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 عَلَىَّ وَأَبُوءُ بِذَنْبِي فَاغْفِرْ لِي فَإِنَّهُ لاَ يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلاَّ أَنْتَ
O Allah, You are my Lord, there is none worthy of worship except 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 blessings upon me, and I acknowledge my sin. So forgive me, for indeed, none can forgive 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 bidhanbi faghfirli fa innahu la yaghfirudh-dhunuba illa Anta.
When to Read
The Prophet ﷺ taught us this powerful dua, Sayyid al-Istighfar (The Master of Supplications for Forgiveness), with specific times in mind. He said if you recite it during the day with conviction and die before evening, you will be among the people of Paradise. The same applies if you recite it at night and die before morning. While these times are highly emphasized, this dua is profoundly fitting for any moment you feel the weight of your sins, when you're genuinely seeking a fresh start, or simply when you want to renew your covenant with Allah. It's a comprehensive prayer of repentance, perfect after falling short or anytime you remember Allah's vast mercy.
How to Read
To truly benefit from Sayyid al-Istighfar, recite it with full **sincerity and conviction**. Don't just let the words pass your lips; let them resonate in your heart. Reflect on each phrase: acknowledge Allah's Lordship, your status as His servant, and your commitment to Him. Recognize His immense blessings upon you, and then, with humility, admit your own shortcomings and sins. When you declare that none can forgive sins except Him, let that certainty fill you with hope. This is a profound conversation with your Creator, an act of genuine repentance (tawbah) where you turn back to Him with a pure intention to mend your ways. It’s an ideal practice to include in your daily morning and evening adhkar, allowing it to anchor your day and night in Allah's forgiveness.
Virtues & Benefits
The reward for reciting this particular dua is immense, directly promising us **Paradise**. As the Prophet ﷺ himself stated, "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" (Sahih al-Bukhari 6306). This isn't merely about uttering words; it's about a deep belief in Allah's attributes, acknowledging your dependence on Him, and a sincere plea for forgiveness. Reciting it regularly cultivates a continuous state of remembrance of Allah, humility, and hope in His boundless mercy, cleansing your heart and renewing your connection with your Lord.
Source & Authentication
Narrated Shaddad ibn Aws (may Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "The most superior way of asking for forgiveness from Allah is: 'O Allah, You are my Lord, there is none worthy of worship except 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 blessings upon me, and I acknowledge my sin. So forgive me, for indeed, none can forgive sins except You.' The Prophet (ﷺ) 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." — Sahih al-Bukhari 6306