سُبْحَانَكَ اللَّهُمَّ وَبِحَمْدِكَ، أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ أَنْتَ، أَسْتَغْفِرُكَ وَأَتُوبُ إِلَيْكَ
Glory be to You, O Allah, and praise be to You. I bear witness that there is no god but You. I seek Your forgiveness and turn to You in repentance.
Subhanakallahumma wa bihamdika, ash-hadu an la ilaha illa anta, astaghfiruka wa atubu ilayk
When to Read
This beautiful dua is recited at the end of gatherings, but its essence is perfect for reciting immediately after making sincere repentance (tawbah). When you've acknowledged your mistake, felt remorse, and resolved not to repeat it, this dua seals that moment. It's a way to express gratitude for Allah's mercy in accepting your repentance and to reaffirm your commitment to Him.
How to Read
Recite this with sincerity and conviction. Imagine yourself truly seeking Allah's forgiveness and professing your belief in His oneness. The act of repentance itself is the most crucial part; this dua serves as a powerful affirmation of that commitment. It's best recited with a clear heart and a hopeful spirit, recognizing that Allah is Al-Ghafoor (The All-Forgiving).
Virtues & Benefits
This dua encapsulates the essence of a true repentance. By praising Allah ('Subhanakallahumma wa bihamdika'), acknowledging His uniqueness ('ash-hadu an la ilaha illa anta'), and explicitly seeking forgiveness and turning back to Him ('astaghfiruka wa atubu ilayk'), you are affirming your commitment to a fresh start. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught this dua as a means to purify the gathering and forgive any unintentional shortcomings during it, mirroring how sincere tawbah purifies the individual and sets them on a new path.
Source & Authentication
It was narrated from 'Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ did not pass by an occasion or a gathering but he would say some words. 'Aishah said: 'He said once: 'Subhanakallahumma wa bihamdika, ash-hadu an la ilaha illa anta, astaghfiruka wa atubu ilayk' (Glory be to You, O Allah, and praise be to You. I bear witness that there is no god but You. I seek Your forgiveness and turn to You in repentance.)' He said: 'So I said: 'O Messenger of Allah, you do not pass by an occasion or a gathering but you say these words.' He said: 'Yes, whoever says good things will be sealed with them, and whoever says bad things, they will be a expiation for him.' (This last part regarding expiation is specific to the context of the gathering's potential shortcomings, but the core dua itself is a powerful statement of tawbah).