اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ رَبِّي لا إِلَهَ إِلا أَنْتَ خَلَقْتَنِي وَأَنَا عَبْدُكَ وَأَنَا عَلَى عَهْدِكَ وَوَعْدِكَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُ أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا صَنَعْتُ أَبُوءُ لَكَ بِنِعْمَتِكَ عَلَيَّ وَأَبُوءُ بِذَنْبِي فَاغْفِرْ لِي فَإِنَّهُ لا يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلا أَنْتَ
O Allah, You are my Lord, there is no deity worthy of worship except You. You created me, and I am Your slave. I am abiding by Your covenant and promise as much as I can. I seek refuge in You from the evil of what I have done. I acknowledge Your blessings upon me, and I acknowledge my sins. So forgive me, for indeed, none can forgive sins except You.
Allahumma anta Rabbi la ilaha illa Anta, Khalaqtani wa ana `abduka, wa ana `ala `ahdika wa wa`dika mastata`tu, A`udhu bika min sharri ma sana`tu, abu'u laka bini`matika `alayya, wa abu'u bidhanbi faghfir li fa innahu la yaghfiru adh-dhunuba illa Anta.
When to Read
Life sometimes throws us off balance, and in moments of weakness or anger, we might utter words or act in ways we instantly regret. If you find yourself having disrespected, mocked, or spoken harshly to an elderly person – whether a family member, a neighbor, or anyone older than you – know that immediate repentance (tawbah) is crucial. This powerful dua, known as Sayyid al-Istighfar, is the master of seeking forgiveness and is the most comprehensive way to turn back to Allah after such a transgression. Recite it as soon as you realize your mistake, seeking Allah's pardon for your actions and the negative impact they might have had. It's an affirmation of humility and a recognition of the immense value Islam places on respecting our elders.
How to Read
Approach this dua with a heart full of sincerity and regret. It's not just about reciting words; it's about deeply understanding their meaning and truly feeling remorse for your actions. 1. **Perform Wudu:** It is always recommended to be in a state of ritual purity. 2. **Face Qibla (Optional but Recommended):** Turn towards the Ka'bah, as it enhances the focus and reverence of your supplication. 3. **Reflect and Acknowledge:** Before you begin, take a moment to reflect on your specific transgression. Acknowledge your mistake to Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) and the seriousness of disrespecting elders, which is contrary to Islamic teachings. 4. **Recite with Understanding:** Go through each phrase, internalizing its meaning – acknowledging Allah's Lordship, your servitude, and your complete reliance on His forgiveness. 5. **Intend to Amend:** Make a firm resolution to never repeat such an act. If possible and appropriate, seek forgiveness from the person you wronged, and try to make amends through kind words or actions. 6. **Trust in Allah's Mercy:** Have firm conviction that Allah is Most Forgiving and Most Merciful, and that He will accept your sincere repentance.
Virtues & Benefits
Reciting Sayyid al-Istighfar carries immense virtues: * **Complete Forgiveness:** The Prophet ﷺ said, 'If somebody recites this invocation during the day with firm faith in it, and dies on the same day before evening, he will be from the people of Paradise; and if somebody recites it at night with firm faith in it, and dies before morning, he will be from the people of Paradise.' (Sahih al-Bukhari 6306). This highlights its profound power for general repentance. * **Protection from Evil:** By seeking refuge in Allah from the evil of what you have done, you are asking for protection from the consequences of your sins in this life and the Hereafter. * **Honoring Allah through Repentance:** Acknowledging your sins and seeking Allah's forgiveness is a form of worshipping Him and affirming His attribute of being Al-Ghaffar (The All-Forgiving). Beyond the general benefits of Sayyid al-Istighfar, this specific repentance also addresses the grave matter of disrespecting elders. Our Prophet ﷺ emphasized this virtue, saying, 'Among the ways of glorifying Allah is to show honor to a gray-haired Muslim.' (Sunan Abi Dawud 4843). By repenting, you are rectifying your mistake and striving to uphold this noble Islamic teaching, pleasing Allah and aligning yourself with the Prophetic sunnah.
Source & Authentication
Shaddad bin Aus (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (ﷺ) said, "The most superior way of asking for forgiveness is: > **Arabic:** اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ رَبِّي لا إِلَهَ إِلا أَنْتَ خَلَقْتَنِي وَأَنَا عَبْدُكَ وَأَنَا عَلَى عَهْدِكَ وَوَعْدِكَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُ أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا صَنَعْتُ أَبُوءُ لَكَ بِنِعْمَتِكَ عَلَيَّ وَأَبُوءُ بِذَنْبِي فَاغْفِرْ لِي فَإِنَّهُ لا يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلا أَنْتَ > > **Translation:** O Allah, You are my Lord, there is no deity worthy of worship except You. You created me, and I am Your slave. I am abiding by Your covenant and promise as much as I can. I seek refuge in You from the evil of what I have done. I acknowledge Your blessings upon me, and I acknowledge my sins. So forgive me, for indeed, none can forgive sins except You. > > **Transliteration:** Allahumma anta Rabbi la ilaha illa Anta, Khalaqtani wa ana `abduka, wa ana `ala `ahdika wa wa`dika mastata`tu, A`udhu bika min sharri ma sana`tu, abu'u laka bini`matika `alayya, wa abu'u bidhanbi faghfir li fa innahu la yaghfiru adh-dhunuba illa Anta. The Prophet (ﷺ) added. "If somebody recites this invocation during the day with firm faith in it, and dies on the same day before evening, he will be from the people of Paradise; and if somebody recites it at night with firm faith in it, and dies before morning, he will be from the people of Paradise." — Sahih al-Bukhari 6306