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40 Rabbanas A+
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“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.”
✦ One of the best duas any believer can recite. It asks for good in this world while not forgetting to ask about good in the akhira (afterlife).
“Our Lord, accept [this] from us. Indeed You are the Hearing, the Knowing.”
✦ You can recite this du’a whenever you would like for Allah (swt) to accept whatever good you’ve just done. Du’a Prophet Ibrahim (as) recited after building the kaaba with his son.
“Our Lord, and make us Muslims [in submission] to You and from our descendants a Muslim nation [in submission] to You. And show us our rites [of worship] and accept our repentance. Indeed, You are the Accepting of Repentance, the Merciful.”
✦ This du’a should be recited to affirm your faith in Islam. It also a good prayer that asks for the success of the entire Muslim Ummah. Du’a Prophet Ibrahim (as) recited after building the kaaba with his son.
“Our Lord, pour upon us patience and plant firmly our feet and give us victory over the disbelieving people.”
✦ Asking Allah (swt) for protection, patience in whatever endeavor, and to be victorious. Prophetic du’a for protection recited by Prophet dawud (as): Dawud (as) was a smaller, younger man and on paper it did not seem like he was favored to win a battle against Jalut (goliath). But we’re told, “and Allah granted him dominion and wisdom, and imparted to him the knowledge of whatever He willed.” (2:251)
“Our Lord, do not impose blame upon us if we have forgotten or erred.” – 2:127 –
✦ This is a du’a for tawbah (repentance). Asking for the forgiveness of Allah (swt) is the best kind of du’a a believer can make. It shows humility in your character, protects you from boasting or growing prideful. Constant repentance is a characteristic that shows your complete reliance on Allah (swt) for all things.
“Our Lord, and lay not upon us a burden like that which You laid upon those before us.”
✦ This is a du’a asking Allah (swt) to make the path of righteousness easy upon the believers. Asking Allah (swt) for our life’s tests to be ones that we are capable of enduring and overcoming. To not be tested more severely than our predecessors.
“Our Lord, and burden us not with that which we have no ability to bear. And pardon us; and forgive us; and have mercy upon us. You are our protector, so give us victory over the disbelieving people.”
✦ The last ayat of Surah Baqarah alone contains 3 powerful duas which can be recited together or independently. These last 2 ayat are among the most memorized verses of the Qur’an. The Messenger of Allah ( صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: “If anyone recited two verses from the last of Surah Baqarah at night, they will be sufficient for him.”
“Our Lord, let not our hearts deviate after You have guided us and grant us from Yourself mercy. Indeed, You are the Bestower.”
✦ Another beautiful du’a a believer can recite asking for Allah’s rahma (mercy). The believer understands that all things are made possible through Allah (swt). In this du’a, we ask of Allah to make us among those who are guided, to not let the environment or circumstance cause our hearts to swerve once we know the truth.
“Our Lord, surely You will gather the people for a Day about which there is no doubt. Indeed, Allah does not fail in His promise.”
✦ This is a du’a of the believers to affirm their faith in the afterlife. A place where we will either reap the rewards for our good deeds and our actions or pay the price of errors. “Indeed, Allah does not fail in his promise.”
Our Lord, indeed we have believed, so forgive us our sins and protect us from the punishment of the Fire”
✦ A du’a for repentance and protection. We ask Allah (swt) for forgiveness and to shield us from the punishment of the hellfire. “[Remember] when you were asking help of your Lord, and He answered you, ‘Indeed, I will reinforce you with a thousand from the angels, following one another.’” (8:9)
“Our Lord, we have believed in what You revealed and have followed the messenger [i.e., Jesus], so register us among the witnesses [to truth].”
✦ Du’a of faith and worship, i.e. to register us among the witnesses to the truth. In the Qur’an we’re told of how Allah (swt) saved Isa (as) from the children of Israel who plotted against him:
“Our Lord, forgive us our sins and the excess [committed] in our affairs and plant firmly our feet and give us victory over the disbelieving people.”
✦ Du’a for repentance, victory, and resiliency. To plant one’s feet firmly in the face of evil. In the following verse it says, “So Allah gave them the reward of this world and the good reward of the Hereafter. And Allah loves the doers of good.”
“Our Lord, You did not create this aimlessly; exalted are You [above such a thing]; then protect us from the punishment of the Fire.”
