لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
There is no god but Allah, alone, without partner. To Him belongs sovereignty and to Him belongs all praise, and He is over all things competent.
La ilaha illallah wahdahu la sharika lah, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamdu wa huwa 'ala kulli shay'in qadir
When to Read
This powerful dhikr and dua is particularly recommended on the Day of Arafat, especially when standing at Jabal Rahmah (Mount of Mercy) in Arafat. The Day of Arafat, the 9th of Dhu al-Hijjah, is a day of immense spiritual significance, and the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ highlighted its virtues. Standing at Jabal Rahmah is a location where many pilgrims pause to make earnest supplications.
How to Read
Recite this supplication with sincerity, humility, and full presence of heart. Reflect on the meanings of the words: the absolute oneness of Allah, His sole dominion, His all-encompassing praise, and His power over everything. It is encouraged to repeat it, and to follow it with personal duas for yourself, your family, and the entire Ummah. Ensure you are facing the Qiblah if possible, and maintain the best etiquette befitting a servant before his Lord.
Virtues & Benefits
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ stated: 'The best supplication is the supplication of the Day of Arafat.' He also said: 'Whoever says this dhikr (La ilaha illallah...) when he finishes his prayers, Allah will forgive his sins, even if they were as much as the foam of the sea. And whoever says it at night, it will be like that, and if he says it during the day, it will be like that.' (Sunan At-Tirmidhi 3469 - slightly different wording but same core meaning emphasized for general recitation). The specific phrasing used here, concerning the Day of Arafat, carries the unique blessing of that blessed day. Allah frees people from the Fire in greater numbers on no day than the Day of Arafat. (Sahih Muslim 1346). Making dua at Jabal Rahmah on this day is a profound opportunity for seeking forgiveness and closeness to Allah.
Source & Authentication
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: 'The best supplication is the supplication of the Day of Arafat, and the best thing that I and the prophets before me have said is: La ilaha illallah wahdahu la sharika lah, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamdu wa huwa 'ala kulli shay'in qadir. (There is no god but Allah, alone, without partner. To Him belongs sovereignty and to Him belongs all praise, and He is over all things competent.)' (Sunan At-Tirmidhi 3574). Regarding the general virtue of the day: 'Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported that the Prophet ﷺ said: 'There is no day when Allah frees men and women from the Fire as He does on the Day of Arafat. He draws near, then He praises them to the angels, and says: What do these people want?' (Sahih Muslim 1346).