اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَغْفِرُكَ لِمَا تُبْتُ إِلَيْكَ مِنْهُ، ثُمَّ عُدْتُ إِلَيْهِ، وَأَسْتَغْفِرُكَ لِمَا أَرَدْتُ بِهِ وَجْهَكَ الْكَرِيمَ فَخَالَطَنِي فِيهِ مَا لَا أُرِيدُ، وَأَسْتَغْفِرُكَ لِنِعْمَتِكَ عَلَيَّ فَأَسَأْتُ بِهَا إِلَى نَفْسِي، وَأَسْتَغْفِرُكَ مِنْ كُلِّ ذَنْبٍ أَذْنَبْتُهُ، وَنَسِيتُهُ، وَهُوَ عِنْدَكَ فِي كِتَابٍ مُبِينٍ، أَسْتَغْفِرُكَ مِنْ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ تَبَيَّنَ لِي مِنْهُ، وَقَدْ أَخْفَيْتُهُ عَنْ عِبَادِكَ، وَلَمْ أَسْتَغْفِرْكَ لَهُ، وَحَلُمْتَ عَنِّي، وَكَأَنِّي لَمْ أَعْصِكَ، فَعُدْتُ إِلَى مَعْصِيَتِكَ، فَأَسْتَغْفِرُكَ مِنْ عَطَاءِ ذَلِكَ كُلِّهِ، يَا أَرْحَمَ الرَّاحِمِينَ.
O Allah, I seek Your forgiveness for that which I repented to You of, then returned to. And I seek Your forgiveness for that for which I intended Your noble countenance, but there became mixed with it that which I did not intend. And I seek Your forgiveness for Your favor upon me, with which I wronged myself. And I seek Your forgiveness for every sin I committed and forgot, yet it is with You in a clear Book. I seek Your forgiveness for everything that became clear to me of it, and which I hid from Your servants, and for which I did not seek Your forgiveness, and You were patient with me as if I had not disobeyed You, so I returned to Your disobedience. I seek Your forgiveness for giving all of that [my attention/effort]. O Most Merciful of the merciful.
Allahumma inni astaghfiruka lima tubtu ilaika minhu, thumma 'udtu ilaihi, wa astaghfiruka lima aradtu bihi wajhaka al-kareema fakhalatani feehi ma la ureed, wa astaghfiruka li ni'matika 'alayya fa'asatu bihi ila nafsi, wa astaghfiruka min kulli dhanbin adhanabtuhu, wa naseetuhu, wa huwa 'indaka fee kitabin mubeen, astaghfiruka min kulli shay'in tabayyana lee minhu, wa qad akhfaituhu 'an 'ibadika, wa lam astaghfiruka lahu, wa halamta 'anni, wa ka'anni lam a'si'ka, fa'udtu ila ma'siyatika, fa astaghfiruka min 'ataa'i dhalika kullihi, ya Arhamar-rahimeen.
When to Read
Recite this dua especially when you feel overwhelmed by shame or guilt after falling into sin. It's a powerful expression of seeking forgiveness for a pattern of repentance and relapse, acknowledging the depth of one's shortcomings and Allah's continuous mercy.
How to Read
Recite with sincere remorse and a firm intention to avoid the sin in the future. Raise your hands if possible, facing the Qiblah, and pour your heart out to Allah. It is best to recite after each obligatory prayer, or during the last third of the night, which is a time when Allah descends to the lowest heaven. Ensure your heart is present, reflecting on the meaning of each phrase.
Virtues & Benefits
This dua is comprehensive in its seeking of forgiveness. It acknowledges not just overt sins, but also the mixed intentions, the misuse of blessings, and the sins that are forgotten by us but known to Allah. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught this to Al-Baraa' ibn 'Aazib, indicating its importance and sufficiency in covering various aspects of seeking repentance. It affirms Allah's attribute of being the Most Merciful (Arhamar-rahimeen), encouraging hope and renewed effort in seeking His pardon.
Source & Authentication
Al-Baraa' ibn 'Aazib (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) taught him a comprehensive supplication (dua) to say, and he mentioned that if one were to die on that night, they would die in a state of virtue (or goodness). This supplication is: 'O Allah, I seek Your forgiveness for that which I repented to You of, then returned to. And I seek Your forgiveness for that for which I intended Your noble countenance, but there became mixed with it that which I did not intend. And I seek Your forgiveness for Your favor upon me, with which I wronged myself. And I seek Your forgiveness for every sin I committed and forgot, yet it is with You in a clear Book. I seek Your forgiveness for everything that became clear to me of it, and which I hid from Your servants, and for which I did not seek Your forgiveness, and You were patient with me as if I had not disobeyed You, so I returned to Your disobedience. I seek Your forgiveness for giving all of that [my attention/effort]. O Most Merciful of the merciful.' (Musnad Ahmad, Hasan)