✦ Du’a praising Allah (swt) and asking for His protection from Jahannam (fire). If we take the time to look at the world, we see how complex yet organized all of Allah’s creations are. We can see nothing was created aimlessly. There’s a greater purpose in everyone one of his creations. This supplication is one of gratitude, shows your appreciation for the beauty in life. The du’a continues to ask Allah (swt) for protection on the day of judgment and that we be saved from the punishment of the fire.
“Our Lord, indeed whoever You admit to the Fire – You have disgraced him, and for the wrongdoers there are no helpers.”
✦ We may not think a whole lot about where we originally came from but, at some point, we’ll begin to think about where we are headed. We’ll start to ponder the consequences of our actions. It’s an important study – the relationship between cause and effect. This supplication can be used as motivation to remind yourself of where you’re going because you know the fate of the wrongdoers.
“Our Lord, indeed we have heard a caller, calling to faith, [saying], ‘Believe in your Lord,’ and we have believed.”
✦ Du’a of humility, submission and faith. We have heard a caller (referring to Prophet Muhammad saws) and we have listened to his message and we believe.
“Our Lord, so forgive us our sins and remove from us our misdeeds and cause us to die among the righteous.”
✦ A du’a for repentance, washing away our misdeeds, and asking Alla (swt) to cause us to die guided on the right path.
“Our Lord, and grant us what You promised us through Your messengers and do not disgrace us on the Day of Resurrection. Indeed, You do not fail in [Your] promise.”
✦ Du’a of humility, to be saved from being disgraced on the day of judgment. To a true believer, there is no doubt that Allah (swt) will indeed fulfill his promise. Rather this is a prayer to Allah (swt) asking to be worthy of his promise.
“Our Lord, we have believed, so register us among the witnesses.”
✦ A du’a for those who want to testify the truth and verbally affirm their belief in it. Any who is (so) grateful does so to the profit of his own soul: but if any is ungrateful, verily Allah is free of all wants, Worthy of all praise.
“O Allah, our Lord, send down to us a table [spread with food] from the heaven to be for us a festival for the first of us and the last of us and a sign from You. And provide for us, and You are the best of providers.”
✦ A du’a for provision. Provision is all encompassing term meaning to supply with food, money, or way to make a living. All good provisions come from Allah (swt), we turn to him and ask him to provide for us. This is a du’a Isa (Jesus) alayhis salaam recited asking for sufficient food for him and his followers. Allah (swt) replies in the following verse, “I am going to send it down to you; but whoever from you disbelieves after that, I shall give him a punishment I shall not give to anyone in the worlds.”
“Our Lord, we have wronged ourselves, and if You do not forgive us and have mercy upon us, we will surely be among the losers.”
✦ A du’a for repentance (tawbah). We can learn from how Adam (as) responded after he erred. Being able to admit your faults and to harbor guilt is a beautiful sign of our belief and dedication to Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala. We ask for his forgiveness and avoid repeating the same mistakes. This is the du’a Prophet Adam (as) recited after sinning in paradise.
“Our Lord, do not place us with the wrongdoing people.”
✦ We should know that we are the sum total of the people we associate with. Intellectually we may know that the fate of the wrongdoing people will not be pleasant one but, in our dayto- day life, we may be blind to this reality because it takes place inch by inch. Only when the end is shown do we realize the mistake in our judgment. Unfortunately, it’s too late by then. This du’a asks Allah to protect us from being a victim to that fate.
“Our Lord, decide between us and our people in truth, and You are the best of those who give decision.”
✦ Du’a of Prophet Suhaib (as). Prophet Suhaib (as) recited this du’a after facing heavy opposition from the eminent people of the city. They threatened to evict him from the city unless he fabricated a lie against Allah. His reply? “We would have invented against Allah a lie if we returned to your religion after Allah had saved us from it. And it is not for us to return to it except that Allah, our Lord, should will. Our Lord has encompassed all things in knowledge.” He then recited the Rabbana du’a above.
“Our Lord, pour upon us patience and let us die as Muslims [in submission to You].”
✦ Du’a of Prophet Musa (as). Du’a for sabr (patience), perseverance, and a prayer requesting Allah to let us die righteously. This was recited after Firawn resorted to persecution and threatened Musa (as) after he threw his staff and established the truth among all those who disbelieved.
“Our Lord, make us not [objects of] trial for the wrongdoing people. And save us by Your mercy from the disbelieving people.”
