Dua For Your Parents (Health, Happiness, and Long Life)

Parental love is a divine gift—unique in its selflessness, unconditional nature, and boundless forgiveness. Unlike other forms of love that often require effort to earn, a parent’s love is freely given from the moment we are born. While we can never fully repay the sacrifices our parents make for us, this reality should never discourage us from striving to honor and cherish them.

One of the most profound ways to repay their kindness is to include them in our daily supplications (duas). As Muslims, we are also reminded that we are a form of sadaqah jariyah (continuing charity) for our parents: every good deed we do, every act of kindness we show, and every decision guided by wisdom—all reflect the values they instilled in us, and Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) showers blessings upon them for this. This is the infinite mercy of our Lord.

Below are authentic duas from the Qur’an to recite daily for your parents—for their forgiveness, happiness, good health, and long life—along with guiding verses that emphasize the importance of honoring parents in Islam.

This heartfelt dua is a plea for Allah to shower mercy on our parents, just as they cared for us in our childhood.

Arabic Text (Qur’an 17:24):

رَّبِّ ٱرۡحَمۡهُمَا كَمَا رَبَّيَانِي صَغِيرٗا

Transliteration:

Rabbir hamhumaa kamaa rabbayaanee sagheera

English Translation:

“My Lord, have mercy upon them as they brought me up [when I was] small.”

Context: This dua is preceded by a powerful command from Allah: “And your Lord has decreed that you not worship except Him, and to parents, good treatment. Whether one or both of them reach old age [while] with you, say not to them [so much as], ‘uff,’ and do not repel them but speak to them a noble word.” (Surah Al-Isra 17:23) It reminds us that honoring parents is inseparable from faith.

This dua expands beyond seeking forgiveness for one’s parents to include oneself, believing guests, and the entire Muslim community.

Arabic Text (Qur’an 71:28):

رَّبِّ ٱغۡفِرۡ لِي وَلِوَٰلِدَيَّ وَلِمَن دَخَلَ بَيۡتِيَ مُؤۡمِنٗا وَلِلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ وَٱلۡمُؤۡمِنَٰتِۖ وَلَا تَزِدِ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ إِلَّا تَبَارَۢا

Transliteration:

Rabbigh fir lee wa liwaa lidaiya wa liman dakhala baitiya mu’minanw wa lil mu’mineena wal mu’minaati wa laa tazidiz zaalimeena illaa tabaaraa

English Translation:

“My Lord, forgive me and my parents and whoever enters my house a believer, and the believing men and believing women. And do not increase the wrongdoers except in destruction.”

This dua seeks Allah’s forgiveness for parents and all believers on the Day of Accountability—a day when our deeds will be weighed, and mercy will be paramount.

Arabic Text (Qur’an 14:41):

رَبَّنَا ٱغۡفِرۡ لِي وَلِوَٰلِدَيَّ وَلِلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ يَوۡمَ يَقُومُ ٱلۡحِسَابُ

Transliteration:

Rabbanagh fir lee wa liwaalidaiya wa lilmu’mineena Yawma yaqoomul hisaab

English Translation:

“Our Lord, forgive me and my parents and the believers the Day the account is established.”

This dua asks Allah to grant us the ability to thank Him for His blessings upon us and our parents, and to enable us to act righteously—bringing joy to our parents through our faith and good deeds.

Arabic Text (Qur’an 46:15):

رَبِّ أَوۡزِعۡنِيٓ أَنۡ أَشۡكُرَ نِعۡمَتَكَ ٱلَّتِيٓ أَنۡعَمۡتَ عَلَيَّ وَعَلَىٰ وَٰلِدَيَّ وَأَنۡ أَعۡمَلَ صَٰلِحٗا تَرۡضَىٰهُ وَأَصۡلِحۡ لِي فِي ذُرِّيَّتِيٓۖ إِنِّي تُبۡتُ إِلَيۡكَ وَإِنِّي مِنَ ٱلۡمُسۡلِمِينَ

Transliteration:

Rabbi awzi’ neee an ashkura ni’matakal lateee an’amta ‘alaiya wa ‘alaa waalidaiya wa an a’mala saalihan tardaahu wa aslih lee fee zurriyyatee; innee tubtu ilaika wa innee minal muslimeen

English Translation:

“My Lord, enable me to be grateful for Your favor which You have bestowed upon me and upon my parents, and to work righteousness of which You will approve, and make righteous for me my offspring. Indeed, I have repented to You, and indeed, I am of the Muslims.”

When our parents face illness or physical pain, turning to Allah in supplication is a source of comfort and hope. Below is a powerful dua for healing, rooted in the Sunnah:

Arabic Text:

أَذْهِبِ الْبَاسَ رَبَّ النَّاسِ اشْفِهِ أَنْتَ الشَّافِي لاَ شِفَاءَ إِلاَّ شِفَاؤُكَ شِفَاءً لاَ يُغَادِرُ سَقَمًا

Transliteration:

Adhhib al-ba’s Rabb an-naas, wa’shfi anta al-Shaafi, laa shifaa’a illa shifaa’uka shifaa’an laa yughaadir saqaman

English Translation:

“Lord of the people, remove the disease, cure him—for You are the Great Healer. There is no cure but through Your healing power, which leaves nothing of the disease.”

Context: This supplication is narrated in Sahih Muslim (2191c). Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) reported that when the Prophet (ﷺ) visited a sick person, he would recite this dua for their healing. It can be recited for parents (or anyone) facing illness, with sincere trust in Allah’s power to cure.

Additional Guidance from the Sunnah:

Uthman b. Abu al-‘As Al-Thaqafi reported feeling pain after embracing Islam and complaining to the Prophet (ﷺ). The Prophet advised: “Place your hand at the place where you feel pain and say ‘Bismillah’ (in the name of Allah) three times, and seven times ‘A’udhu billahi wa qudratihi min sharri ma ajidu wa uhadhiru’ (I seek refuge with Allah and with His Power from the evil that I find and that I fear).” (Sahih Muslim 2202) This simple practice can also be used to seek relief for parents’ pain.

Allah reminds us in the Qur’an: “Every soul will taste death.” (Surah Al-Imran 3:185) This truth is a poignant reminder to value the time we have with our parents—for life is fleeting, and regret is a burden no soul should bear.

Reflect on this: every moment with your parents is a gift. Instead of taking their presence for granted, strive to be present, patient, and kind. If you ever feel annoyed or frustrated, remember that they cared for you unconditionally when you were helpless. As Allah commands: “Do not say to them even a mild rebuke and do not repel them but rather speak to them a noble word. Lower for them the wing of humility out of mercy.” (Surah Al-Isra 17:23-24)

Honoring parents is not just a duty—it is a means of drawing closer to Allah and earning His mercy. By reciting these duas daily, showing kindness, and cherishing the time we have with them, we fulfill a sacred obligation and sow the seeds of blessings in this life and the Hereafter.

May Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) grant our parents good health, happiness, and forgiveness. May He enable us to honor them sincerely, and may we be among those who are blessed with their love and guidance until the end. Ameen.

Jazakallah khair—may Allah reward you with His mercy and blessings.