اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي مَا قَدَّمْتُ وَمَا أَخَّرْتُ، وَمَا أَسْرَرْتُ وَمَا أَعْلَنْتُ، وَمَا أَسْرَفْتُ، وَمَا أَنْتَ أَعْلَمُ بِهِ مِنِّي، أَنْتَ الْمُقَدِّمُ وَأَنْتَ الْمُؤَخِّرُ، لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ أَنْتَ.
O Allah, forgive me for what I have sent forth and what I have delayed, what I have concealed and what I have revealed, what I have exceeded in, and what You know better of me. You are the Advancer and You are the Delayer. There is no god but You.
Allahumma-ghfir li ma qaddamtu wa ma akhkhart, wa ma asrartu wa ma a'lantu, wa ma asraftu, wa ma anta a'lamu bihi minni. Antal-muqaddimu wa antal-mu'akhkhir. La ilaha illa Ant.
When to Read
This powerful supplication is perfect for anyone feeling the weight of past actions and yearning for a fresh start. Recite it during the stillness of the night, after obligatory prayers, or whenever you feel a deep need to acknowledge your shortcomings and seek Allah's (SWT) mercy. It's especially fitting when embarking on a new phase of life, like starting a new job, moving to a new place, or after completing a significant personal reflection period.
How to Read
Approach this dua with sincerity and a humble heart. Facing the Qiblah (if possible), raising your hands, and making earnest supplication are recommended etiquettes. Remember that sincere repentance (Tawbah) should accompany this dua, coupled with a firm intention to avoid repeating those mistakes. Believe in Allah's (SWT) boundless forgiveness and His ability to turn over a new leaf for you.
Virtues & Benefits
This comprehensive dua encompasses seeking forgiveness for all types of sins – past, present, future, hidden, and public. It acknowledges Allah's (SWT) absolute power over destiny, affirming His role as the One who brings things forward and delays them. By reciting this, we express our complete reliance on Him and our understanding that only He can facilitate a true new beginning by wiping the slate clean. It’s a profound declaration of faith and a request for divine cleansing.
Source & Authentication
Ibn Abi Umayya said: Sufyan narrated to us, from Al-A'mash, from Ibrahim At-Taimi, from his father, from Abu Bakr As-Siddiq, that he said: ‘I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: ‘There is no person who commits a sin and then purifies himself and prays, and then asks Allah for forgiveness, but Allah will grant him forgiveness.’ Then he recited this verse: ‘And those who, when they have committed immorality or wronged themselves, remember Allah and seek forgiveness for their sins—and who can forgive sins except Allah?—and are not persistent in what they have done while they know’ (Surah Al 'Imran, 3:135). Then Sufyan added from Al-A'mash, from Abu Saleh, from Abu Hurayrah, that he said: ‘I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: ‘By Allah, I ask for forgiveness from Allah and turn to Him in repentance more than seventy times a day.’ Abu Bakr mentioned: ‘And I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: ‘Allah descends to the nearest heaven in the last third of the night and says: ‘Is there anyone asking, so that I may grant him his request? Is there anyone seeking my forgiveness, so that I may forgive him?’ He continues this until the time of dawn.’ (Sahih Muslim 1821)