Best duas for forgiveness in English

The Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. said: 

“All the sons of Adam are sinners, but the best of sinners are those who continue to repent.”

(Narrated by At-Tirmizi)

It is part of being human to make mistakes. Recognising our mistakes and sins after committing them is indeed one of Allah s.w.t’s blessings as it is a form of guidance for us to repent and seek forgiveness from Him. Repenting and seeking forgiveness from Allah s.w.t are also taught by our Prophet s.a.w. In a hadith, Abu Hurairah r.a. reported: 

I heard the Messenger of Allah s.a.w saying: “By Allah, I seek Allah’s forgiveness and repent to Him more than seventy times a day.”

(Narrated by Imam Al-Bukhari)

In another narration, the Prophet s.a.w. sought forgiveness a hundred times daily. This shows us the significance of repentance. The biggest mistake we should never make after realising our sins is to dwell on them and lose hope in Allah s.w.t’s Mercy. Allah s.w.t says in the Quran:

 قُلْ يَا عِبَادِيَ الَّذِينَ أَسْرَفُوا عَلَىٰ أَنفُسِهِمْ لَا تَقْنَطُوا مِن رَّحْمَةِ اللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ جَمِيعًا ۚ إِنَّهُ هُوَ الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ

Say, “O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful.”

(Surah Az-Zumar, 39:53)

Allah s.w.t. is All-Forgiving and the Most Merciful. He commands us to seek forgiveness and never lose hope in His mercy. Therefore, the best thing we should do after recognising our mistakes is to repent sincerely and seek forgiveness from Allah s.w.t. 

On top of that, seeking forgiveness and repentance help expiate sins that could be a reason for provisions to be withheld. Therefore, in seeking forgiveness, our provisions are eased.

Here are some Duas for forgiveness that we can recite:

Dua for forgiveness and mercy

رَبَّنَا ظَلَمْنَا أَنفُسَنَا وَإنْ لَمْ تَغْفِرْلَنَا وَتَرْحَمْنَا لَنَكُونَنَّ مِنَ الخَاسِرِينَ

Our Lord! We have wronged ourselves. If You do not forgive us and have mercy on us, we will certainly be lost.

Rabbana zalamna anfusana wa-in lam taghfir lana wa-tarhamna la-nakunanna minal-khasirin

(Surah Al-A’raf, 7:23)

Dua for forgiveness and repentance

سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَبِحَمْدِهِ أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ وَأَتُوبُ إِلَيْهِ

Glory be to Allah (Allah is free from imperfection), and I begin with praising Him. I beg forgiveness from Allah and I turn to Him in repentance.

Subhaana-Allahi wa bihamdihi, Astaghfirullaha, wa atuubu ilaihi

(Sahih Muslim)

Dua for the observance of good deeds, abandonment of evil deeds, love for the poor, forgiveness and mercy

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ فِعْلَ الخَيْرَاتِ وَتَرْكَ المُنْكَرَاتِ وَحُبَّ المَسَاكِينِ وَأَنْ تَغْفِرَ لِي وَ تَرْحَمَنِي

O Allah, I ask of You (to grant me) the observance of good deeds, the abandonment of evil deeds and love for the poor, and (I ask You) that You forgive me, and have mercy upon me.

Allahumma inni as-aluka fi’lal-khairaat, wa tarkal-munkarat, wa hubbal-masaakiin, wa an-taghfira lii wa tarhamanii

(Jami At-Tirmizi)

Dua for forgiveness of sins in the past, in the future, privately, publicly and all of which we may not be aware of

اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي مَا قَدَّمْتُ وَمَا أَخَّرْتُ، وَمَا أَسْرَرْتُ وَمَا أَعْلَنْتُ وَمَا أَنْتَ أَعْلَمُ بِهِ مِنِّي، أَنْتَ المُقَدِّمُ وَأَنْتَ المُؤَخِّرُ وَأَنْتَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِير

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 of it than I am of myself. You are The One who bring forward and reprieve as You wish and indeed You are over all things capable.

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

(Sahih Muslim)

Dua for forgiveness and prevention of resentment towards the believers

رَبَّنَا اغْفِرْلَنَا وَلِإِخْوَانِنَا الَّذِينَ سَبَقُونَا بِالإِيمَانِ وَلَا تَجْعَلْ فِي قُلُوبِنَا غِلًّا لِّلَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ رَبَّنَا إِنَّكَ رَءُوفُ رَّحِيم

Our Lord! Forgive us and our fellow believers who preceded us in faith, and do not allow any resentments into our hearts towards those who believe. Our Lord! Indeed, You are Ever Gracious, Most Merciful.

Rabbana-ghfir lana wa li ikhwaninal-laziina sabaquuna bil-iman, wa laa taj-al fii quluubina ghillal-lil lazina aamanuu, rabbanaa innaka raufur-rahim

(Surah Al-Hashr, 59:10)

Dua for forgiveness, removal of misdeeds and to join the righteous when we die

رَبَّنَا فَاغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا وَكَفِّرْ عَنَّا سَيِّئَاتِنَا وَتَوَفَّنَا مَعَ الأَبْرَارِ

Our Lord! Forgive our sins, remove from us our misdeeds, and grant that we join the righteous when we die.

Rabbana fa-ghfir lana zunuubana wa-kaffir anna sayyi-aatina wa-tafawwafaa maal-abrar

(Surah Ali Imran, 3:193)

Dua for forgiveness, making home enough and blessings in sustenance

اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي ذَنْبِي، وَوَسِّعْ لِي فِي دَارِي، وَبَارِكْ لِي فِي رِزْقِي

Oh Allah, forgive my sins, make my home ample for me, and bless me in my sustenance.

Allahumma-ghfir lii zanbii, wa-wassi’ lii fii daarii, wa-baarik lii fii rizqii

(Al-Azkar, Imam An-Nawawi)

And Allah knows best.

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