✦ This is a prayer the companions of Musa (as) recited asking for protection from evil and unjust people. It is a du’a for success and protection. It asks to not be made examples of by disbelieving people. They faced real persecution from the tyrannical Firawn and wanted to be a source of goodness in the world.
“Our Lord, indeed You know what we conceal and what we declare, and nothing is hidden from Allah on the earth or in the heaven.”
✦ Du’a showing complete trust and reliance on Allah (swt). This du’a is a reminder that Allah is all knowing and all powerful. That nothing can be hidden from Allah (swt). He knows the intent behind our actions, whether they be sincere or not.
“My Lord, make me an establisher of prayer, and [many] from my descendants. Our Lord, and accept my supplication.”
✦ Du’a of Prophet Ibrahim (as). Prophet Ibrahim (as) knows of the past communities and how they have erred. So, in this du’a, he asks Allah (swt) to make ourselves and the future generations good Muslims. More specifically, those who fulfill their second obligation of offering their daily prayer. The du’a concludes by asking Allah (swt) to hear and accept our supplication.
“Our Lord, forgive me and my parents and the believers the Day the account is established.”
✦ Du’a of Prophet Ibrahim (as) ✦ Du’a asking Allah (swt) to forgive yourself and to forgive your parents. Abu Hurairah (ra) said, “The dead person can be raised a degree after his death. He said, ‘My Lord, how is this?’ He was told, ‘Your child can ask for forgiveness for you.'” (Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 36)
“Our Lord, grant us from Yourself mercy and prepare for us from our affair right guidance.”
✦ Du’a seeking Allah’s (swt) approval, mercy, provision, and patience. This du’a is found in Surah Kahf (titled ‘the cave’) and was recited by the young men who fled their city fearing persecution for practicing their religion and found refuge in the cave. They turned to their creator asking for guidance in those tough times and their prayers were answered.
“Our Lord, indeed we are afraid that he will hasten [punishment] against us or that he will transgress.”
✦ Du’a both Harun (as) and Musa (as) recited: It can be difficult to stand up for what is right, to avoid being a bystander when we see injustice happening around us. It wasn’t easy either for Harun (as) and Musa (as) who feared Firawn and asked Allah for his help. Allah responded in the following verse, “Do not be afraid. I am surely with you both I hear and I see.”
“Our Lord, we have believed, so forgive us and have mercy upon us, and You are the best of the merciful.”
✦ Du’a asking for Allah’s mercy and calling upon by his rightful attribute of being Ar-Rahim meaning the most merciful.
“Our Lord, avert from us the punishment of Hell. Indeed, its punishment is ever adhering; Indeed, it is evil as a settlement and residence.”
✦ Du’a reminding us of the evil residence that is hell. It asks Allah (swt) for our protection from Jahannam.
“Our Lord, grant us from among our wives and offspring comfort to our eyes and make us a leader [i.e., example] for the righteous.”
✦ qurrata ‘ayioni is an old Arabic expression meaning to bring ‘coolness to the eye’ particularly from spiritual perspective to bring calmness, joy, or happiness. Asking Allah (swt) to grant us “coolness of the eyes” among our wives and through our children and future generations. To gift us as being a good leader, a role model for the righteous.
“Our Lord is Forgiving and Appreciative”
✦ The Qur’an mentions how this will be the type of du’a a believer would recite when they enter the Garden of Eden. They will praise Allah (swt) and thank him endlessly for being forgiving and appreciative. We are imperfect, we will do wrong and still Allah (swt) will forgive us and appreciate our efforts to do the little provision of deeds that we did in our lifetime. Little because we can never do enough to truly be deserving of the rewards in paradise. In this du’a it refer to Allah as Al-Ghafoor and Ash-Shakur two of His rightful names and attribute.
“Our Lord, You have encompassed all things in mercy and knowledge, so forgive those who have repented and followed Your way and protect them from the punishment of Hellfire.”
✦ Allah’s (swt) knowledge and his mercy know no limit, it is infinite. This du’a asks Allah (swt) to be merciful towards all those who believe and have sought istighfar (repentance) from their creator.
“Our Lord, and admit them to gardens of perpetual residence which You have promised them and whoever was righteous among their forefathers, their spouses and their offspring. Indeed, it is You who is the Exalted in Might, the Wise. And protect them from the evil consequences [of their deeds]. And he whom You protect from evil consequences that Day – You will have given him mercy. And that is the great attainment.”
