The Master Dua for Forgiveness — complete Arabic, transliteration, phrase-by-phrase meaning & virtues.
Duas & Dhikr
AdSense TOP
The Greatest Reward: The Prophet ﷺ said: "The best way to seek forgiveness is Sayyidul Istighfar. Whoever says it during the day with firm belief in it, and dies the same day before the evening, he will be from the people of Paradise. And whoever says it during the night with firm belief, and dies before the morning, he will be from the people of Paradise." — Sahih Bukhari 6306
Transliteration: Allahumma anta rabbi, la ilaha illa ant. Khalaqtani wa ana 'abduk. Wa ana 'ala 'ahdika wa wa'dika mastata't. A'udhu bika min sharri ma sana't. Abu'u laka bi ni'matika 'alayy. Wa abu'u bi dhanbi. Faghfir li, fa innahu la yaghfirudh-dhunuba illa ant.
Meaning: "O Allah, You are my Lord. There is no god but You. You created me and I am Your servant. I am upon 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 blessings upon me. And I acknowledge my sin. So forgive me, for indeed none forgives sins except You."
AdSense MID
Phrase-by-Phrase Breakdown
Arabic Phrase
Transliteration
Meaning & Significance
اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ رَبِّي
Allahumma anta rabbi
O Allah, You are my Lord — establishing the relationship of creator and servant
لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ
La ilaha illa ant
Declaring the core of Tawhid — there is no god but You
خَلَقْتَنِي وَأَنَا عَبْدُكَ
Khalaqtani wa ana 'abduk
You created me and I am Your slave — acknowledging ownership
وَأَنَا عَلَى عَهْدِكَ وَوَعْدِكَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُ
Ana 'ala 'ahdika... mastata't
I am doing my best to uphold my covenant with You — honest about my limitations
أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا صَنَعْتُ
A'udhu bika min sharri ma sana't
I seek refuge in You from the harm of my own sins
أَبُوءُ لَكَ بِنِعْمَتِكَ عَلَيَّ
Abu'u laka bi ni'matika 'alayy
I acknowledge all Your blessings upon me — gratitude
فَاغْفِرْ لِي
Faghfir li
So forgive me — the actual request, after all the acknowledgments
Why Is It Called "Sayyidul Istighfar"?
"Sayyid" in Arabic means master or leader. The Prophet ﷺ himself designated this dua as the Sayyid (master/chief) of all istighfar duas — placing it above all other forms of seeking forgiveness. This is because it combines Tawhid, acknowledgment of servitude, honest confession of sin, gratitude, and the request for forgiveness — all in one comprehensive supplication.
When Should You Recite It?
The Hadith specifies: in the morning (after Fajr, before Duha) and in the evening (after Asr, before Maghrib). These are the two times that carry the greatest reward. However, you can recite it at any time — especially after salah, in prostration (Sujood), or whenever you feel remorse for a sin.
The Condition of "Firm Belief"
The Hadith states the person must say it "with firm belief" (muwqinan biha). This means understanding the words you're saying, meaning them from your heart, and genuinely intending to repent and avoid that sin. Reciting it mindlessly without conviction does not carry the same promise.