Islam teaches believers to turn to Allah with sincere repentance and seek His forgiveness. The Quran repeatedly encourages believers to ask Allah for pardon, emphasizing that He is the Most Merciful and Ever-Forgiving.
رَبَّنَا ظَلَمْنَا أَنْفُسَنَا وَإِنْ لَمْ تَغْفِرْ لَنَا وَتَرْحَمْنَا لَنَكُونَنَّ مِنَ الْخَاسِرِينَ
Rabbana zalamna anfusana wa illam taghfir lana wa tarhamna lanakunanna minal-khasireen.
Our Lord, we have wronged ourselves, and if You do not forgive us and have mercy upon us, we will surely be among the losers.
Quran/Hadith — The Holy Quran and Sunnah — Quran 3:135
Authenticity: Quranic verse and authentic supplications
Meaning and Explanation
A sincere believer acknowledges wrongdoing, takes responsibility for their actions, and turns back to Allah to ask for His forgiveness and mercy to avoid failure in this life and the next.
When to Recite
After committing a sin, during daily repentance, in sujood (prostration), during the last third of the night, and whenever seeking Allah’s pardon.
How to Recite
Recite the dua with a remorseful heart, understand its deep meaning, genuinely repent from the sin, and make a firm resolve not to return to it.
Important Notes
Forgiveness in Islam requires sincere Tawbah. A dua is a spiritual tool but must be accompanied by abandoning the sin and making amends if others were harmed.
Benefits
Encourages sincere repentance (Tawbah), fosters humility, keeps hope in Allah’s mercy alive, and serves as a means to erase sins.
Additional Duas
اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ رَبِّي لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ خَلَقْتَنِي وَأَنَا عَبْدُكَ...
Content type: Quran/Hadith
Tags:
dua for forgiveness
istighfar dua
repentance
Allah forgiveness