✦ A du’a asking to unite the believers with their descendants in Jannah (i.e., to be reunited with your forefathers, spouses, and children.) This du’a also calls upon Allah (swt) using his rightful attributes of being Al-Aziz (the mighty one) and Al-Hakeem (the wise one). The du’a concludes by asking for protection on the day of judgment and asks to receive his mercy which would be the best of all gifts.
“Our Lord, forgive us and our brothers who preceded us in faith and put not in our hearts [any] resentment toward those who have believed.”
✦ A du’a which reflects the attitude we should have for our fellow Muslim brothers and sisters. Those who “preceded us in faith” would refer to those who embraced Islam before the emigration from Makkah to Yathrib. Those who came after would be everyone who accepted Islam after the migration. This du’a is a reminder that we are one Ummah and we should not harbor resentment or hate towards one another. We must continue with love in our hearts for our community and to resist being envious towards any good Allah (swt) may have bestowed on another person.
“Our Lord, indeed You are Kind and Merciful.”
✦ A du’a of praise using two of Allah’s rightful names and attributes. The first being Ar-Ra’uf meaning the benign one, the one who is extremely kind and compassionate. The second being Ar-Raheem meaning the most merciful, the one who acts with extreme kindness, bestowing mercy upon his creations.
“Our Lord, upon You we have relied, and to You we have returned, and to You is the destination.”
✦ We must show complete trust and reliance in Allah (swt) for all matters. This du’a is one that affirms that we have relied on Him alone. Furthermore, it is also a prayer of remembrance that this life is only temporary. The final destination is when we return to Allah (swt).
“Our Lord, make us not [objects of] torment for the disbelievers and forgive us, our Lord. Indeed, it is You who is the Exalted in Might, the Wise.”
✦ Du’a of Prophet Ibrahim (as): This is a du’a Prophet Ibrahim (as) recited asking to make the believers victorious over the disbelievers. To not make us “objects of torment” meaning if the disbelievers won, they would falsely assume what they followed was correct. They would question how Allah (swt) would allow his believers to lose. The du’a then continues referring to Allah (swt) as azeezul hakeem meaning the most powerful and wise.
“Our Lord, perfect for us our light and forgive us. Indeed, You are over all things competent.”
✦ Another beautiful du’a asking for Jannah. We learn in Surah Al-Hadid verse 12 how on the day of judgment the believing men and women will have a light illuminating from their right hands. They will be told “a good tiding for you today.” The hypocrites will find themselves stumbling in darkness. This du’a asks Allah (swt) to perfect or to complete our light on that day and to forgive us our sins. Indeed, Allah (swt) is competent and powerful over all things.
رَبَّنَآ ءَاتِنَا فِي ٱلدُّنۡيَا حَسَنَةٗ وَفِي ٱلۡأٓخِرَةِ حَسَنَةٗ وَقِنَا عَذَابَ ٱلنَّارِ
“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.”
✦ One of the best duas any believer can recite. It asks for good in this world while not forgetting to ask about good in the akhira (afterlife).
رَبَّنَا تَقَبَّلۡ مِنَّآۖ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلۡعَلِيمُ
“Our Lord, accept [this] from us. Indeed You are the Hearing, the Knowing.”
✦ You can recite this du’a whenever you would like for Allah (swt) to accept whatever good you’ve just done. Du’a Prophet Ibrahim (as) recited after building the kaaba with his son.
رَبَّنَا وَٱجۡعَلۡنَا مُسۡلِمَيۡنِ لَكَ وَمِن ذُرِّيَّتِنَآ أُمَّةٗ مُّسۡلِمَةٗ لَّكَ وَأَرِنَا مَنَاسِكَنَا وَتُبۡ عَلَيۡنَآۖ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلتَّوَّابُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ
“Our Lord, and make us Muslims [in submission] to You and from our descendants a Muslim nation [in submission] to You. And show us our rites [of worship] and accept our repentance. Indeed, You are the Accepting of Repentance, the Merciful.”
✦ This du’a should be recited to affirm your faith in Islam. It also a good prayer that asks for the success of the entire Muslim Ummah. Du’a Prophet Ibrahim (as) recited after building the kaaba with his son.
رَبَّنَآ أَفۡرِغۡ عَلَيۡنَا صَبۡرٗا وَثَبِّتۡ أَقۡدَامَنَا وَٱنصُرۡنَا عَلَى ٱلۡقَوۡمِ ٱلۡكَٰفِرِينَ
“Our Lord, pour upon us patience and plant firmly our feet and give us victory over the disbelieving people.”
