15 Duas for Forgiveness of Sin in Islam

Earn the mercy of Allah through these heartfelt duas

Co-authored by Belal Elkadri and Maryana Lucia Vestic, MFA, M.Phil.

Last Updated: May 3, 2025 Fact Checked

Acknowledging mistakes and seeking forgiveness are important aspects of the Islamic faith.^{[1]
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Belal Elkadri
Islam Education Expert & Motivational Speaker

Expert Interview} Duas are powerful steps you can take when you need to ask for forgiveness for your wrongdoings. When you’re looking for clemency, check out these duas for forgiveness which you can easily incorporate into your daily worship.

Dua for Forgiveness

One of the most powerful dua for forgiveness can be performed by saying, “Astaghfirullah” ("I seek forgiveness from Allah”) or “Astaghfirullāha rabbī wa-atūbu ilayhi” ("I seek the forgiveness of God, my Lord, and turn to Him in repentance”) 3 times.

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Astaghfirullah Dua for Forgiveness

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Say أَسْتَغْفِرُ ٱللَّٰه or أَسْتَغْفِرُ ٱللَّٰهَ رَبِّي وَأَتُوبُ إِلَيْهِ. Repeat 3 times.
- Pronunciation: “As-tagh-fir-ul-lah” or “Astaghfirullāha rabbī wa-atūbu ilayhi.”
- English translation: “I seek forgiveness from Alla” or “ I seek the forgiveness of God, my Lord, and turn to Him (in repentance).”
- Benefits: Saying Astaghfirullah can help you invite in mercy, refrain from all sins, calm your worries, and ease any depression you may experience.^{[2]
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Sayyidul Istighfar Dua for Forgiveness

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Say اَللّٰهُمَّ أَنْتَ رَبِّيْ لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ ، خَلَقْتَنِيْ وَأَنَا عَبْدُكَ ، وَأَنَا عَلَىٰ عَهْدِكَ وَوَعْدِكَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُ ، أَعُوْذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا صَنَعْتُ ، أَبُوْءُ لَكَ بِنِعْمَتِكَ عَلَيَّ وَأَبُوْءُ لَكَ بِذَنْبِيْ ، فَاغْفِرْ لِيْ فَإِنَّهُ لَا يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوْبَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ.
- Pronunciation: “Allahumma Anta Rabbi, la ilaha illa Anta, khalaqtani wa ana 'abduka, wa ana 'ala 'ahdika wa wa'dika mastata'tu, a'udhu bika min sharri ma sana'tu, abu'u laka bini'matika 'alayya, wa abu'u bidhanbi faghfir li, fa innahu la yaghfirudh-dhunuba illa Anta.”
- English translation: “O Allah, You are my Lord. There is no god worthy of worship except You. You have created me, and I am Your slave, and I am under Your covenant and pledge (to fulfill it) to the best of my ability. I seek Your protection from the evil that I have done. I acknowledge the favors that You have bestowed upon me, and I admit my sins. Forgive me, for none forgives sins but You.”
- Benefits: Saying the Sayyidul-Istighfar teaches you to seek forgiveness from Allah with humility. If you perform this dua for forgiveness and die directly afterward, it’s believed that you will go to Jannah and dwell in paradise because your sins are forgiven.^{[3]
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Ibn Umar Narrated Dua for Forgiveness

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Say “‏رب اغفر لي، وتب على إنك أنت التواب الرحيم‏‏”.
- Pronunciation: “Rabb- ighfir li, wa tubb ‘alayya, innaka Antat-Tawwaabur-Rahim.”
- English translation: “My Rab! Forgive me and pardon me. Indeed, You are the Oft-Returning with compassion and Ever Merciful.”
- Benefits: The benefits of this dua go beyond asking for forgiveness; they also praise the power and majesty of Allah at the same time.^{[4]
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Ibn Masud Narrated Dua for Forgiveness

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Say أستغفر الله الذي لا إله إلا هو الحي القيوم وأتوب إليه.
- Pronunciation: “Astaghfir ullah-alladhi la ilaha illa Huwal-Haiyul-Qayyumu, wa atubu ilaihi.”
- English translation: “I seek the forgiveness of Allah, there is no true god except Allah, the Ever-Living, the Self-Subsisting, and I turn to Him in repentance.”
- Benefits: Your sins will be forgiven even if you run away from a battlefield upon which you’re fighting for the cause of Allah.^{[5]
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A’ishah Narrated Dua for Forgiveness

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Say ‏سبحان الله وبحمده، أستغفر الله، وأتوب إليه‏.
- Pronunciation: “Subhan Allahi wa bihamdihi; Astaghfirullaha wa atubu ilaihi.”
- English translation: “Allah is free from imperfection, and I begin with praising Him. I beg forgiveness from Allah and I turn to Him in repentance.”
- Benefits: This dua states your intent for repentance, which is needed to seek forgiveness from a Muslim. Once you repent from sin, your intention is to never sin again.^{[6]
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Dua for Forgiveness of Zina

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Say أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللهَ الْعَظِيمَ الَّذِي لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ وَأَتُوبُ إِلَيْهِ.
- Pronunciation: "Astaghfirullah-al-azim alladhi la ilaha illa huwa, wa atuubu ilaih."
- English translation: “I seek forgiveness from the Great Allah, none has the right to be worshipped except Him, and I turn to Him in repentance."
- Benefits: This dua for forgiveness specifically targets those who have committed zina (sexual relations outside of marriage) and offers a way to repent for your sins and find peace within.^{[7]
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Dua for Forgiveness of Major Sins in Islam

