اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ رَبِّي لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ أَنْتَ خَلَقْتَنِي وَأَنَا عَبْدُكَ وَأَنَا عَلَى عَهْدِكَ وَوَعْدِكَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُ أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا صَنَعْتُ أَبُوءُ لَكَ بِنِعْمَتِكَ عَلَىَّ وَأَبُوءُ بِذَنْبِي فَاغْفِرْ لِي فَإِنَّهُ لاَ يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلاَّ أَنْتَ
O Allah, You are my Lord. There is no deity worthy of worship except You. You created me, and I am Your slave, and 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 yaghfirudh-dhunuba illa Anta.
When to Read
This profound supplication, Sayyid al-Istighfar, is the master of seeking forgiveness and is immensely beneficial for any sincere repentance. For an individual returning to Allah after a grave error like apostasy, the *first* and most critical step is to re-affirm the Shahada (declaration of faith). Following this re-entry into Islam, reciting this dua is highly encouraged to solidify one's tawbah (repentance) and seek Allah's complete forgiveness for past transgressions. It is particularly virtuous to recite it in the morning and evening, seeking Allah's protection and acknowledging one's shortcomings.
How to Read
To recite Sayyid al-Istighfar correctly, begin with a pure and sincere intention, having already affirmed your faith by reciting the Shahada if you are returning to Islam after apostasy. As you pronounce each phrase, reflect deeply on its meaning: acknowledge Allah's absolute Lordship, your position as His slave, and your commitment to His covenant. Humbly seek refuge from your past wrongs, express gratitude for His blessings, and admit your sins, firmly believing that only He can forgive. This profound sincerity transforms mere recitation into true worship and repentance.
Virtues & Benefits
The Prophet ﷺ said, "The master of seeking forgiveness is: 'O Allah, You are my Lord...'" He then added, "Whoever says this during the day, believing in it firmly, and dies on the same day before evening, he will be among the people of Paradise; and whoever says it during the night, believing in it firmly, and dies before morning, he will be among the people of Paradise." (Sahih al-Bukhari 6306). For someone who has turned away and then sincerely returned to Allah, reciting this dua with conviction brings the immense promise of forgiveness for all sins, purification of the heart, and by Allah's boundless mercy, entrance into Paradise, signaling a complete spiritual renewal.
Source & Authentication
Shaddad ibn Aws (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet ﷺ said: "The master of seeking forgiveness is: 'O Allah, You are my Lord. There is no deity worthy of worship except You. You created me, and I am Your slave, and 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.' Whoever says it during the day, believing in it firmly, and dies on the same day before evening, he will be among the people of Paradise; and whoever says it during the night, believing in it firmly, and dies before morning, he will be among the people of Paradise." — Sahih al-Bukhari 6306