اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِمَنْ سَبَقَنَا بِالإِيمَانِ، اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِأَحْيَائِنَا وَمَيِّتِنَا، وَشَاهِدِنَا وَغَائِبِنَا، وَذَكَرِنَا وَأُنْثَانَا، وَصَغِيرِنَا وَكَبِيرِنَا، وَحُرِّنَا وَمَمْلُوكِنَا، اللَّهُمَّ مَنْ أَحْيَيْتَهُ مِنَّا فَأَحْيِهِ عَلَى الإِسْلامِ، وَمَنْ تَوَفَّيْتَهُ مِنَّا فَتَوَفَّهُ عَلَى الإِيمَانِ، اللَّهُمَّ لاَ تَحْرِمْنَا أَجْرَهُ وَلاَ تُضِلَّنَا بَعْدَهُ.
O Allah, forgive those who preceded us in faith. O Allah, forgive our living and our dead, those who are present and those who are absent, our males and our females, our young and our old, our free and our owned. O Allah, whoever You keep alive among us, keep him alive upon Islam, and whoever You cause to die among us, cause him to die upon faith. O Allah, do not deprive us of his reward and do not let us go astray after him.
Allahumma-ghfir li man sabaqana bil-iman. Allahumma-ghfir li ahya'ina wa mayyitina, wa shahidina wa gha'ibina, wa dhakarina wa unthana, wa saghirina wa kabirina, wa hurrina wa mamlukina. Allahumma man ahya'tahu minna fa-ahyihi 'ala al-Islam, wa man tawaffaytahu minna fa-tawaffahu 'ala al-iman. Allahumma la tahrimna ajrahu wa la tudhillana ba'dahu.
When to Read
This profound supplication is most fitting to be recited when thinking of the deceased members of our Ummah, or during times of reflection on our own mortality and the collective journey of the Muslim community. It is particularly relevant during funerals, at grave sites, or simply as a personal prayer offered at any time to remember and pray for the Muslims who have passed on.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincerity and a heartfelt yearning for Allah's mercy. It is recommended to be in a state of purity (wudu) if possible, though not strictly required for all forms of remembrance. Focus on the meaning of each phrase, visualizing the vastness of the Ummah and our interconnectedness in faith, both in life and in death. Raising your hands slightly, as is customary in many duas, can enhance the feeling of supplication.
Virtues & Benefits
This comprehensive dua encompasses a beautiful expression of our responsibility towards the entire Ummah, both past and present. By asking for forgiveness for the departed, we fulfill a part of our obligation to our brothers and sisters in faith, seeking Allah's immense mercy for them. It also serves as a powerful reminder of our own journey, encouraging us to live and die upon Islam and Iman, and to remain steadfast in our faith. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught us this dua, showing its importance in connecting the living with the deceased and in fostering a sense of communal remembrance and care within the Ummah.
Source & Authentication
Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: 'When one of you prays for his deceased brother and asks Allah to forgive him and to bestow mercy upon him, this is for him (the deceased) to the extent of the number of forty years of their residence in the Fire.' Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) also reported: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) taught us this dua to say: 'Allahumma-ghfir li man sabaqana bil-iman. Allahumma-ghfir li ahya'ina wa mayyitina, wa shahidina wa gha'ibina, wa dhakarina wa unthana, wa saghirina wa kabirina, wa hurrina wa mamlukina. Allahumma man ahya'tahu minna fa-ahyihi 'ala al-Islam, wa man tawaffaytahu minna fa-tawaffahu 'ala al-iman. Allahumma la tahrimna ajrahu wa la tudhillana ba'dahu.'