اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي ظَلَمْتُ نَفْسِي ظُلْمًا كَثِيرًا، وَلَا يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ، فَاغْفِرْ لِي مَغْفِرَةً مِنْ عِنْدِكَ، وَارْحَمْنِي إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ
O Allah, I have wronged myself greatly, and none can forgive sins except You. So, grant me forgiveness from You and have mercy upon me. Indeed, You are the Oft-Forgiving, the Most Merciful.
Allahumma inni dhalamtu nafsi dhulman katheeran, wa la yaghfirudh-dhunooba illa anta, faghfir li maghfiratan min 'indika, warhamni innaka antal Ghafoorur Raheem.
When to Read
This dua is profoundly suited for anyone who has committed an injustice, whether it's against themselves, another person, or even in their duties towards Allah. It's a powerful plea for mercy and forgiveness to be recited immediately after recognizing the wrong, or at any time one feels the weight of their transgression. It can be a regular part of one's supplications, especially during times of reflection like the last third of the night or after prayers.
How to Read
Recite this dua with a sincere heart, acknowledging your wrongdoing without making excuses. Utter the words with humility, recognizing that forgiveness and mercy are solely in the hands of Allah. Imagine yourself standing before Allah, confessing your fault and desperately seeking His pardon. This is not just a recitation; it's a heartfelt conversation with your Creator, seeking to mend the broken relationship caused by your actions.
Virtues & Benefits
This specific supplication, taught by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to his uncle Al-Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him), is a comprehensive way to seek forgiveness for sins, especially those involving injustice. It combines acknowledgment of wrongdoing ('dhulman katheeran' - greatly wronged myself), the unique power of Allah to forgive ('wa la yaghfirudh-dhunooba illa anta' - and none can forgive sins except You), a direct request for divine pardon ('faghfir li maghfiratan min 'indika' - so grant me forgiveness from You), and a plea for His mercy ('warhamni' - have mercy upon me). The concluding attributes of Allah ('Innakal Ghafoorur Raheem' - Indeed, You are the Oft-Forgiving, the Most Merciful) reinforce the hope that Allah will accept the repentance.
Source & Authentication
Narrated Ibn 'Abbas: Al-Abbas bin 'Abdul Muttalib said, "O Allah's Messenger! I want to praise my Lord." The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "O Abbas! O my uncle! Go and teach them to recite this invocation (Dua)." Al-Abbas said, "What is this invocation?" The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Say: O Allah! I ask You for all the good I know and all the good I do not know, and I seek refuge in You from all the evil I know and all the evil I do not know, and I ask You for the good which is destined to be, and the good which is not destined to be. And I ask for the completion of the blessing of the religion, and I ask for goodness in the body, and I ask for goodness in the offspring, and I ask for goodness in returning the possessions and wealth, and I ask for goodness in deed and I ask for the highest Paradise and the salvation from the Hellfire. O Allah! We ask You with the good that Your creatures asked You with, and we ask You with the good that Your creation did not ask You with, and what You were not asked with. O Allah! Possessor of glory and generosity, Possessor of bounty, we ask You (O Allah!) for the Paradise, and what brings one closer to it from word or deed, and we seek refuge in You from the Hellfire and from what brings one closer to it from word or deed. And we ask You that You make every decree that You decree for us, good." Then the Prophet (ﷺ) said to Al-Abbas: "Teach this invocation (Dua) and hold it to your heart, and teach it to those who are your children and your wives." Al-Abbas said, "I have taught it to my children and my wives, and they recite it every morning and evening and they praise Allah." And in another narration, it is narrated that the Prophet (ﷺ) said to Al-Abbas: "O Abbas, O uncle of the Messenger of Allah! Ask Allah to grant you security in this world and the Hereafter. Recite: O Allah! I have wronged myself greatly, and none can forgive sins except You. So, grant me forgiveness from You and have mercy upon me. Indeed, You are the Oft-Forgiving, the Most Merciful." [Sahih al-Bukhari 6306]