There are many duas that can be recited during prayer in accordance with the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). In this text, we will focus on one specific dua that is recited after the tashahhud (following the recitation of attahiyat) and before the taslim (when reciting assalamualaikum warahmatullah).
Abu Bakr As-Siddiq (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
“I requested the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) to teach me a supplication which I could recite in my Salat (prayer). Thereupon he said, ‘Recite: Allahumma inni zalamtu nafsi zulman kathiran, wa la yaghfirudh- dhunuba illa Anta, faghfir li maghfiratan min ‘indika, warhamni, innaka Antal-Ghafur-ur-Rahim'”
Full Dua in Arabic Text:
اللهم إني ظلمت نفسي ظلمًا كثيرًا، ولا يغفر الذنوب إلا أنت، فاغفر لي مغفرة من عندك، وارحمني، إنك أنت الغفور الرحيم
English Translation:
O Allah! I have considerably wronged myself. There is none to forgive the sins but You. So grant me pardon and have mercy on me. You are the Most Forgiving, the Most Compassionate.
Such duas for salat are not mandatory but are recommended. There are numerous duas (too many to cover in a single text) that can be recited during salat in line with the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ).
The virtues and benefits of this specific dua:
“Your god is one God. But those who do not believe in the Hereafter – their hearts are disapproving, and they are arrogant.” (Surah Nahl Ayat 22)
Pride, boastfulness, and arrogance – which involve exaggerating one’s own importance or abilities – are among the major sins and character flaws repeatedly mentioned in the Quran. Allah loves those who are humble and display humility. By understanding the meaning of this dua, you acknowledge your faults; you begin by saying “O Allah, I have wronged myself” and go on to affirm that only Allah can pardon your shortcomings.
This dua also mentions two of Allah’s ninety-nine names: Al-Ghafoor and Ar-Rahim.
Al-Ghafoor: The All-Forgiving.
Ar-Raheem: The Merciful – the One who acts with extreme kindness.
Another narration of the same dua:
Narrated Abu Bakr As-Siddiq:
“I asked Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) to teach me an invocation so that I may invoke Allah with it in my prayer. He told me to say,
Allahumma inni zalumtu nafsi zulman kathiran, Wala yaghfiru dh-dhunuba illa anta, fa ghfir li maghfiratan min `indika, wa r-hamni, innaka anta l-ghafuru r-rahim”
English Translation:
O Allah! I have done great injustice to myself and none except You forgives sins, so bestow on me forgiveness from You, and have mercy on me. You are the Forgiver, the Merciful.
About the Author
