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Mistakes are a natural part of being human. At times, you may forget the teachings of Islam and fall into sin. However, the best among sinners are those who feel regret for their actions and turn to Allah in repentance. Anas reported Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) as saying,
‘All the sons of Adam are sinners, but the best of sinners are those who are given to repentance.’
(Mishkat al-Masabih 2341)
Allah, in His infinite mercy, has allowed His creatures to seek forgiveness for their sins. One of the most effective ways to do so is through dua. In this blog, eight powerful duas for asking Allah for forgiveness have been shared, adapted from the Quran and hadith.
Allah is Al-Ghaffar (the All-Forgiving) and Al-Ghafoor (the Most Forgiving). He is the One who forgives all sins, whether they are small or large, and He continues to forgive repeatedly.
It is also mentioned in the Quran:
‘Whoever does evil or wrongs themselves but afterwards (sincerely) seeks God’s Forgiveness, they will find God Very Forgiving (and) Most Merciful.’
(Surah An-Nisa, verse 110)
Sometimes, you may wonder if Allah will forgive you for your sins. So this verse serves as a reminder to keep seeking Allah’s forgiveness and mercy, as He is the Most Merciful and Generous to those who repent and turn to Him for help. In addition to this, seeking Allah’s forgiveness opens the door to many blessings:
a. According to different narrations, seeking forgiveness gives relief from stress and anxiety.
b. It protects from the punishment of the sins as mentioned in the Holy Quran,
‘Nor would He ever punish them if they prayed for forgiveness.’
(Surah Al Araf, verse 33)
c. Istighfar cleanses the heart and soul. It removes feelings of guilt and regret, replacing them with peace, hope, and relief.
Before reciting these duas, it is important to fulfil these conditions: acknowledge your mistakes, feel sincere regret, seek forgiveness, and commit not to repeat the sin. If you want to increase your focus and feel more connected to Allah when making dua for forgiveness, then explore this carefully curated collection of prayer beads, designed to inspire focus and spirituality during your worship!
Below is the list of the eight most powerful duas for seeking forgiveness, inspired by the Quran and Sunnah.
Did you know that the Prophet (PBUH) used to recite this dua a hundred times in one sitting? You, too, can seek forgiveness for your sins by reciting this dua, as it is the Sunnah of our beloved Prophet (PBUH):
رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي، وَتُبْ عَلَيَّ إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِيمُ
Rabbighfir li wa tub 'alayya innaka Anta At-Tawwabur-Raheem
‘My Lord! Forgive me and pardon me. Indeed, You are the Oft-Returning with compassion and Ever Merciful.’
(Riyad as-Salihin 1872)
Reciting this powerful dua not only seeks Allah's forgiveness but also invites His mercy, as the Prophet (PBUH) showed through his own example.
The Prophet (PBUH) said that the most superior way of asking for forgiveness from Allah is this dua:
اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ رَبِّي، لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ، خَلَقْتَنِي وَأَنَا عَبْدُكَ، وَأَنَا عَلَى عَهْدِكَ وَوَعْدِكَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُ، أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَ صَنَعْتُ، أَبُوءُ لَكَ بِنِعْمَتِكَ عَلَيَّ، وَأَبُوءُ بِذَنْبِي، فَاغْفِرْ لِي، فَإِنَّهُ لَا يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ
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 `alaiya, wa abu'u laka bidhanbi faghfir lee fa innahu la yaghfiru adhdhunuba illa anta
‘O Allah! You are my Lord. There is no true god except You. You have created me, and I am Your slave, and I hold to Your Covenant as far as I can. I seek refuge in You from the evil of what I have done. I acknowledge the favours that You have bestowed upon me, and I confess my sins. Pardon me, for none but You has the power to pardon.’
(Sahih al-Bukhari 6306)
The Prophet (PBUH) said that if someone recites this dua during the day with full belief and dies before the evening, they will be among the people of Paradise. Similarly, if someone recites it at night with firm faith and dies before the morning, they will be among the people of Paradise.
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) taught that seeking forgiveness through this dua is a way to cleanse your heart, gain Allah's mercy, and strengthen your connection with Him.
سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَبِحَمْدِهِ أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ وَأَتُوبُ إِلَيْه
Subhaana-Allahi wa bihamdihi, Astaghfirullaha, wa atuubu ilaihi
‘Glory be to Allah (Allah is free from imperfection), and I begin by praising Him. I beg forgiveness from Allah, and I turn to Him in repentance.’
(Riya As-Salihin 1877)
It reflects a deep understanding that no matter how many times you fall into sin, Allah's mercy is greater, and He is always ready to forgive those who truly repent.
The following dua teaches one to ask Allah for both forgiveness and mercy, acknowledging His endless compassion. Forgiveness means removing and hiding sins, while His mercy guides one to act in a good and righteous way.
وَقُل رَّبِّ ٱغْفِرْ وَٱرْحَمْ وَأَنتَ خَيْرُ ٱلرَّٰحِمِينَ
Rabbighfir warham wa anta khayrur-rahimin
‘My Lord! Forgive and show mercy, for You are the Best of those who show mercy!’
