Sayyidul Istighfar (Best Dua for Forgiveness)
“O Allah, You are my Lord; there is no god but You. You created me and I am Your servant, and I keep Your covenant and promise as best I can. I seek refuge in You from the evil I have done. I acknowledge Your favour upon me and I acknowledge my sin, so forgive me, for none forgives sins except You.” The Arabic, how to say it, when to read it, and its source.
اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ رَبِّي لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ، خَلَقْتَنِي وَأَنَا عَبْدُكَ، وَأَنَا عَلَى عَهْدِكَ وَوَعْدِكَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُ، أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا صَنَعْتُ، أَبُوءُ لَكَ بِنِعْمَتِكَ عَلَيَّ، وَأَبُوءُ لَكَ بِذَنْبِي، فَاغْفِرْ لِي، فَإِنَّهُ لَا يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ
- Transliteration
- Allāhumma anta Rabbī lā ilāha illā ant, khalaqtanī wa ana ʿabduk, wa ana ʿalā ʿahdika wa waʿdika mastaṭaʿt, aʿūdhu bika min sharri mā ṣanaʿt, abū’u laka bi-niʿmatika ʿalayy, wa abū’u laka bi-dhanbī, faghfir lī, fa-innahu lā yaghfirudh-dhunūba illā ant
- Meaning
- O Allah, You are my Lord; there is no god but You. You created me and I am Your servant, and I keep Your covenant and promise as best I can. I seek refuge in You from the evil I have done. I acknowledge Your favour upon me and I acknowledge my sin, so forgive me, for none forgives sins except You.
- Source
- Sahih al-Bukhari 6306
When to say it
- Every morning and every evening
- After a mistake, and any time you seek forgiveness
About this dua
The Prophet ﷺ called this the most superior way of seeking forgiveness. He said that whoever says it during the day with firm faith and dies that day before evening will be among the people of Paradise, and likewise whoever says it at night and dies before morning (Sahih al-Bukhari 6306).
Quran and hadith references link to quran.com and sunnah.com. Reviewed 19 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Let us know.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the sayyidul istighfar (best dua for forgiveness)?
Allāhumma anta Rabbī lā ilāha illā ant, khalaqtanī wa ana ʿabduk, wa ana ʿalā ʿahdika wa waʿdika mastaṭaʿt, aʿūdhu bika min sharri mā ṣanaʿt, abū’u laka bi-niʿmatika ʿalayy, wa abū’u laka bi-dhanbī, faghfir lī, fa-innahu lā yaghfirudh-dhunūba illā ant: “O Allah, You are my Lord; there is no god but You. You created me and I am Your servant, and I keep Your covenant and promise as best I can. I seek refuge in You from the evil I have done. I acknowledge Your favour upon me and I acknowledge my sin, so forgive me, for none forgives sins except You.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 6306).
Is this dua authentic?
Yes. It is from Sahih al-Bukhari 6306, an authentic hadith collection. The source is linked on this page so you can check it.