اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي مَا قَدَّمْتُ وَمَا أَخَّرْتُ، وَمَا أَسْرَرْتُ وَمَا أَفْصَحْتُ، وَمَا أَسْرَفْتُ، وَمَا أَنْتَ أَعْلَمُ بِهِ مِنِّي، أَنْتَ الْمُقَدِّمُ وَأَنْتَ الْمُؤَخِّرُ، لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ أَنْتَ.
O Allah, forgive me for what I have committed and what I have delayed, for what I have concealed and what I have revealed, and for what I have exceeded [my limits]. You know best my shortcomings. You are the One who sends forth and the One who delays. There is no god but You.
Allahumma-ghfirli ma qaddamtu wa ma akhkhartu, wa ma asrartu wa ma afsahtu, wa ma asraftu, wa ma anta a'lamu bihi minni, antal-muqaddimu wa antal-mu'akhkhir, la ilaha illa anta.
When to Read
This profound dua is particularly fitting after an argument with a loved one, especially if you feel you might have wronged them or spoken words you regret. It's a comprehensive plea for forgiveness that covers past and present actions, hidden and open deeds, and any excess. Reciting it immediately after such an incident, or later when reflecting on it, can be a powerful step towards seeking Allah's mercy and mending relationships.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincere intention and a humbled heart. Turn towards the Qiblah if possible, raise your hands (though not mandatory for this specific dua), and beseech Allah with utmost earnestness. Reflect on the meaning of each phrase and what it entails for your own actions. It is also vital to follow up this dua with sincere efforts to apologize to the person you argued with, seek their forgiveness, and strive to rectify the situation.
Virtues & Benefits
This dua encompasses a comprehensive request for forgiveness. By asking for pardon for past and future sins, hidden and public transgressions, and any overstepping of boundaries, you are seeking Allah's complete mercy. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught this dua as a way to acknowledge Allah's sovereignty and seek refuge in Him alone. It serves as a powerful reminder that all our actions are known to Allah, and only He can forgive us. Following this with genuine repentance and making amends in the worldly realm are key to true reconciliation, both with Allah and with our fellow human beings.
Source & Authentication
Narrated Abu Hurairah: Abu Bakr As-Siddiq said: O Messenger of Allah, teach me a comprehensive supplication to use in prayer. He said: Say: O Allah, I have wronged myself greatly, and none can forgive sins but You. So, forgive me with forgiveness from You and have mercy on me. Verily, You are the Oft-Forgiving, the Most Merciful. (Allahumma inni zalamtu nafsi zulman kathiran wa la yaghfirudh-dhunuba illa anta, faghfirli maghfiratan min 'indika warhamni innaka antal-ghafurur-rahim.) Then Abu Bakr said: And the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: And say: O Allah, forgive me for what I have committed and what I have delayed, for what I have concealed and what I have revealed, and for what I have exceeded [my limits]. You know best my shortcomings. You are the One who sends forth and the One who delays. There is no god but You. (Allahumma-ghfirli ma qaddamtu wa ma akhkhartu, wa ma asrartu wa ma afsahtu, wa ma asraftu, wa ma anta a'lamu bihi minni, antal-muqaddimu wa antal-mu'akhkhir, la ilaha illa anta.)