لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا أَنتَ سُبْحَانَكَ إِنِّي كُنتُ مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ
There is no god but You; glory be to You! Indeed, I have been of the wrongdoers.
La ilaha illa Anta, Subhanaka, Inni kuntu minaz-zalimin.
When to Read
We've all been there. That jolt awake, the sun already streaming through the window, and a sinking feeling in your chest – Fajr prayer time has long passed. It's a moment of deep regret and perhaps a touch of despair. When you find yourself in this situation, having missed a prayer due to sleep, your first and most immediate action is to perform ablution (wudu or ghusl, if needed) and pray the missed prayer. This is in accordance with the clear instruction of the Prophet ﷺ: "Whoever forgets a prayer or sleeps through it, then its expiation is to pray it when he remembers it." — Sahih Muslim 684. Alongside this immediate action, this is a moment for profound reflection and turning to Allah in sincere repentance. Recite this dua of Prophet Yunus (peace be upon him) as you feel that regret, acknowledging your shortcoming and reaffirming Allah's perfect transcendence. It's a personal plea for mercy, a confession of being among the wrongdoers, and an affirmation of Tawhid.
How to Read
Recite this beautiful dua with a heart full of sincerity and humility, internalizing its profound meaning. It's not a replacement for the prayer you missed, but rather a spiritual accompaniment to your immediate action of making up the salah. Let the words resonate within you, expressing your regret for falling short and seeking Allah's forgiveness. Remember to also make specific *istighfar* (seeking forgiveness) by saying 'Astaghfirullah' and to make firm intentions to take preventative measures in the future, such as setting multiple alarms, going to bed earlier, or asking someone to wake you. This dua reinforces that mindset of accountability and reliance on Allah for strength.
Virtues & Benefits
The benefits of reciting this particular dua are immense, as narrated by the Prophet ﷺ himself. Sa’d (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, "The supplication of Dhun-Noon (Prophet Yunus) when he supplicated while he was in the belly of the whale was: > **Arabic:** لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا أَنتَ سُبْحَانَكَ إِنِّي كُنتُ مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ > **Translation:** 'There is no god but You; glory be to You! Indeed, I have been of the wrongdoers.' > **Transliteration:** *La ilaha illa Anta, Subhanaka, Inni kuntu minaz-zalimin.* > No Muslim supplicates with it concerning anything but Allah will answer him." — Jami` at-Tirmidhi 3505. This highlights its power in times of distress, regret, or when seeking Allah's help after acknowledging a mistake. Furthermore, by immediately making up the missed prayer, you fulfill the Prophet's instruction and earn expiation for your oversight. This combined approach of sincere dua and prompt action is a pathway to Allah's mercy and acceptance, transforming a moment of error into an opportunity for repentance and spiritual growth. It reinforces your commitment to fulfilling your obligations and trusting in Allah's boundless compassion.
Source & Authentication
Sa’d (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, "The supplication of Dhun-Noon (Prophet Yunus) when he supplicated while he was in the belly of the whale was: > **Arabic:** لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا أَنتَ سُبْحَانَكَ إِنِّي كُنتُ مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ > **Translation:** 'There is no god but You; glory be to You! Indeed, I have been of the wrongdoers.' > **Transliteration:** *La ilaha illa Anta, Subhanaka, Inni kuntu minaz-zalimin.* > No Muslim supplicates with it concerning anything but Allah will answer him." — Jami` at-Tirmidhi 3505