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Say أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ الْعَظِيمَ الَّذِي لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْحَيَّ الْقَيُّومَ وَأَتُوبُ إِلَيْهِ.
- Pronunciation: “Astaghfirullah al-‘Adheem al-ladhi la ilaha illa Huwa al-Hayyul-Qayyum wa atubu ilayh.”
- English translation: “I seek forgiveness from Allah, the Almighty, besides whom there is no God, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of existence, and I repent to Him.”
- Benefits: This dua for forgiveness can erase major sins if you recite it with sincerity. It can also act as a dua for protection from the destructive power that major sins carry.^{[8]
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Dua for Forgiveness of Minor Sins in Islam

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Say اللهم اغفر لي ما تقدم من ذنبي وما تأخر.
- Pronunciation: “Allahumma ighfir li ma taqaddama min dhambī wa ma ta’akhkhara.”
- English translation: “O Allah, forgive me for my past and future sins.”
- Benefits: This dua for forgiveness can help you repent for sins you may not be aware of and ease the burdens of your soul. It can also protect you from unintentional harm.^{[9]
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The Prophet Yunus Dua for Forgiveness

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Say لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ سُبْحَانَكَ إِنِّي كُنْتُ مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ.
- Pronunciation: “ Laaa i-la-ha il-laaa anta sub-hanaka inni koon-tu minaz-zalimeen.”
- English translation: “There is no god but You; Glory be to You! Indeed, I have been among the wrongdoers.”
- Benefits: Recite this dua for forgiveness when you’re in distress as a reminder of how Allah forgives when you repent sincerely and purify yourself with your words.^{[10]
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Dua for Forgiveness of Parents

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Say رَبَّنَا اغْفِرْ لِي وَلِوَالِدَيَّ وَلِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ يَوْمَ يَقُومُالْحِسَابُ.
- Pronunciation: “Rabbana ghfir li wa li wallidayya wa lil Mu'mineena yawma yaqumul hisaab.”
- English translation: “O our Lord! Cover (us) with Thy Forgiveness - me, my parents, and (all) Believers, on the Day that the Reckoning will be established!”
- Benefits: This dua specifically asks for forgiveness for your parents in addition to all Muslims so they are free from sin.^{[11]
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Dua for Repentance and Renewal of Faith

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Say اللهم إني عبدك ابن عبدك ابن أمتك ناصيتي بيدك ماضٍ في حكمك عدلٌ في قضاؤك.
- Pronunciation: “Allahumma inni ‘abduka ibnu ‘abdika ibnu amatika nasiyati biyadika maadhin fiyya hukmuka ‘adlun fiyya qadha’uka.”
- English translation: “O Allah, I am Your servant, the son of Your servant, and the son of Your maidservant. My forelock is in Your hand. Your judgment upon me is forever, and Your decree upon me is just.”
- Benefits: This dua for forgiveness asks Allah to wipe your slate clean while strengthening your relationship with Him and renewing your spiritual sense of self.^{[12]
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Dua for the Deceased

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Say اللهم اغفر لهم وارحمهم وعافهم واعف عنهم وأكرم نزلهم ووسع مدخلهم واغسلهم بالماء والثلج والبرد ونقهم من الخطايا كما ينقى الثوب الأبيض من الدنس..
- Pronunciation: “Allahumma aghfir lahum warhamhum wa ‘aafihim wa’fu ‘anhum wa akrim nuzulahum wa wassi’ mudkhalahum waghsilhum bil-ma’i wath-thalji wal-barad wa naqqihim minal-khataya kamaa yunaqqa ath-thawbu al-abyadu mina ad-danas.”
- English translation: “O Allah, forgive them, have mercy upon them, grant them ease, and pardon them. Honor their place of rest, make their entrance wide, and wash them with water, snow, and ice. Cleanse them of their sins as a white garment is cleansed of dirt.”
- Benefits: This dua can ask Allah for forgiveness for those who have passed away while forgiving and comforting them.^{[13]
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Dua for Dead Parents

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Say رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي وَلِوَالِدَيَّ وَارْحَمْهُمَا كَمَا رَبَّيَانِي صَغِيرًا.
- Pronunciation: “Rabbi ighfir li wa liwalidayya warhamhuma kama rabbayani saghira.”
- English translation: “My Lord, forgive me and my parents, and have mercy on them as they raised me when I was young.”
- Benefits: This dua for forgiveness can show love and gratitude for your deceased parents by asking dua from Allah, along with mercy, and blessings for their comfort in the afterlife.^{[14]
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Dua for a Child That Passed Away

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Say اللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْهُ لَنَا فَرَطًا وَاجْعَلْهُ لَنَا أَجْرًا وَذُخْرًا وَاجْعَلْهُ لَنَا شَافِعًا وَمُشَفَّعًا.
- Pronunciation: Allahumma aj‘alhu lana faratan, wa aj‘alhu lana ajran wa dhukhra, wa aj‘alhu lana shafi‘an wa mushaffa‘an.
- English translation: “O Allah, make him (or her) a forerunner for us, a source of reward and treasure for us, and an intercessor for us who is accepted.”
- Benefits: This dua for forgiveness can bring comfort to the parents of a deceased child so they might be reunited in heaven. By praying in Islam, they can achieve an eternal connection with their child and find peace and acceptance when asking for Allah’s mercy.^{[15]
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Dua for Allah's Forgiveness

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Say اللهم اغفر لي وتب علي إنك أنت التواب الرحيم.
- Pronunciation: “Allahumma ighfir li wa tubb 'alayya innaka anta at-tawwab ar-rahim.”
- English translation: “O Allah, forgive me and accept my repentance. Indeed, you are the Most Forgiving, the Most Merciful.”
- Benefits: This dua for forgiveness can help you open your heart to the grace of Allah and purify your heart.^{[16]
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