اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي وَلِوَالدَيَّ وَارْحَمْهُمَا كَمَا رَبَّيَانِي صَغِيرًا
O Allah, forgive me and my parents, and have mercy on them as they brought me up when I was young.
Allahummaghfir li wa li-walidayya, warhamhuma kama rabbayani saghira.
When to Read
This beautiful dua is powerful when recited daily, especially after the obligatory prayers (salat). It's also a fitting supplication to make during times of reflection, like before sleeping or when thinking about your parents, particularly if they are no longer alive. The regret we aim to avoid is the one that comes from neglecting our parents' rights or failing to show them the kindness they deserve while they are alive, or the regret of not seeking Allah's forgiveness and mercy for them after their passing.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincerity and a heart full of love and gratitude for your parents. Visualize them receiving Allah's mercy. Remember that the greatest regret we can have is falling short in our obligations to Allah and His creation, and this dua directly addresses a significant obligation we have towards our parents. Ensure you are in a state of purity if possible, though sincerity of intention is paramount. Making this dua after an act of worship, like completing a prayer, can enhance its acceptance.
Virtues & Benefits
This dua encapsulates two crucial aspects of our relationship with parents: seeking Allah's forgiveness for ourselves and praying for His mercy upon them. The phrase 'as they brought me up when I was young' highlights the immense sacrifice and effort parents put into raising us. By making this dua, we acknowledge their efforts and seek Allah's reward for them, thereby fulfilling a part of our duty. The potential sting of regret for parents often stems from not doing enough for them, either through disobedience, neglect, or failing to pray for them. This supplication directly counters that potential regret by actively seeking Allah's pleasure and mercy for them, and by acknowledging our own need for forgiveness, which is often tied to how we have treated our parents. It's a way to continuously earn their blessings and Allah's pleasure, even after they have departed from this world.
Source & Authentication
The hadith narrated by Abdullah bin Masud (may Allah be pleased with him) states that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'When a person says: Allahummaghfir li wa li-walidayya, warhamhuma kama rabbayani saghira. (O Allah, forgive me and my parents, and have mercy on them as they brought me up when I was young) – then it is said to that person: 'You have already been forgiven, and your parents have already been forgiven.' This was narrated by Abu Dawud and others, and it is considered Sahih.