Author: Mohammad Hashim Qasmi Bastawi
Supplication to Allah Almighty and seeking His forgiveness is something Allah loves very much. Allah Almighty also wants His servants to seek forgiveness from Him and to repent before Him for their sins. This act makes Allah Almighty very pleased.
Allah Almighty says in Surah Ghafir, verse 60: “Call upon Me; I will respond to you.”
Similarly, in Surah Az-Zumar, verse 53, Allah Almighty says: “O servants of Mine who have acted recklessly against their own selves, do not despair of Allah‘s mercy. Surely, Allah will forgive all sins. Surely, He is the One who is the Most-Forgiving, the Very-Merciful”.
Likewise, Allah Almighty says in Surah Aali Imran, verse 135: “And those who, when they happen to commit a shameful act or wrong themselves, remember Allah, then, seek forgiveness for their sins and who is there to forgive sins except Allah? and do not persist in what they have done, knowingly”.
Along with the Qur’an, the Hadiths also contain great virtues regarding repentance, seeking forgiveness, and asking Allah for pardon.
In Sahih Muslim, Hadith No. 2758 it is narrated from Abu Hurairah (RA) reported from Allah’s Messenger (صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم) that his Lord, the Exalted and Glorious, thus said. A servant committed a sin and he said: O Allah, forgive me my sins, and Allah (the Exalted and Glorious) said: My servant commited a sin and then he came to realise that he has a Lord Who forgives the sins and takes to account (the sinner) for the sin.
He then again committed a sin and said: My Lord, forgive me my sin, and Allah, the Exalted and High, said: My servant committed a sin and then came to realise that he has a Lord Who would forgive his sin or would take (him) to account for the sin. He again committed a sin and said: My Lord, forgive me for my sin, and Allah (the Exalted and High) said: My servant has committed a sin and then came to realise that he has a Lord Who forgives the sins or takes (him) to account for sin. O servant, do what you like. I have granted you forgiveness.
Also in Sahih Muslim Hadith no: 2749 Abu Hurairah (RA) reported Allah’s Messenger (صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم) having said: By Him in Whose Hand is my life, if you were not to commit sin, Allah would sweep you out of existence and He would replace (you by) those people who would commit sin and seek forgiveness from Allah, and He would have pardoned them.
Apart from these, there are many other Ahadith that describe the virtue of seeking forgiveness (Istighfar) and its effect in gaining pardon from sins. Due to length, they are not mentioned here.
The purpose is that the servants of Allah should sincerely pray to Allah for forgiveness and pardon, and make a firm resolve not to commit sins in the future. Despite this firm resolve, if—God forbid—a sin is committed, then they should immediately repent before Allah and pray to Him for forgiveness and pardon. InshaAllah, their prayer will surely be accepted, and Allah will certainly forgive them.
Duas for forgiveness from the Holy Quran:
In the following, we are mentioning the supplications and invocations related to forgiveness and pardon that have been mentioned in the Noble Qur’an and the Prophetic Ahadith, along with their translation in English. Undoubtedly, these are very useful supplications for a Muslim.
(1) رَبَّنَا لاَ تُؤَاخِذْنَا إِن نَّسِينَا أَوْ أَخْطَأْنَا رَبَّنَا وَلاَ تَحْمِلْ عَلَيْنَا إِصْرًا كَمَا حَمَلْتَهُ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِنَا رَبَّنَا وَلاَ تُحَمِّلْنَا مَا لاَ طَاقَةَ لَنَا بِهِ وَاعْفُ عَنَّا وَاغْفِرْ لَنَا وَارْحَمْنَا أَنتَ مَوْلاَنَا فَانصُرْنَا عَلَى الْقَوْمِ الْكَافِرِينَ. [البقرة – 286].
Rabbanaa laa tu’aakhiznaaa in naseenaaa aw akhtaanaa; Rabbanaa wa laa tahmil-‘alainaaa isran kamaa hamaltahoo ‘alal-lazeena min qablinaa; Rabbanaa wa laa tuhammilnaa maa laa taaqata lanaa bih; wa’fu ‘annaa waghfir lanaa warhamnaa; Anta mawlaanaa fansurnaa ‘alal qawmil kaafireen.
