11. Dua for forgiveness (Rabbighfirli wa tub alayya innaka)
Narrated Abdullah ibn Umar (RA): We counted that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) would say this dua a hundred times during a meeting -
Dua for forgiveness in Arabic
رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي وَتُبْ عَلَىَّ إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِيْمُ
Dua for forgiveness English Transliteration
Rabbighfirli wa tub `alayya innaka Antat-Tawwabur-Rahim
Dua for forgiveness English Translation
O Allah forgive me and accept my repentance, for You are the Accepter of repentance, the Most Merciful.
Hadith about the Dua
Arabic Text
حَدَّثَنَا الْحَسَنُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو أُسَامَةَ، عَنْ مَالِكِ بْنِ مِغْوَلٍ، عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ سُوقَةَ، عَنْ نَافِعٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، قَالَ إِنْ كُنَّا لَنَعُدُّ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِي الْمَجْلِسِ الْوَاحِدِ مِائَةَ مَرَّةٍ " رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي وَتُبْ عَلَىَّ إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِيمُ " .
Narrated Abdullah ibn Umar: We counted that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) would say a hundred times during a meeting: "My Lord, forgive me and pardon me; Thou art the Pardoning and forgiving One". [Sahih (Albani). Abu Dawud: 1516]
Benefits of Dua for forgiveness
When you say dua for forgiveness, hope can grow in your heart. You start to feel better inside.
- Reciting this dua cleans away old sins & mistakes, giving inner peace
- Makes the heart calm with true repentance in Islam
- Saying this dua brings you near to Allah’s mercy.
- When you say Rabbighfirli many times, your Iman grows strong.
- Keeps you safe from future mistakes with regular istighfar prayer
When to Recite Dua for forgiveness
Ask Allahfor forgiveness after mistakes during prayers and at night especially before sleep and after daily prayers
- If you make a mistake or sin, say this dua to ask Allahto forgive you.
- During salah, mainly between the two prostrations, say Rabbighfirli dua for forgiveness
- At night before sleeping, ask Allahfor forgiveness & make dua for repentance
- The last part of the night is a special time to say dua for forgiveness in Islam.
- When you finish your daily prayers, say Astaghfirullah or another dua for forgiveness.
How to Perform Dua for forgiveness
Simple steps help make dua for forgiveness of major sins meaningful
- Begin with sincere intention to ask Allahfor forgiveness in Islam
- Sit in a quiet place and say Rabbighfirli wa tub alayya innaka or Astaghfar with all your heart.
- Repeat the dua for forgiveness of sins several times, especially during salah or after prayer
- Think about what you did and ask Allahto accept your dua and give you mercy.
Summary
The dua for forgiveness, Rabbighfirli wa tub alayya innaka, helps Muslims ask Allahfor mercy and to accept their repentance.
This prayer is said in salah or when someone wants a new start.
Making this dua every day brings hope and peace. Saying Astaghfirullah or Rabbighfirli reminds us of Allah’s kindness and why repentance is important in Islam.