Sayyid al-Istighfar | The Best Dua for Seeking Forgiveness

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ specifically described this supplication as 'Sayyid al-Istighfar' (The Master/Chief of seeking forgiveness) due to its comprehensive nature. It combines the declaration of Tawheed (Oneness of Allah), acknowledgment of one's creation, commitment to faith, and sincere repentance for sins, making it one of the most powerful duas in Islam.

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 لَكَ بِذَنْبِي فَاغْفِرْ لِي، فَإِنَّهُ لَا يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ

Transliteration

Allahumma anta Rabbi la ilaha illa anta, khalaqtani wa ana 'abduka, wa ana 'ala 'ahdika wa wa'dika mas-tata'tu, a'udhu bika min sharri ma sana'tu, abu'u laka bini'matika 'alayya, wa abu'u laka bidhanbi faghfir li, fa innahu la yaghfirudh-dhunuba illa ant.

Translation

O Allah, You are my Lord. There is no deity except You. You created me and I am Your servant. I remain committed to Your covenant and promise as much as I am able. I seek refuge in You from the evil of what I have done. I acknowledge Your favor upon me, and I acknowledge my sin, so forgive me, for none forgives sins except You.

Source

Hadith — Sahih al-Bukhari — Sahih al-Bukhari 6306

Authenticity: Sahih (Authentic)

Meaning and Explanation

Sayyid al-Istighfar combines pure Tawhid, humility, gratitude for divine favor, and complete acknowledgment of one's sins while seeking sincere repentance from the only One who can forgive—Allah.

When to Recite

Recommended to be recited every morning (after Fajr) and every evening (after Maghrib) as part of the daily adhkar.

How to Recite

Recite with complete conviction (Yaqeen), presence of heart, and deep reflection upon its profound meanings of servitude and repentance.

Important Notes

The complete wording, exactly as authentically narrated in Sahih al-Bukhari, must be preserved. It should not be shortened, as the comprehensive nature of the dua is central to its virtue.

Benefits

The Prophet ﷺ said: 'Whoever recites it during the day with firm faith in it, and dies on the same day before the evening, he will be one of the people of Paradise; and if anyone recites it during the night with firm faith in it, and dies before the morning, he will be one of the people of Paradise.'

Additional Duas

Rabbighfir li wa tub 'alayya innaka antat-Tawwabur-Rahim.

My Lord, forgive me and accept my repentance. Indeed, You are the Accepter of repentance, the Merciful.

Astaghfirullahal-'azim alladhi la ilaha illa huwal-hayyul-qayyumu wa atubu ilayh.

I seek the forgiveness of Allah, the Mighty, whom there is none worthy of worship except Him, the Living, the Sustainer, and I repent unto Him.

Content type: Hadith

Tags: sayyid al istighfar best istighfar chief of forgiveness morning dua forgiveness dua