رَبِّ ارْحَمْهُمَا كَمَا رَبَّيَانِي صَغِيرًا
My Lord, have mercy upon them [my parents] as they brought me up when I was young.
Rabbir hamhuma kama rabbayani saghira
When to Read
This is a foundational dua that we can and should make for our parents every single day. It's particularly poignant to recite it during times of quiet reflection, after salah, or whenever we think of them. It’s a continuous supplication, mirroring their continuous care for us.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincerity and a heartfelt yearning for Allah's mercy to envelop your parents. Visualize their younger selves caring for you, and the love and sacrifice they extended. Make the dua a regular habit, a cornerstone of your supplications, acknowledging Allah's command and the immense debt we owe our parents.
Virtues & Benefits
Allah Himself instructs us to make this specific dua for our parents in the Quran: "And lower to them the wing of humility out of compassion, and say, 'My Lord, have mercy upon them as they cared for me when I was young.'" (Al-Isra 17:24). This highlights the immense virtue of showing mercy to parents, even after they have passed. It’s a way of fulfilling a continuous obligation and seeking Allah's pleasure, which in turn brings blessings to our own lives. A hadith also states, 'When a person dies, his deeds come to an end except for three: **Sadaqah Jariyah** (a continuous charity), **knowledge that is benefited from**, and **a righteous child who prays for him**.' (Sahih Muslim 1631). Making dua for our parents, especially when they are alive, is a vital part of being that 'righteous child' who continues to benefit them in the hereafter.