رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي وَلِوَالِدَيَّ وَلِمَن دَخَلَ بَيْتِيَ مُؤْمِنًا وَلِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتِ
My Lord, forgive me and my parents and whoever enters my house as a believer and the believing men and believing women.
Rabbighfir li waliwalidayya wa liman dakhala baytiya mu'minan wa lilmu'minina wal mu'minat
When to Read
This powerful supplication is perfect for reciting anytime. We can make it a regular part of our daily duas, perhaps after each obligatory prayer. It's especially poignant when we reflect on our parents, their sacrifices, and any times we may have fallen short in our duties towards them, intentionally or unintentionally. It’s a beautiful way to continuously seek Allah's mercy for them and ourselves.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincerity and a humble heart. Imagine your parents before you, and feel the weight of your love and responsibility towards them. Make sure to pronounce the Arabic clearly, understanding each word you utter. It is recommended to raise your hands slightly while making dua, as is the practice taught by our beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, and to face the Qiblah if possible. Above all, have firm belief that Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) hears your supplication and will respond in the best way.
Virtues & Benefits
This ayah, taught by Prophet Nuh (Noah) (peace be upon him), encompasses immense blessings. It’s a comprehensive prayer for forgiveness not just for ourselves and our parents, but for all believing men and women, including those who are under our care (as indicated by 'whoever enters my house'). This demonstrates the expansive nature of a believer's concern and supplication. Seeking forgiveness for parents is a profound act of obedience and kindness, even after they have passed on, as it continues to benefit them in the hereafter. This dua is a tangible way to honor our parents' rights upon us, acknowledging our own shortcomings and seeking Allah's grace to cover them for both generations.
Source & Authentication
Narrated by Ibn 'Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 'Whoever remembers that he has sinned and then says: 'Glory be to Allah and I praise Him, there is no god but Allah, and Allah is the Greatest. O Allah, forgive me my sins.' If he says this, he will be forgiven. If he goes on a journey and says: 'O Allah, I ask of You the best in this journey, and the best of those who are in it, and I seek refuge in You from the evil of this journey and the evil of those who are in it.' If he says this, he will be forgiven. If he falls ill and says: 'O Allah, I ask of You the best of health and of the best cure, and I seek refuge in You from the evil of illness and the evil of the pain.' If he says this, he will be forgiven. And when a person becomes old, he says: 'O Allah, grant me the best of deeds at the time of death, and the best of the remaining life, and grant me the best of the outcomes of deeds.' And when he sees what he dislikes, he says: 'All praise is due to Allah, by Whose grace good deeds are completed.' And when he hears good news, he says: 'Glory be to Allah, and praise be to Him.' And when he hears bad news, he says: 'Glory be to Allah, and praise be to Him.' And when he sees what he dislikes, he says: 'Glory be to Allah, and praise be to Him.' The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ also said: 'No believing servant says, after he has been told of his brother’s death: 'O Allah, forgive him and elevate his rank and leave him not in the company of those [Muslims] who are left behind. And say: ‘May Allah have mercy on him’'' – except that Allah will forgive him and raise his rank and he will be saved from the falling of the [grave's] sides. And when he says: 'O Allah, forgive me and my parents and the mothers of my parents and whoever enters my home as a believer and the believing men and believing women, and do not increase the disbelievers except in destruction.' – except that Allah will forgive him and his parents and the mothers of his parents, and whoever enters his home as a believer, and the believing men and believing women, and the disbelievers will not increase except in destruction.' (This is a part of a longer hadith discussing various supplications. The relevant portion for this entry is the latter half).