اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي ذَنْبِي كُلَّهُ، دِقَّهُ وَجِلَّهُ، أَوَّلَهُ وَآخِرَهُ، عَلَانِيَتَهُ وَسِرَّهُ
O Allah, forgive me my sin, all of it, the minor and the major, the first and the last, the apparent and the secret.
Allahumma-ghfirli dhanbi kullahu, diqqahu wa jillahu, awwalahu wa akhirahu, 'alaniyatahu wa sirrahu
When to Read
This profound dua is incredibly comprehensive and can be recited at any time. It is particularly fitting when reflecting on one's shortcomings, especially those sins that linger in the heart – like hidden envy, pride, or arrogance – which are often harder to identify and repent from. Recite it after salah, during the night, or whenever you feel the need to seek Allah's complete forgiveness.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincere intention and a hopeful heart. Understand that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught us this comprehensive plea, encompassing all types of sins, visible and hidden. This means acknowledging that even the sins of the heart – the intentions, the whispers of Shaytan, the internal struggles – are known to Allah, and He is the Most Forgiving. Raise your hands as you make dua, especially in the latter part of the night, and feel the weight of your sins lifting as you seek Allah's mercy.
Virtues & Benefits
This dua is a powerful tool for seeking comprehensive forgiveness. By explicitly asking Allah to forgive the 'minor and the major, the first and the last, the apparent and the secret,' we are acknowledging the vastness of His mercy and the totality of our sins. The 'sins of the heart' (dhamb al-sirr) are often the most insidious, as they can lead to outward actions and affect our relationship with Allah and others. This dua encourages us to repent not just for our physical actions but also for the internal states that displease Allah, such as ill intentions, arrogance, or envy. It embodies the spirit of Tawbah (repentance) which is central to our faith.
Source & Authentication
It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ would say when he woke up: 'Allahumma Rabbi Jibrila wa Mika’ila wa Israfila, Fatira as-samawati wal-ard, 'alimal-ghaibi wash-shahadati, anta tahkumu bayna 'ibadika fima kanu fihi yakhtalifun, ihdini limakhtulifa fihi minal-haqqi bi idhnika, innaka tahdi man tasha'u ila siratim-mustaqim.' (O Allah, Lord of Jibril, Mika'il, and Israfil, Creator of the heavens and the earth, Knower of the unseen and the seen, You judge between Your servants in that wherein they used to differ. Guide me to the truth about which they differed by Your permission. Indeed, You guide whom You will to a straight path.) He would also say: 'Allahumma Aghfirli dhanbi kullahu, diqqahu wa jillahu, awwalahu wa akhirahu, 'alaniyatahu wa sirrahu, wal-muminina wal-muminat wal-muslimina wal-muslimat. Al-hamdu lillahi Rabbil-'alamin. La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah.' (O Allah, forgive me my sin, all of it, the minor and the major, the first and the last, the apparent and the secret. And forgive the believing men and believing women, and the Muslim men and Muslim women. Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds. There is no might and no power except with Allah.)