(Surah Al-Mu’minun, verse 118)
This dua is a powerful plea to Allah for forgiveness of all sins, both past and future, whether committed in private or public. It acknowledges that Allah is the most knowledgeable and capable, knowing everything, including the sins that one may not even be aware of.
اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي مَا قَدَّمْتُ وَمَا أَخَّرْتُ وَمَا أَسْرَرْتُ وَمَا أَعْلَنْتُ وَمَا أَنْتَ أَعْلَمُ بِهِ مِنِّي أَنْتَ الْمُقَدِّمُ وَأَنْتَ الْمُؤَخِّرُ وَأَنْتَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
Allahumma-ghfir lii maa qaddamtu wa maa akh-khortu wa maa asrortu wa maa a’lantu wa maa anta a’lamu bihi minnii, anta Al-Muqaddimu wa anta Al-Muakh-khiru wa anta alaa kulli shai-in qadir
‘O Allah! Forgive me for those sins which I committed in the past and that which I may commit in the future, the sins that I have committed in privacy or in public and all the sins of which You are better aware than I am of myself. You are The One who brings forward and reprieve as You wish and indeed You are over all things capable.’
(Riyad as-Salihin 1476)
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This dua is a powerful prayer that asks for forgiveness of sins and blessings in life, home, and sustenance. It reminds everyone that when Allah forgives, He brings peace and blessings that help you to find comfort and prosperity in both your everyday lives and spiritual journeys.
اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي ذَنْبِي، وَوَسِّعْ لِي فِي دَارِي، وَبَارِكْ لِي فِي رِزْقِي
Allahumma-ghfir lii zanbii, wa-wassi’ lii fii daarii, wa-baarik lii fii rizqii
‘Oh Allah, forgive my sins, make my home ample for me, and bless me in my sustenance.’
(Al-Azkar, Imam An-Nawawi)
This dua teaches the importance of asking Allah for forgiveness, not only for yourself but also for other believers. It encourages keeping the heart free from bad feelings toward others and seeking Allah’s mercy for all who share the faith.
رَبَّنَا اغْفِرْلَنَا وَلِإِخْوَانِنَا الَّذِينَ سَبَقُونَا بِالإِيمَانِ وَلَا تَجْعَلْ فِي قُلُوبِنَا غِلًّا لِّلَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ رَبَّنَا إِنَّكَ رَءُوفُ رَّحِيم
Rabbana-ghfir lana wa li ikhwaninal-laziina sabaquuna bil-iman, wa laa taj-al fii quluubina ghillal-lil lazina aamanuu, rabbanaa innaka raufur-rahim
‘Our Lord! Forgive us and our fellow believers who preceded us in faith, and do not allow bitterness into our hearts towards those who believe. Our Lord! Indeed, You are Ever Gracious, Most Merciful.’
(Surah Al-Hashr, verse 10)
The night of Laylatul Qadr, also known as the Night of Decree, is one of the holiest nights in Islam. It is a night when the Quran was revealed and holds immense blessings and rewards. Aisha (RA) once asked the Prophet (PBUH) what supplication should be recited on this blessed night. Our beloved Prophet (PBUH) recommended the following dua:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي
Allahumma innaka 'afuwwun tuhibbul-'afwa, fa'fu 'anni
‘O Allah, You are Forgiving and love forgiveness, so forgive me.’
(Sunan Ibn Majah 3850)
This dua not only reflects Allah's mercy but also reminds believers of His love for forgiveness. It is a simple yet profound way to seek pardon and draw closer to Allah on this night of great spiritual significance.
Do you know one of the best times to seek forgiveness? The last third of the night is one of the most special and blessed times for seeking forgiveness. According to a narration from Abu Huraira, the Prophet (PBUH) said,
‘Our Lord, the Blessed, the Superior, comes every night down on the nearest Heaven to us when the last third of the night remains, saying: "Is there anyone to invoke Me, so that I may respond to invocation? Is there anyone to ask Me, so that I may grant him his request? Is there anyone seeking My forgiveness, so that I may forgive him?”’
(Sahih al-Bukhari 1145)
In this precious moment, the believers should take advantage of the stillness of the night to seek Allah’s forgiveness and make their supplications, knowing that their duas will be accepted, Insha’Allah.
Curious to know more about the special times when duas are most likely to be accepted? Don’t miss out on this detailed blog!
Seeking forgiveness from Allah is not just a way to cleanse oneself of sins but also a means of finding relief and blessings in life. It helps to remove worries, bring relief, and open doors to Allah's mercy. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said,
‘If anyone constantly seeks pardon (from Allah), Allah will appoint for him a way out of every distress and a relief from every anxiety and will provide sustenance for him from where he expects not.’
(Riyad As-Salihin 1873)
This shows that asking for forgiveness brings blessings and solutions to life's problems. By regularly seeking Allah’s forgiveness, one can find comfort and support in every moment.
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