رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي وَلِوَالِدَيَّ وَارْحَمْهُمَا كَمَا رَبَّيَانِي صَغِيرًا
My Lord, forgive me and my parents, and have mercy upon them as they brought me up [when I was] small.
Rabbighfirli waliwalidayya warhamhuma kama rabbayani saghira
When to Read
This powerful dua is ideally recited at any time, especially when thinking of one's parents, acknowledging their efforts, and seeking Allah's forgiveness and mercy for them. It is particularly poignant when one is older and perhaps experiencing physical dependence themselves, reflecting on the care they once received and the need for ongoing divine support.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincerity and a humble heart. Visualize your parents, living or deceased, and the immense sacrifices they made. The act of seeking Allah's mercy for them is a profound form of honoring them, even in their absence. It's a beautiful way to acknowledge our own journey and the continuous need for Allah's grace, especially as we age and may require more assistance.
Virtues & Benefits
This dua embodies the Islamic principle of honoring one's parents, even after their passing. It is a direct supplication taught by our Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, indicating its immense virtue. By asking Allah to bestow mercy upon them as they showed mercy in raising us, we are fulfilling a significant right of parents and seeking Allah's pleasure. The act of sincere supplication for others is a blessed deed in Islam, and this dua encompasses gratitude, remembrance, and a request for divine mercy, all of which are highly rewarded.
Source & Authentication
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: "When a person dies, all their deeds come to an end except for three: an ongoing charity, knowledge that is benefited from, and a righteous child who prays for them." In another narration in Sahih Muslim, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: > **Arabic:** "إِذَا مَاتَ الإِنْسَانُ انْقَطَعَ عَنْهُ عَمَلُهُ إِلاَّ مِنْ ثَلاَثَةٍ إِلاَّ صَدَقَةٍ جَارِيَةٍ أَوْ عِلْمٍ يُنْتَفَعُ بِهِ أَوْ وَلَدٍ صَالِحٍ يَدْعُو لَهُ" > **Translation:** "When a person dies, his deeds stop except for three: a continuous charity, knowledge from which people benefit, or a righteous child who supplicates for him." The specific dua "Rabbighfirli waliwalidayya warhamhuma kama rabbayani saghira" is an example of the supplication of a righteous child for their parents, as taught in various contexts and emphasized by scholars.