اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي خَطِيئَتِي وَجَهْلِي وَإِسْرَافِي فِي أَمْرِي كُلِّهِ، وَأَنْتَ أَعْلَمُ بِهِ مِنِّي، اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي هَزْلِي وَجِدِّي، وَخَطَئِي وَعَمْدِي، وَذَنْبِي كُلِّهِ، أَسْتَغْفِرُكَ مِنْهُ، اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي مَا قَدَّمْتُ وَمَا أَخَّرْتُ، وَمَا أَسْرَرْتُ وَمَا أَعْلَنْتُ، وَمَا أَنْتَ أَعْلَمُ بِهِ مِنِّي، أَنْتَ المُقَدِّمُ وَأَنْتَ المُؤَخِّرُ، لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ أَنْتَ
O Allah, forgive me my mistakes, my ignorance, and my excess in all my affairs, and You know them better than I. O Allah, forgive me my jesting and my seriousness, my unintentional and intentional errors, and all my sins. I seek Your forgiveness for them. O Allah, forgive me what I have sent forth and what I have left behind, what I have concealed and what I have declared, and what You know better than I. You are the One Who sends forth and the One Who delays; there is no god but You.
Allahumma-ghfir li khate'ati wa jahli wa israafi fi amri kullihi, wa anta a'lamu bihi minni. Allahumma-ghfir li hazli wa jiddi, wa khata'i wa 'amdi, wa dhanbi kullihi, astaghfiruka minhu. Allahumma-ghfir li ma qaddamtu wa ma akhkhartu, wa ma asrartu wa ma a'lantu, wa ma anta a'lamu bihi minni. Antal-muqaddimu wa antal-mu'akhkhiru, la ilaha illa ant.
When to Read
This comprehensive dua is particularly poignant for older Muslims who reflect on a lifetime of deeds. It can be recited at any time, but it's especially fitting after salah (obligatory prayers), during the stillness of the night, or at any moment one feels the weight of their past actions and seeks Allah's ultimate mercy. For the elderly, it's a profound way to conclude their earthly journey with a plea for forgiveness, acknowledging that no matter how pious one has tried to be, human error is inevitable.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincerity and deep contemplation. Focus on the meaning of each phrase, picturing yourself standing before Allah, acknowledging your shortcomings. Ensure you pronounce the Arabic clearly, though the intention and sincerity are paramount. It's a personal supplication, so raising your hands (as is customary in dua) can enhance the feeling of earnestness.
Virtues & Benefits
This dua encapsulates a complete plea for forgiveness, covering all aspects of human failing: unintentional errors ('khata'i'), intentional sins ('amdi'), seriousness ('jiddi'), jesting ('hazli'), and excesses committed out of ignorance ('jahli' and 'israfi'). By acknowledging Allah's knowledge surpasses our own ('wa anta a'lamu bihi minni'), we demonstrate true humility. The recognition of Allah as 'Al-Muqaddim' (The One Who brings forward) and 'Al-Mu'akhkhir' (The One Who delays) underscores His absolute control and sovereignty, reinforcing our reliance on Him alone. This prayer is a means to purify one's record before meeting Allah, a vital concern for those whose time on Earth is drawing to a close.
Source & Authentication
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) used to supplicate in these words: Allahumma-ghfir li khate'ati wa jahli wa israafi fi amri kullihi, wa anta a'lamu bihi minni. Allahumma-ghfir li hazli wa jiddi, wa khata'i wa 'amdi, wa dhanbi kullihi, astaghfiruka minhu. Allahumma-ghfir li ma qaddamtu wa ma akhkhartu, wa ma asrartu wa ma a'lantu, wa ma anta a'lamu bihi minni. Antal-muqaddimu wa antal-mu'akhkhiru, la ilaha illa ant. (O Allah, forgive me my mistakes, my ignorance, and my excess in all my affairs, and You know them better than I. O Allah, forgive me my jesting and my seriousness, my unintentional and intentional errors, and all my sins. I seek Your forgiveness for them. O Allah, forgive me what I have sent forth and what I have left behind, what I have concealed and what I have declared, and what You know better than I. You are the One Who sends forth and the One Who delays; there is no god but You.)