اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ رَبِّي لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ، خَلَقْتَنِي وَأَنَا عَبْدُكَ، وَأَنَا عَلَى عَهْدِكَ وَوَعْدِكَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُ، أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا صَنَعْتُ، أَبُوءُ لَكَ بِنِعْمَتِكَ عَلَيَّ، وَأَبُوءُ بِذَنْبِي فَاغْفِرْ لِي، فَإِنَّهُ لَا يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ
O Allah, You are my Lord. There is no god but You. You created me and I am Your servant. I abide by Your covenant and Your promise as best as I can. I seek refuge in You from the evil of what I have done. I acknowledge Your favor upon me, and I acknowledge my sin. Forgive me, for indeed, no one forgives 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 bi ni'matika 'alayya, wa abu'u bi dhanbi faghfir li, fa innahu la yaghfirudh-dhunuba illa Anta.
When to Read
This is the master of all seeking forgiveness (Sayyid al-Istighfar). The Prophet ﷺ said, 'Whoever says it during the day with firm belief in it, and dies on the same day before the evening, he will be among the people of Paradise. And whoever says it at night with firm belief in it, and dies before the morning, he will be among the people of Paradise.' It is a powerful dua to recite daily, especially in the morning and evening, and at any time one feels the need to repent and seek Allah's forgiveness.
How to Read
Recite with sincerity and a sincere intention to repent. Believe deeply in Allah's power to forgive and His promise of Paradise for those who sincerely turn to Him. It is best recited when one is calm and able to focus on the meaning of the words.
Virtues & Benefits
This dua is explicitly called 'Sayyid al-Istighfar' (the master of seeking forgiveness). Its recitation with conviction guarantees Paradise if one dies on that same day (if recited during the day) or on that same night (if recited at night). It encompasses acknowledging Allah's Lordship, His creation, one's servitude, commitment to His commands, seeking refuge from evil deeds, acknowledging His blessings, and confessing one's sins, all leading to His forgiveness.
Source & Authentication
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The most superior way of asking for forgiveness from Allah is to say: (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 bi ni'matika 'alayya, wa abu'u bi dhanbi faghfir li, fa innahu la yaghfirudh-dhunuba illa Anta.) 'Whoever says it during the day with firm belief in it, and dies on the same day before the evening, he will be among the people of Paradise. And whoever says it at night with firm belief in it, and dies before the morning, he will be among the people of Paradise.' Sahih al-Bukhari 6306.