اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي ذُنُوبِي وَافْتَحْ لِي أَبْوَابَ فَضْلِكَ
O Allah, forgive my sins and open for me the doors of Your bounty.
Allahumma-ghfir li dhunubi wa-ftah li abwaba fadlik
When to Read
This dua is recommended to be recited immediately after finishing your prayers in the masjid and before stepping out. As you prepare to leave the House of Allah, this is a beautiful moment to seek His forgiveness and ask for His abundant blessings to accompany you into your daily life. It’s a transition from the spiritual haven of the masjid to the worldly affairs, seeking Allah's grace for what lies ahead.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincerity and a hopeful heart. Imagine the doors of Allah’s mercy and provision opening for you. It's a direct supplication to your Lord, so feel the connection and the hope for His response. You can raise your hands slightly as you make this dua, as is a common practice when seeking specific duas from Allah, though it is not a strict condition.
Virtues & Benefits
This dua carries immense benefits. Firstly, it is a direct request for forgiveness of sins, a fundamental need for every believer. Secondly, by asking to 'open the doors of Your bounty,' we are essentially asking Allah to bestow His favors, sustenance, knowledge, and all forms of goodness upon us. This is a powerful way to end your time in the masjid, ensuring that you leave with a renewed sense of hope and trust in Allah's infinite generosity, which is reflected in the Prophet's ﷺ own teachings about seeking Allah's grace upon exiting the masjid.
Source & Authentication
The full context involves a narration by Abu Usayd Malik bin Rabi'ah As-Sa'idi (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: 'I saw the Messenger of Allah ﷺ when he entered the masjid. He said: 'Allahumma aftah li abwaba rahmatik' (O Allah, open for me the doors of Your mercy). When he left, he said: 'Allahumma-ghfir li dhunubi wa-ftah li abwaba fadlik' (O Allah, forgive my sins and open for me the doors of Your bounty).' (Sahih Muslim 965). This hadith actually describes two distinct duas: one for entering the masjid and another for leaving. The dua for leaving is the one we are focusing on here.