Translation:
Our Lord, do not hold us accountable, if we forget or make a mistake, and, Our Lord, do not place on us such a burden as you have placed on those before us, and, Our Lord, do not make us bear a burden for which we have no strength. And pardon us, and grant us forgiveness, and have mercy on us. You are our Lord. So then help us against the disbelieving people.
(2) ربَّنَا اغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا وَإِسْرَافَنَا فِي أَمْرِنَا وَثَبِّتْ أَقْدَامَنَا وانصُرْنَا عَلَى الْقَوْمِ الْكَافِرِينَِ. [آل عمران – 147].
Rabbanagh fir lanaa zunoobanaa wa israafanaa feee amrinaa wa sabbit aqdaamanaa wansurnaa ‘alal qawmil kaafireen.
Translation:
Our Lord, forgive us our sins and our excesses in our conduct, make firm our feet and help us against the disbelieving people.
(3) رَبَّنَا ظَلَمْنَا أَنفُسَنَا وَإِن لَّمْ تَغْفِرْ لَنَا وَتَرْحَمْنَا لَنَكُونَنَّ مِنَ الْخَاسِرِينَ. [الأعراف – 23].
Rabbanaa zalamnaaa anfusanaa wa illam taghfir lanaa wa tarhamnaa lanakoonanna minal khaasireen.
Translation:
Our Lord, we have wronged ourselves, and if You do not forgive us and do not bless us with mercy, we shall, indeed, be among the losers.
(4) أَنْتَ وَلِيُّنَا فَاغْفِرْ لَنَا وَارْحَمْنَا وَأَنْتَ خَيْرُ الْغَافِرِينَ* وَاكْتُبْ لَنَا فِي هَذِهِ الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ “[الأعراف – 155-156].
Anta waliyyunaa faghfir lanaa warhamnaa wa Anta khairul ghaafireen, Waktub lanaa fee haazi hid dunyaa hasanatanw wa fil Aakhirati
Translation:
You are our protector, so forgive us, and have mercy on us, and You are the best among those who forgive.
And write for us good in this world and in the Hereafte.
(5) رَبَّنَا اغْفِرْ لِي وَلِوَالِدَيَّ وَلِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ يَوْمَ يَقُومُ الْحِسَابُ. [إبرهيم – 41].
Rabbanagh fir lee wa liwaalidaiya wa lilmu’mineena Yawma yaqoomul hisaab.
Translation:
Our Lord, forgive me and my parents and all believers on the day when reckoning shall take place.
(6) رَبَّنَا آمَنَّا فَاغْفِرْ لَنَا وَارْحَمْنَا وَأَنتَ خَيْرُ الرَّاحِمِينَ. [المؤمنون – 109].
Rabbanaaa aamannaa faghfir lanaa warhamnaa wa Anta khairur raahimeen
Translation:
our Lord! we have believed, wherefore forgive us and have mercy upon us, and Thou art the Best of the merciful ones!
(7) رَبَّنَا اصْرِفْ عَنَّا عَذَابَ جَهَنَّمَ إِنَّ عَذَابَهَا كَانَ غَرَامًا*إِنَّهَا سَاءَتْ مُسْتَقَرًّا وَمُقَامًا. [الفرقان- 65- 66].
Rabbanas rif ‘annaa ‘azaaba Jahannama inna ‘azaabahaa kaana gharaamaa
Innahaa saaa’at mustaqarranw wa muqaamaa
Translation:
Our Lord, avert from us the punishment of Jahannam (the Hell); indeed, its punishment is a persisting affliction. Indeed, it is evil as an abode and a place to dwell in.
