This Hadith is quoted in Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim (The Book (#48) Pertaining to the Remembrance of Allah, Supplication, Repentance and Seeking Forgiveness - كتاب الذكر والدعاء والتوبة والاستغفار / Chapter # 10 The Virtue of Tahlil (Saying La Ilaha Ill-Allah), Tasbih (Saying Subhan Allah) And (Du'a) Supplication / باب فَضْلِ التَّهْلِيلِ وَالتَّسْبِيحِ وَالدُّعَاءِ ) as Hadith number # 2697a:
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو كَامِلٍ الْجَحْدَرِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْوَاحِدِ، - يَعْنِي ابْنَ زِيَادٍ - حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو مَالِكٍ الأَشْجَعِيُّ عَنْ أَبِيهِ، قَالَ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يُعَلِّمُ مَنْ أَسْلَمَ يَقُولُ " اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي وَارْحَمْنِي وَاهْدِنِي وَارْزُقْنِي ".
Abu Malik Ashaja'i reported on the authority of his father that whenever a person embraced Islam, Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) instructed him to recite: " O Allah, grant me pardon, have mercy upon me, direct me to the path of righteousness and provide me sustenance."
Since one's life before embracing Islam was a life lived in the darkness and without any direction, one should thank Allah and beseech Him to forgive his past life and shower upon him His mercy and keep him on the righteous path forever. From now on, one must sustain oneself on Halal means of sustenance and abstain from the lewdness of the past life.
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ also on another occasion recommended this supplication to a person who had come to the Prophet of Allah and asked him how should he beg his Lord in appropriate words so that his supplication is heard and responded to.
Explanation of Each Phrase
- اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي (Allahumma ighfir li) - "O Allah, grant me pardon"
- Meaning: This is a plea for Allah’s forgiveness for one’s sins. It reflects a recognition of human fallibility and a desire for spiritual purification.
- Quranic Reference:
Surah Al-Imran (3:135): "And those who, when they commit an immorality or wrong themselves [by transgression], remember Allah and seek forgiveness for their sins—and who can forgive sins except Allah?—and [who] do not persist in what they have done while they know."
- وَارْحَمْنِي (warhamni) - "Have mercy upon me"
- Meaning: This is a request for Allah's mercy, encompassing all forms of compassion and grace from Allah, both in this life and the hereafter.
- Quranic Reference:
Surah Al-A'raf (7:151): "Moses said, 'My Lord, forgive me and my brother and admit us into Your mercy, for You are the most merciful of the merciful.'"
- وَاهْدِنِي (wahdini) - "Direct me to the path of righteousness"
- Meaning: This is a supplication for guidance to the right path, asking Allah to show the way of truth, righteousness, and virtue.
- Quranic Reference: Surah Al-Fatihah (1:6): "Guide us to the straight path."
- وَارْزُقْنِي (warzuqni) - "Provide me sustenance"
- Meaning: This is a prayer for provision and sustenance, asking Allah to grant what is needed to live and sustain oneself, including both material and spiritual sustenance.
- Quranic Reference:
Surah Al-Baqarah (2:201): "But among them is he who says, 'Our Lord, give us in this world [that which is] good and in the Hereafter [that which is] good and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.'"
Significance of the Supplication: This supplication comprehensively covers the essential needs of a believer:
- Forgiveness: Seeking forgiveness is central to a Muslim’s relationship with Allah. It acknowledges human imperfection and the need for divine pardon.
- Mercy: Asking for mercy encompasses a broad spectrum of Allah's blessings and protection from harm.
- Guidance: Seeking guidance is a fundamental aspect of Islamic life, reflecting a desire to remain on the path of righteousness.
- Sustenance: Praying for sustenance includes both the physical needs necessary for survival and spiritual provisions needed for inner peace and faith.
This supplication, as taught by the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), is a profound and comprehensive prayer encapsulating key aspects of a believer’s needs: forgiveness, mercy, guidance, and sustenance. Each phrase is deeply rooted in Quranic teachings, reflecting the holistic approach of Islam towards a balanced and righteous life. By reciting this supplication, a believer seeks to align their life with the divine will, ensuring both worldly well-being and spiritual success.
Just ponder over each of the four things mentioned in the supplication: One must begin by confessing his sins and pleading for pardon, and then asking for continued mercy of Allah Almighty. He should then seek protection from all the evils that surround him so that he is not deterred from walking on Sirat e Mustaqeem. And then in the last comes request for means of sustenance. This simple yet very powerful supplication provides us with a format as to plead to our Lord and ask for His countless favours on us.
May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door.
وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ
(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”
That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.
May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.
Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.
Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.
Please refer to our reference page: Sunnah and Hadith of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to know more about sunnah of Prophet of Allah. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.
Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references as given below. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors. If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.
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