You may know two of Allah’s names: Ar-Rahmaan and Ar-Raheem. But do you know their meanings?
These two of the 99 Names of Allah refer to His attribute of being merciful and forgiving. There is a distinction, however: Ar-Rahmaan denotes the vastness of Allah’s mercy, while Ar-Raheem specifically refers to the mercy He bestows upon His creation.
He is the Only One who is most kind and loving to all His creation. His mercy is all-inclusive, embracing anyone who seeks His help.
Yet, the abundance of Allah’s rahma (mercy) will not reach you unless your intentions and actions are pure. Only when you are truly sincere will you be deserving of Allah’s mercy. This sincerity cannot be faked—Allah knows the true intentions in a person’s heart.
In Surah Al A’raf Ayat 56, Allah says: “And invoke Him in fear and aspiration. Indeed, the mercy of Allah is near to the doers of good.”
In this article, we will cover 4 different duas you can recite to seek Allah’s mercy.
1. Dua to Forgive Us and Have Mercy Upon Us
The first dua is from Surah Al A’raf Ayat 155 and 156. Its Arabic text is as follows:
أَنْتَ وَلِيُّنَا فَاغْفِرْ لَنَا وَارْحَمْنَا ۖ وَأَنْتَ خَيْرُ الْغَافِرِينَ وَاكْتُبْ لَنَا فِي هَٰذِهِ الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ إِنَّا هُدْنَا إِلَيْكَ
Transliteration
Anta waliyyunaa faghfir lanaa warhammnnaa wa Anta khairul ghaafireen. Waktub lanaa fee haazi hid dunya hasanatan wa fil Aakhirati innaka hudnaaa ilaik.
Meaning
You are our Protector, so forgive us and have mercy upon us; and You are the best of forgivers. And decree for us in this world [that which is] good and [also] in the Hereafter; indeed, we have turned back to You.
2. Dua for Forgiveness and Allah’s Mercy
The second dua is from Surah Al-Muminun Ayat 118:
رَّبِّ اغْفِرْ وَارْحَمْ وَاَنْتَ خَيْرُ الرّٰحِمِيْنَ
Transliteration
Rabbigh fir warham wa Anta khairur raahimeen
Meaning
My Lord, forgive and have mercy, and You are the best of the merciful.
3. Dua from Surah Kahf Seeking Allah’s Mercy
This dua is from Surah Kahf Ayat 10:
رَبَّنَا آتِنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ رَحْمَةً وَهَيِّئْ لَنَا مِنْ أَمْرِنَا رَشَدًا
Transliteration
Rabbana atina mil-ladunka Rahmataw wa hayyi lana min amrina rashada
Meaning
Our Lord, grant us from Yourself mercy and prepare for us from our affair right guidance.
4. Dua to Forgive Me and Show Me Mercy
The final dua was recited by Prophet Musa (AS) to seek forgiveness, mentioned in Surah Al A’raf Ayat 151:
رَبِّ ٱغْفِرْ لِى وَلِأَخِى وَأَدْخِلْنَا فِى رَحْمَتِكَ ۖ وَأَنتَ أَرْحَمُ ٱلرَّٰحِمِينَ
Transliteration
Rabbighfirli wa li akhi wa adkhilnal fee rahmatika wa Anta arhamur rahimeen
Meaning
My Lord, forgive me and my brother and admit us into Your mercy, for You are the most merciful of the merciful.
Conclusion
Before we conclude, I would like to share a valuable hadith on good character—a timeless philosophy to live by. Abu Dharr reported that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said to him: “Have Taqwa (consciousness of Allah) of Allah wherever you are, and follow an evil deed with a good one to wipe it out, and treat the people with good behavior.”
This hadith teaches Muslims to be mindful of Allah in all actions. It acknowledges that we are human and will inevitably err or commit immoral acts. However, if we are self-aware enough to recognize our mistakes, we should follow them with positive deeds to rectify them.
Amazing things happen when we become selfless, putting others’ needs before our own. When we help enough people achieve what they desire, we will find ourselves blessed with all that we could ever want.
Inshallah, by reciting these four duas, Allah’s mercy will pour down upon us. May He grant us patience, knowledge, and fill our hearts with courage and strength.
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