✦ Asking Allah (swt) for protection, patience in whatever endeavor, and to be victorious. Prophetic du’a for protection recited by Prophet dawud (as): Dawud (as) was a smaller, younger man and on paper it did not seem like he was favored to win a battle against Jalut (goliath). But we’re told, “and Allah granted him dominion and wisdom, and imparted to him the knowledge of whatever He willed.” (2:251)
رَبَّنَا لَا تُؤَاخِذۡنَآ إِن نَّسِينَآ أَوۡ أَخۡطَأۡنَاۚ
“Our Lord, do not impose blame upon us if we have forgotten or erred.” – 2:127 –
✦ This is a du’a for tawbah (repentance). Asking for the forgiveness of Allah (swt) is the best kind of du’a a believer can make. It shows humility in your character, protects you from boasting or growing prideful. Constant repentance is a characteristic that shows your complete reliance on Allah (swt) for all things.
رَبَّنَا وَلَا تَحۡمِلۡ عَلَيۡنَآ إِصۡرٗا كَمَا حَمَلۡتَهُۥ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبۡلِنَاۚ
“Our Lord, and lay not upon us a burden like that which You laid upon those before us.”
✦ This is a du’a asking Allah (swt) to make the path of righteousness easy upon the believers. Asking Allah (swt) for our life’s tests to be ones that we are capable of enduring and overcoming. To not be tested more severely than our predecessors.
رَبَّنَا وَلَا تُحَمِّلۡنَا مَا لَا طَاقَةَ لَنَا بِهِۦۖ وَٱعۡفُ عَنَّا وَٱغۡفِرۡ لَنَا وَٱرۡحَمۡنَآۚ أَنتَ مَوۡلَىٰنَا فَٱنصُرۡنَا عَلَى ٱلۡقَوۡمِ ٱلۡكَٰفِرِينَ
“Our Lord, and burden us not with that which we have no ability to bear. And pardon us; and forgive us; and have mercy upon us. You are our protector, so give us victory over the disbelieving people.”
✦ The last ayat of Surah Baqarah alone contains 3 powerful duas which can be recited together or independently. These last 2 ayat are among the most memorized verses of the Qur’an. The Messenger of Allah ( صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: “If anyone recited two verses from the last of Surah Baqarah at night, they will be sufficient for him.”
رَبَّنَا لَا تُزِغۡ قُلُوبَنَا بَعۡدَ إِذۡ هَدَيۡتَنَا وَهَبۡ لَنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ رَحۡمَةًۚ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلۡوَهَّابُ
“Our Lord, let not our hearts deviate after You have guided us and grant us from Yourself mercy. Indeed, You are the Bestower.”
✦ Another beautiful du’a a believer can recite asking for Allah’s rahma (mercy). The believer understands that all things are made possible through Allah (swt). In this du’a, we ask of Allah to make us among those who are guided, to not let the environment or circumstance cause our hearts to swerve once we know the truth.
رَبَّنَآ إِنَّكَ جَامِعُ ٱلنَّاسِ لِيَوْمٍ لَّا رَيْبَ فِيهِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُخْلِفُ ٱلْمِيعَادَ
“Our Lord, surely You will gather the people for a Day about which there is no doubt. Indeed, Allah does not fail in His promise.”
✦ This is a du’a of the believers to affirm their faith in the afterlife. A place where we will either reap the rewards for our good deeds and our actions or pay the price of errors. “Indeed, Allah does not fail in his promise.”
رَبَّنَآ إِنَّنَآ ءَامَنَّا فَٱغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا وَقِنَا عَذَابَ ٱلنَّارِ
Our Lord, indeed we have believed, so forgive us our sins and protect us from the punishment of the Fire”
✦ A du’a for repentance and protection. We ask Allah (swt) for forgiveness and to shield us from the punishment of the hellfire. “[Remember] when you were asking help of your Lord, and He answered you, ‘Indeed, I will reinforce you with a thousand from the angels, following one another.’” (8:9)
رَبَّنَآ ءَامَنَّا بِمَآ أَنزَلۡتَ وَٱتَّبَعۡنَا ٱلرَّسُولَ فَٱكۡتُبۡنَا مَعَ ٱلشَّـٰهِدِينَ
“Our Lord, we have believed in what You revealed and have followed the messenger [i.e., Jesus], so register us among the witnesses [to truth].”
