رَّبِّ ارْحَمْهُمَا كَمَا رَبَّيَانِي صَغِيرًا
My Lord, have mercy upon them as they nurtured me when I was small.
Rabbir hamhuma kama rabbayani saghira
When to Read
This beautiful supplication can be recited at any time you make dua for your parents. It's especially powerful when you find yourself reflecting on their immense sacrifices and the countless ways they nurtured you when you were small. Whether they are still with you or have passed on, make this dua a regular part of your daily worship, perhaps after your obligatory prayers or during moments of personal reflection. It’s a constant, heartfelt reminder of the debt of gratitude we owe them.
How to Read
When you recite this dua, let your heart be filled with sincerity and humility. Imagine your parents, perhaps in their youth, tirelessly caring for you, or in their old age, needing your gentle support. Raise your hands in supplication, acknowledging Allah's boundless mercy, and ask Him to extend that same profound mercy to your parents. It’s not just about uttering words; it’s about a deeply felt plea from a grateful child, connecting your past dependence with their current needs through the mercy of Allah ﷺ.
Virtues & Benefits
Reciting this dua is a direct act of worship, a command from Allah Himself in Surah Al-Isra. The rewards and blessings are truly profound: * **Fulfilling an Islamic Imperative:** You are directly obeying Allah's command to honor and pray for your parents, which is one of the greatest deeds in Islam. * **Continuous Reward for Parents:** Your sincere dua becomes a continuous act of charity (*sadaqah jariyah*) for your parents, benefiting them even after they leave this world. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught us, 'When a man dies, all his deeds come to an end except for three: an ongoing charity, beneficial knowledge, or a righteous son who prays for him.' (Sahih Muslim 1631). What a beautiful way to continue honoring them! * **Allah's Pleasure and Barakah:** Treating parents with kindness and praying for them is a sure path to earning Allah's pleasure, bringing blessings (*barakah*) into your own life and making your affairs easier. * **A Legacy of Goodness:** By making this dua, you also set a beautiful example for your own children, who will, Insha'Allah, learn from your actions and pray for you when your time comes.
Source & Authentication
And your Lord has decreed that you not worship except Him, and to parents, good treatment. Whether one or both of them reach old age [while with you], say not to them [even] 'uff,' nor repel them. But speak to them a noble word. And lower to them the wing of humility out of mercy and say, 'My Lord, have mercy upon them as they nurtured me when I was small.' **Arabic:** وَقَضَىٰ رَبُّكَ أَلَّا تَعْبُدُوا إِلَّا إِيَّاهُ وَبِالْوَالِدَيْنِ إِحْسَانًا ۚ إِمَّا يَبْلُغَنَّ عِندَكَ الْكِبَرَ أَحَدُهُمَا أَوْ كِلَاهُمَا فَلَا تَقُل لَّهُمَا أُفٍّ وَلَا تَنْهَرْهُمَا وَقُل لَّهُمَا قَوْلًا كَرِيمًا (23) وَاخْفِضْ لَهُمَا جَنَاحَ الذُّلِّ مِنَ الرَّحْمَةِ وَقُل رَّبِّ ارْحَمْهُمَا كَمَا رَبَّيَانِي صَغِيرًا (24) **Transliteration:** *Wa qada rabbuka alla ta'budu illa iyyahu wa bil-walidayni ihsana. Imma yablughanna 'indakal-kibara ahaduhuma aw kilahuma fala taqul lahuma uffiw wa la tanharhuma wa qul lahuma qawlan karima. Wakhfid lahuma janahadh-dhulli minar-rahmati wa qul, Rabbir hamhuma kama rabbayani saghira.* — Al-Isra 17:23-24