(8) رَبَّنَا وَسِعْتَ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ رَّحْمَةً وَعِلْمًا فَاغْفِرْ لِلَّذِينَ تَابُوا وَاتَّبَعُوا سَبِيلَكَ وَقِهِمْ عَذَابَ الْجَحِيمِ* رَبَّنَا وَأَدْخِلْهُمْ جَنَّاتِ عَدْنٍ الَّتِي وَعَدتَّهُمْ وَمَن صَلَحَ مِنْ آبَائِهِمْ وَأَزْوَاجِهِمْ وَذُرِّيَّاتِهِمْ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ* وَقِهِمُ السَّيِّئَاتِ وَمَن تَقِ السَّيِّئَاتِ يَوْمَئِذٍ فَقَدْ رَحِمْتَهُ وَذَلِكَ هُوَ الْفَوْزُ الْعَظِيمُ [الغافر- 7-9]
Rabbanaa wasi’ta kulla shai’ir rahmatanw wa ‘ilman faghfir lillazeena taaboo wattaba’oo sabeelaka wa qihim ‘azaabal Jaheem
Rabbanaa wa adkhilhum Jannaati ‘adninil latee wa’attahum wa man salaha min aabaaa’ihim wa azwaajihim wa zurriyyaatihim; innaka Antal ‘Azeezul Hakeem
Wa qihimus saiyi-aat; wa man taqis saiyi-aati Yawma’izin faqad rahimtah; wa zaalika huwal fawzul ‘azeem
Translation:
Our Lord, Your mercy and knowledge comprehends everything; so forgive those who repent and follow Your way, and save them from the punishment of the Fire.
And, our Lord, admit them to the eternal gardens of Jannah (Paradise) that You have promised for them, and (admit) those as well who did good from among their fathers and wives and children. You, only You, are the Mighty, the Wise,
and save them from evils (of punishment). And whomsoever you save from evils that day, it is surely because you bless him with mercy. And that is the great achievement indeed.
(9) رَبَّنَا اغْفِرْ لَنَا وَلِإِخْوَانِنَا الَّذِينَ سَبَقُونَا بِالإِيمَانِ وَلا تَجْعَلْ فِي قُلُوبِنَا غِلاً لِّلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا رَبَّنَا إِنَّكَ رَؤُوفٌ رَّحِيمٌ. [الحشر- 10].
Rabbanagh fir lanaa wa li ikhwaani nal lazeena sabqoonaa bil eemaani wa laa taj’al fee quloobinaa ghillalil lazeena aamanoo rabbannaaa innaka Ra’oofur Raheem
Translation:
Our Lord, forgive us and those of our brothers who preceded us in faith, and do not place in our hearts any rancor against those who believe; Surely, Our Lord, you are Very-Kind, Very-Merciful.
رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي وَلِوَالِدَيَّ وَلِمَن دَخَلَ بَيْتِيَ مُؤْمِنًا وَلِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتِ. [النوح- 28].
Rabbigh fir lee wa liwaa lidaiya wa liman dakhala baitiya mu’minanw wa lil mu’mineena wal mu’minaati.
Translation:
My Lord, grant pardon to me, and to my parents, and to everyone who enters my home as a believer, and to all the believing men and believing women, and do not increase the wrongdoers but in ruin.
Supplications for Forgiveness in the Prophetic Hadith:
(1) سَيِّدُ الِاسْتِغْفَارِ أَنْ تَقُولَ: اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ رَبِّي لاَ 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 لاَ يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ. (صحيح البخارى: 6306)
Narrated Shaddad bin ‘Aus (RA) :The Prophet( (صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم said, “The most superior way of asking for forgiveness from Allah is:
‘Allahumma anta Rabbi la ilaha illa anta. Khalaqtani wa ana ‘abduka, wa ana ‘ala ‘ahdika wa Wa’dika mastata’tu abu’u Laka bi ni ‘matika wa abu’u Laka bidhanbi; faghfirli fa’innahu la yaghfiru-dh-dhunuba ill a ant a. A’uidhu bika min sharri ma sana’tu.’
