly in the words, feel the weight of your sins, and have unwavering hope in Allah's boundless mercy. This act of sincere repentance, coupled with the acknowledgment of His grace, embodies gratitude for the path to purification He has laid out for us.
Virtues & Benefits
The immense benefit of reciting Sayyid al-Istighfar is articulated directly by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. He said: "Whoever says it during the day with firm faith in it, and dies on the same day before evening, he will be among the people of Paradise; and if he says it during the night with firm faith in it, and dies before morning, he will be among the people of Paradise." (Sahih al-Bukhari 6306). This dua is a pathway to Jannah (Paradise), a means of having one's sins forgiven, and a profound act of acknowledging Allah's infinite favours and mercy. It cultivates a deep sense of gratitude for Allah's willingness to forgive and His constant provision for our repentance.
Source & Authentication
عَنْ شَدَّادِ بْنِ أَوْسٍ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ: سَيِّدُ الاِسْتِغْفَارِ أَنْ تَقُولَ: اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ رَبِّي لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ 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 لاَ يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلاَّ أَنْتَ. قَالَ: وَمَنْ قَالَهَا مِنَ النَّهَارِ مُوقِنًا بِهَا، فَمَاتَ مِنْ يَوْمِهِ قَبْلَ أَنْ يُمْسِيَ، فَهُوَ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ، وَمَنْ قَالَهَا مِنَ اللَّيْلِ وَهُوَ مُوقِنٌ بِهَا، فَمَاتَ قَبْلَ أَنْ يُصْبِحَ، فَهُوَ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ. Narrated Shaddad bin Aus (may Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet ﷺ said: "The most superior way of asking for forgiveness is: 'O Allah, You are my Lord, there is no god but You. You created me, and I am Your slave, 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 favour upon me, and I acknowledge my sin. So forgive me, for none forgives sins except You.' The Prophet added, "If somebody recites this invocation during the day with firm faith 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 faith in it, and dies before morning, he will be from the people of Paradise."