اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي ظَلَمْتُ نَفْسِي ظُلْمًا كَثِيرًا، وَلَا يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ، فَاغْفِرْ لِي مَغْفِرَةً مِنْ عِنْدِكَ، وَارْحَمْنِي، إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ
O Allah, I have wronged myself greatly, and none can forgive sins except You. So, grant me forgiveness from You, and have mercy upon me. Indeed, You are the Oft-Forgiving, the Most Merciful.
Allahumma inni zalamtu nafsi zulman kathiran, wa la yaghfirudh-dhunuba illa ant, faghfir li maghfiratan min 'indik, warhamni, innaka antal Ghafurur Rahim.
When to Read
This profound dua is recommended to be recited before sleeping. It serves as a beautiful way to end your day, acknowledging your shortcomings and seeking Allah's immense mercy as you prepare to rest.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincere intention and a humble heart. Reflect on the meaning of your words, recognizing your dependence on Allah for forgiveness and mercy. Ensure you are in a state of purity, as is generally recommended for remembrance of Allah.
Virtues & Benefits
This dua encapsulates a deep reliance on Allah. By acknowledging our own wrongdoing ('zulman kathiran' - greatly wronging myself) and affirming that only Allah forgives sins, we are actively seeking His mercy. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught us this dua, highlighting its importance for purifying ourselves before entering a state of unawareness during sleep. It's a practice that can bring peace of mind, knowing you've sought pardon for any transgressions of the day.
Source & Authentication
Narrated Abdullah: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, 'A believer sees his sins as if he were under a mountain, fearing lest it should fall on him. But a sinner sees his sins as if they were flies passing over his nose, he just says thus (with his hand) like this.' [Sahih al-Bukhari 6137]. And in another narration regarding this specific dua: Narrated Abu Bakr As-Siddiq: I said to the Prophet (ﷺ), 'O Allah's Messenger! Teach me a supplication to say in the night and in the day.' He said, 'O Abu Bakr! Say: Allahumma inni zalamtu nafsi zulman kathiran, wa la yaghfirudh-dhunuba illa ant, faghfir li maghfiratan min 'indik, warhamni, innaka antal Ghafurur Rahim.' (O Allah, I have wronged myself greatly, and none can forgive sins except You. So, grant me forgiveness from You, and have mercy upon me. Indeed, You are the Oft-Forgiving, the Most Merciful.) [Sahih al-Bukhari 6306].