رَبَّنَا لَا تُؤَاخِذْنَا إِن نَّسِينَا أَوْ أَخْطَأْنَا ۚ رَبَّنَا وَلَا تَحْمِلْ عَلَيْنَا إِصْرًا كَمَا حَمَلْتَهُ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِنَا ۚ رَبَّنَا وَلَا تُحَمِّلْنَا مَا لَا طَاقَةَ لَنَا بِهِ ۖ وَاعْفُ عَنَّا وَاغْفِرْ لَنَا وَارْحَمْنَا ۚ أَنتَ مَوْلَانَا فَانصُرْنَا عَلَى الْقَوْمِ الْكَافِرِينَ
Our Lord, do not impose blame upon us if we forget or make mistakes. Our Lord, and do not place upon us a burden [as] You placed upon those before us. Our Lord, and do not burden us with that for which we have no endurance. And pardon us; and forgive us; and have mercy upon us. You are our protector, so give us victory over the disbelieving people.
Rabbana la tu'akhidhna in naseena aw akhta'na. Rabbana wa la tahmil 'alayna isran kama hamaltahu 'alal-ladheena min qablina. Rabbana wa la tuhammilna ma la taqata lana bih. Wa'fu 'anna, waghfir lana, warhamna. Anta mawlana fansurna 'alal-qawmil-kafirin.
When to Read
This is a foundational dua from the Quran, revealed at the end of Surah Al-Baqarah. It's a comprehensive supplication that encompasses acknowledging our human frailties – forgetfulness and error – and seeking Allah's mercy and strength. We can and should recite this at any time, but especially when we feel overwhelmed, when we realize we've made a mistake or forgotten something important, or as part of our daily supplications to seek Allah's gentle handling of our lives.
How to Read
The beauty of this dua lies in its direct request to Allah. It's an earnest plea from the heart. Recite it with sincerity and a deep understanding of its meaning. Reflect on each part: acknowledging our potential for forgetting and error, asking that Allah doesn't hold us accountable for these inherent weaknesses, begging Him not to burden us beyond our capacity, and finally, seeking His forgiveness, mercy, and support against overwhelming odds. Raising hands is generally recommended for supplication, but this Quranic dua can be recited in any state.
Virtues & Benefits
This ayah carries immense benefits. It's a testament to Allah's mercy, as He immediately follows this dua with: 'Allah does not burden a soul beyond its capacity. It shall have [the result of] what [good] it has earned, and it shall bear [the burden of] what [evil] it has earned. Our Lord, do not impose blame upon us if we forget or make mistakes.' (Quran 2:286). This reveals Allah's understanding and acceptance of our human limitations. By reciting this, we are: 1. Acknowledging Allah's Lordship and our dependence on Him. 2. Seeking His grace in overlooking our unintentional shortcomings. 3. Asking for strength and protection against unbearable trials. 4. Affirming our faith and seeking His ultimate victory. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 'When Allah gave the last verses of Surah Al-Baqarah from His treasures which are under the Throne, He wrote them down in (letters of) light and He recited them, and He Himself enjoined them upon you, and He taught you the interpretation of them. So learn them and teach them to your women and your men and your children and your servants and your prisoners and all people.' (Sahih Muslim 806). This highlights the immense importance and divine instruction behind these verses.