✦ Du’a of faith and worship, i.e. to register us among the witnesses to the truth. In the Qur’an we’re told of how Allah (swt) saved Isa (as) from the children of Israel who plotted against him:
رَبَّنَا ٱغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا وَإِسْرَافَنَا فِىٓ أَمْرِنَا وَثَبِّتْ أَقْدَامَنَا وَٱنصُرْنَا عَلَى ٱلْقَوْمِ ٱلْكَٰفِرِينَ
“Our Lord, forgive us our sins and the excess [committed] in our affairs and plant firmly our feet and give us victory over the disbelieving people.”
✦ Du’a for repentance, victory, and resiliency. To plant one’s feet firmly in the face of evil. In the following verse it says, “So Allah gave them the reward of this world and the good reward of the Hereafter. And Allah loves the doers of good.”
رَبَّنَا مَا خَلَقْتَ هَٰذَا بَٰطِلًا سُبْحَٰنَكَ فَقِنَا عَذَابَ ٱلنَّارِ
“Our Lord, You did not create this aimlessly; exalted are You [above such a thing]; then protect us from the punishment of the Fire.”
✦ Du’a praising Allah (swt) and asking for His protection from Jahannam (fire). If we take the time to look at the world, we see how complex yet organized all of Allah’s creations are. We can see nothing was created aimlessly. There’s a greater purpose in everyone one of his creations. This supplication is one of gratitude, shows your appreciation for the beauty in life. The du’a continues to ask Allah (swt) for protection on the day of judgment and that we be saved from the punishment of the fire.
رَبَّنَآ إِنَّكَ مَن تُدْخِلِ ٱلنَّارَ فَقَدْ أَخْزَيْتَهُۥ ۖ وَمَا لِلظَّٰلِمِينَ مِنْ أَنصَارٍ
“Our Lord, indeed whoever You admit to the Fire – You have disgraced him, and for the wrongdoers there are no helpers.”
✦ We may not think a whole lot about where we originally came from but, at some point, we’ll begin to think about where we are headed. We’ll start to ponder the consequences of our actions. It’s an important study – the relationship between cause and effect. This supplication can be used as motivation to remind yourself of where you’re going because you know the fate of the wrongdoers.
رَّبَّنَآ إِنَّنَا سَمِعۡنَا مُنَادِيٗا يُنَادِي لِلۡإِيمَٰنِ أَنۡ ءَامِنُواْ بِرَبِّكُمۡ فَـَٔامَنَّاۚ
“Our Lord, indeed we have heard a caller, calling to faith, [saying], ‘Believe in your Lord,’ and we have believed.”
✦ Du’a of humility, submission and faith. We have heard a caller (referring to Prophet Muhammad saws) and we have listened to his message and we believe.
رَبَّنَا فَٱغۡفِرۡ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا وَكَفِّرۡ عَنَّا سَيِّـَٔاتِنَا وَتَوَفَّنَا مَعَ ٱلۡأَبۡرَارِ
“Our Lord, so forgive us our sins and remove from us our misdeeds and cause us to die among the righteous.”
✦ A du’a for repentance, washing away our misdeeds, and asking Alla (swt) to cause us to die guided on the right path.
رَبَّنَا وَءَاتِنَا مَا وَعَدتَّنَا عَلَىٰ رُسُلِكَ وَلَا تُخْزِنَا يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ ۗ إِنَّكَ لَا تُخْلِفُ ٱلْمِيعَادَ
“Our Lord, and grant us what You promised us through Your messengers and do not disgrace us on the Day of Resurrection. Indeed, You do not fail in [Your] promise.”
✦ Du’a of humility, to be saved from being disgraced on the day of judgment. To a true believer, there is no doubt that Allah (swt) will indeed fulfill his promise. Rather this is a prayer to Allah (swt) asking to be worthy of his promise.
رَبَّنَآ ءَامَنَّا فَٱكْتُبْنَا مَعَ ٱلشَّٰهِدِينَ
“Our Lord, we have believed, so register us among the witnesses.”
✦ A du’a for those who want to testify the truth and verbally affirm their belief in it. Any who is (so) grateful does so to the profit of his own soul: but if any is ungrateful, verily Allah is free of all wants, Worthy of all praise.
