اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي مَا قَدَّمْتُ وَمَا أَخَّرْتُ، وَمَا أَسْرَرْتُ وَمَا أَعْلَنْتُ، وَمَا أَسْرَفْتُ، وَمَا أَنْتَ أَعْلَمُ بِهِ مِنِّي، أَنْتَ الْمُقَدِّمُ وَأَنْتَ الْمُؤَخِّرُ، لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ.
O Allah, forgive me for what I have done [in the past] and what I will do [in the future], what I have done in secret and what I have done openly, what I have exceeded in, and what You know better about me than I do. You are the One Who sends forth and the One Who delays. There is no god but You.
Allahumma-ghfir li ma qaddimtu wa ma akhkhartu, wa ma asrartu wa ma a'lantu, wa ma asraftu, wa ma anta a'lamu bihi minni, Antal-Muqaddimu wa Antal-Mu'akhkhiru, la ilaha illa Anta.
When to Read
This powerful supplication is particularly relevant when reflecting on past actions, especially those committed during periods of comfort and ease where one might have been less mindful of their deeds. It's a comprehensive plea for forgiveness suitable for any time, but its essence calls for introspection after moments of indulgence or heedlessness.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincerity and a true intention to repent. It's best recited when you are in a state of privacy, perhaps after prayer or before sleeping, allowing for deep reflection. Imagine presenting yourself before Allah, acknowledging His knowledge of all your actions, seen and unseen.
Virtues & Benefits
This dua is a comprehensive statement of Tawbah (repentance) that encompasses all aspects of our actions – past, present, future, secret, and public. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught this dua, indicating its immense value. By reciting it, we are seeking Allah's complete forgiveness, acknowledging His ultimate power over all affairs, and affirming our sole reliance on Him.
Source & Authentication
It was narrated from Ali that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ stood up to pray, he would say: Glorified be You, O Allah, and Your praise; blessed be Your name, and exalted be Your majesty. There is no god but You. He would say this three times. And when he bowed, he would say: Glorified be my Lord, the Great. And when he raised his head from bowing, he would say: May Allah hear him who praises Him. And he would say: O Allah, our Lord, to You be praise. And he would prostrate, saying: Glorified be my Lord, the Most High. And when he raised his head from prostration, he would say: O Allah, forgive me, and have mercy upon me, and guide me, and heal me, and grant me sustenance. And he would do this in all his prostrations. And when he sat after the last prostration, he would say: O Allah, forgive me for what I have done in the past and what I will do in the future, what I have done in secret and what I have done openly. What I have exceeded in, and what You know better than I. You are the One Who sends forth and You are the One Who delays. There is no god but You. [Sahih Muslim 771]. While the primary context of this hadith is the Prophet's ﷺ prayer, the specific dua for forgiveness was taught by him and is widely recognized as a potent supplication for repentance.