اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي خَطِيئَتِي وَجَهْلِي، وَإِسْرَافِي فِي أَمْرِي، وَمَا أَنْتَ أَعْلَمُ بِهِ مِنِّي، اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي جِدِّي وَهَزْلِي، وَخَطَئِي وَعَمْدِي، وَعِنْدِي خَطَئِي، أَسْأَلُكَ الْهُدَى وَالتُّقَى، وَالْعَفَافَ وَالْغِنَى
O Allah, forgive my mistakes and my ignorance, and my extravagance in my affairs, and whatever You know better about me than I do. O Allah, forgive me for my seriousness and my jesting, and my errors and my intentional acts, and whatever mistakes I have made. I ask You for guidance and piety, abstinence and contentment.
Allahumma-ghfir li khatee'ati wa jahli, wa israafi fi amri, wa ma anta a'lamu bihi minni. Allahumma-ghfir li jiddi wa hazli, wa khata'i wa 'amdi, wa 'indi khata'i. As'alukal-huda wat-tuqa, wal-'afafa wal-ghina.
When to Read
This comprehensive dua is profoundly beneficial for anyone, especially the elderly, as it encompasses seeking forgiveness for all types of shortcomings and asking Allah for fundamental spiritual and material well-being. Recite it regularly, perhaps after your obligatory prayers, to cultivate humility and reliance on Allah as physical abilities diminish and the journey towards Him nears.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincerity and deep reflection, understanding each phrase. Raise your hands in supplication, a Sunnah for seeking Allah's help. Imagine Allah's mercy encompassing you as you utter these words. It is recommended to say it after your Fard (obligatory) prayers, as this is a blessed time for dua.
Virtues & Benefits
This dua, taught by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ himself, is a powerful tool for spiritual purification and well-being. It helps in seeking Allah's forgiveness for a wide spectrum of sins and shortcomings, both deliberate and unintentional. By asking for guidance (huda), piety (tuqa), abstinence from sin (afaf), and contentment (ghina), one is seeking the very essence of a balanced and pleasing life in the sight of Allah, which is particularly crucial in old age when one's strength may wane but the need for Allah's support is paramount.
Source & Authentication
Narrated by Abdullah bin Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him): The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'When one of you supplicates, he should be firm in his supplication and say: 'O Allah, grant me sustenance.' Verily, Allah does not withdraw what He gives, even though He may give it after some time, or after a period.' And in another narration: 'The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to teach us the Istikhara prayer in all matters as he taught us Surah from the Quran. He said: 'When anyone among you is concerned about a matter, he should perform two rak'ahs of prayer other than the obligatory ones, and then say: 'O Allah, I seek guidance from Your knowledge, and by Your power I seek strength, and I beg You of Your great bounty. For indeed You know what is and I know not. You have knowledge of the unseen. O Allah, if You know that this matter [mention the matter here] is good for me in this life and in the Hereafter, then ordain it for me, make it easy for me, and bless me in it. And if You know that this matter is bad for me, then turn it away from me and turn me away from it, and ordain for me the good wherever it may be and make me pleased with it.' He said: 'And he should mention his need.' In this narration, we find a supplication that encapsulates comprehensive seeking of Allah's favor: 'Allahumma-ghfir li khatee'ati wa jahli, wa israafi fi amri, wa ma anta a'lamu bihi minni. Allahumma-ghfir li jiddi wa hazli, wa khata'i wa 'amdi, wa 'indi khata'i. As'alukal-huda wat-tuqa, wal-'afafa wal-ghina.' (Sahih Muslim 3003)