If somebody recites this invocation during the night, and if he should die then, he will go to Paradise (or he will be from the people of Paradise). And if he recites it in the morning, and if he should die on the same day, he will have the same fate.” [Sahih Bukhari Hadith no: 6306]
(2) رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي خَطِيئَتِي وَجَهْلِي، وَإِسْرَافِي فِي أَمْرِي كُلِّهِ، وَمَا أَنْتَ أَعْلَمُ بِهِ مِنِّي، اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي خَطَايَايَ، وَعَمْدِي وَجَهْلِي وَهَزْلِي، وَكُلُّ ذَلِكَ عِنْدِي، اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي مَا قَدَّمْتُ وَمَا أَخَّرْتُ، وَمَا أَسْرَرْتُ وَمَا أَعْلَنْتُ، أَنْتَ المُقَدِّمُ وَأَنْتَ المُؤَخِّرُ، وَأَنْتَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ. (صحيح البخاري: 6398)
Narrated Abu Musa (RA): The Prophet (صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم) used to invoke Allah with the following invocation:
‘Rabbi-ghfir-li Khati ‘ati wa jahli wa israfi fi amri kullihi, wa ma anta a’lamu bihi minni. Allahumma ighfirli khatayaya wa ‘amdi, wa jahli wa jiddi, wa kullu dhalika’indi. Allahumma ighrifli ma qaddamtu wa ma akhartu wa ma asrartu wa ma a’lantu. Anta-l-muqaddimu wa anta-l-mu’akh-khiru, wa anta ‘ala kulli shai’in qadir.’ [Sahih Bukhari Hadith no: 6398]
(3) اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي ظَلَمْتُ نَفْسِي ظُلْمًا كَثِيرًا، وَلاَ يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ، فَاغْفِرْ لِي مَغْفِرَةً مِنْ عِنْدِكَ، وَارْحَمْنِي إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ الغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ. (صحيح البخاري: 7387)
Narrated ‘Abdullah bin ‘Amr (RA) (RA) : Abu Bakr (RA) As-Siddiq said to the Prophet, “Teach me an invocation with which I may invoke (Allah) in my prayer.” The Prophet (صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم) said, “Say:
Allahumma inni zalamtu nafsi zulman kathiran wala yaghfirudh-dhunuba illa anta, Faghfirli maghfiratan min indika war-hamni, innaka antalGhafur-Rahim.” [Sahih Bukhari Hadith no: 7387]
(4) اللَّهُمَّ لَكَ أَسْلَمْتُ، وَبِكَ آمَنْتُ، وَعَلَيْكَ تَوَكَّلْتُ، وَإِلَيْكَ أَنَبْتُ، وَبِكَ خَاصَمْتُ، وَإِلَيْكَ حَاكَمْتُ، فَاغْفِرْ لِي مَا قَدَّمْتُ وَمَا أَخَّرْتُ، وَمَا أَسْرَرْتُ وَمَا أَعْلَنْتُ، أَنْتَ المُقَدِّمُ، وَأَنْتَ المُؤَخِّرُ، لاَ إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ – أَوْ: لاَ إِلَهَ غَيْرُكَ. (صحيح البخاري: 1120)
Narrated Ibn Abbas (RA): When the Prophet (صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم) got up at night to offer the Tahajjud prayer, he used to say:
Allahumma aslamtu Laka wabika amantu, wa ‘Alaika tawakkaltu, wa ilaika anabtu wa bika khasamtu, wa ilaika hakamtu faghfir li ma qaddamtu wama akh-khartu wama as-rartu wama’a lantu, anta-l-muqaddim wa anta-l-mu akh-khir, la ilaha illa anta (or la ilaha ghairuka).
Translation:
O Allah ! I surrender (my will) to You; I believe in You and depend on You. And repent to You, And with Your help I argue (with my opponents, the non-believers) And I take You as a judge (to judge between us). Please forgive me my previous And future sins; And whatever I concealed or revealed And You are the One who make (some people) forward And (some) backward. There is none to be worshipped but you . Sufyan said that ‘Abdul Karim Abu Umaiya added to the above, ‘Wala haula Wala quwata illa billah’ (There is neither might nor power except with Allah). .” [Sahih Bukhari Hadith no: 7387]
