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 (O Allah! I have done great injustice to myself and none except You forgives sins, so bestow on me a forgiveness from You, and Have Mercy on me, You are the Forgiver, the Merciful).
Meaning of the supplication:
- Acknowledgment of Sin and Injustice: "O Allah! I have done great injustice to myself": This part of the supplication shows humility and self-awareness, acknowledging that the individual has wronged themselves through their actions and sins. In Islam, sinning is seen as an injustice to oneself because it harms one's spiritual state and distances one from Allah.
- Recognition of Allah’s Exclusive Ability to Forgive: "and none except You forgives sins": This emphasizes the belief that only Allah has the power to forgive sins. It reflects Tawheed (the oneness of Allah) and the understanding that ultimate forgiveness and mercy come solely from Him.
- Plea for Forgiveness: "so bestow on me a forgiveness from You": The supplicant asks Allah for His divine forgiveness, recognizing their need for His mercy to cleanse their soul and rectify their wrongdoings.
- Request for Mercy: "and have mercy on me": Along with forgiveness, the supplicant seeks Allah's mercy, which encompasses compassion, protection, and relief from the consequences of sins.
- Attributes of Allah: "You are the Forgiver, the Merciful": This acknowledges two of Allah’s names and attributes: Al-Ghafur (the Forgiver) and Ar-Rahim (the Merciful). By invoking these names, the supplicant appeals to Allah’s infinite capacity to forgive and show mercy. Please click on the highlighted text to know the meaning of these attributes. (Al-Ghafur (الغفور) / Ar Rahim (الرحيم) )
Significance in Islamic Practice
- Act of Repentance: This supplication is a form of Tawbah (repentance), where a believer turns to Allah, seeking forgiveness for their sins with sincere regret and a resolve not to return to those sins.
- Spiritual Cleansing: Regularly reciting such supplications helps in spiritual cleansing and maintaining a close and humble relationship with Allah.
- Reliance on Allah: It teaches reliance on Allah’s mercy and forgiveness, reinforcing the belief that no matter how great the sin, Allah’s mercy is greater.
This supplication is a beautiful and comprehensive prayer of repentance that captures the essence of seeking Allah’s forgiveness and mercy. It is an acknowledgment of one’s shortcomings and an appeal to Allah’s unparalleled capacity to forgive and show mercy. Regularly reciting such supplications can help believers maintain humility, seek continuous spiritual growth, and foster a deeper connection with Allah.
Let us first of all try our best not to fall prey to evil, for temptations to sin are always very lucrative. But if God forbids one does fall under the evil influence, one must immediately repent and seek Allah's forgiveness. Rest assured Allah is oft forgiving and extremely merciful.
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.
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.
2 comments:
Allah is the most merciful for all human beings. He is the great Forgiver. Evilness invites mankind towards all wrong things. If any time, one is mislead HE MUST BE ASHAMED OF BY HEART purely and seek mercy from Allah. Allah forgives and will never disappoint you.
Author has made a great effort to make us understand.
Anwar Butt Gujranwala
Seeking shelter of Allah from Satan
جزاک اللہ خیر
Post a Comment