رَبَّنَآ أَنزِلْ عَلَيْنَا مَآئِدَةً مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ تَكُونُ لَنَا عِيدًا لِّأَوَّلِنَا وَءَاخِرِنَا وَءَايَةً مِّنكَ ۖ وَٱرْزُقْنَا وَأَنتَ خَيْرُ ٱلرَّٰزِقِينَ
“O Allah, our Lord, send down to us a table [spread with food] from the heaven to be for us a festival for the first of us and the last of us and a sign from You. And provide for us, and You are the best of providers.”
✦ A du’a for provision. Provision is all encompassing term meaning to supply with food, money, or way to make a living. All good provisions come from Allah (swt), we turn to him and ask him to provide for us. This is a du’a Isa (Jesus) alayhis salaam recited asking for sufficient food for him and his followers. Allah (swt) replies in the following verse, “I am going to send it down to you; but whoever from you disbelieves after that, I shall give him a punishment I shall not give to anyone in the worlds.”
رَبَّنَا ظَلَمْنَآ أَنفُسَنَا وَإِن لَّمْ تَغْفِرْ لَنَا وَتَرْحَمْنَا لَنَكُونَنَّ مِنَ ٱلْخَٰسِرِينَ
“Our Lord, we have wronged ourselves, and if You do not forgive us and have mercy upon us, we will surely be among the losers.”
✦ A du’a for repentance (tawbah). We can learn from how Adam (as) responded after he erred. Being able to admit your faults and to harbor guilt is a beautiful sign of our belief and dedication to Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala. We ask for his forgiveness and avoid repeating the same mistakes. This is the du’a Prophet Adam (as) recited after sinning in paradise.
رَبَّنَا لَا تَجۡعَلۡنَا مَعَ ٱلۡقَوۡمِ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ
“Our Lord, do not place us with the wrongdoing people.”
✦ We should know that we are the sum total of the people we associate with. Intellectually we may know that the fate of the wrongdoing people will not be pleasant one but, in our dayto- day life, we may be blind to this reality because it takes place inch by inch. Only when the end is shown do we realize the mistake in our judgment. Unfortunately, it’s too late by then. This du’a asks Allah to protect us from being a victim to that fate.
رَبَّنَا ٱفۡتَحۡ بَيۡنَنَا وَبَيۡنَ قَوۡمِنَا بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَأَنتَ خَيۡرُ ٱلۡفَٰتِحِينَ
“Our Lord, decide between us and our people in truth, and You are the best of those who give decision.”
✦ Du’a of Prophet Suhaib (as). Prophet Suhaib (as) recited this du’a after facing heavy opposition from the eminent people of the city. They threatened to evict him from the city unless he fabricated a lie against Allah. His reply? “We would have invented against Allah a lie if we returned to your religion after Allah had saved us from it. And it is not for us to return to it except that Allah, our Lord, should will. Our Lord has encompassed all things in knowledge.” He then recited the Rabbana du’a above.
رَبَّنَآ أَفْرِغْ عَلَيْنَا صَبْرًا وَتَوَفَّنَا مُسْلِمِينَ
“Our Lord, pour upon us patience and let us die as Muslims [in submission to You].”
✦ Du’a of Prophet Musa (as). Du’a for sabr (patience), perseverance, and a prayer requesting Allah to let us die righteously. This was recited after Firawn resorted to persecution and threatened Musa (as) after he threw his staff and established the truth among all those who disbelieved.
رَبَّنَا لَا تَجۡعَلۡنَا فِتۡنَةٗ لِّلۡقَوۡمِ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ ; وَنَجِّنَا بِرَحۡمَتِكَ مِنَ ٱلۡقَوۡمِ ٱلۡكَٰفِرِينَ
“Our Lord, make us not [objects of] trial for the wrongdoing people. And save us by Your mercy from the disbelieving people.”
✦ This is a prayer the companions of Musa (as) recited asking for protection from evil and unjust people. It is a du’a for success and protection. It asks to not be made examples of by disbelieving people. They faced real persecution from the tyrannical Firawn and wanted to be a source of goodness in the world.
رَبَّنَآ إِنَّكَ تَعْلَمُ مَا نُخْفِى وَمَا نُعْلِنُ ۗ وَمَا يَخْفَىٰ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ مِن شَىْءٍۢ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَلَا فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ
“Our Lord, indeed You know what we conceal and what we declare, and nothing is hidden from Allah on the earth or in the heaven.”
✦ Du’a showing complete trust and reliance on Allah (swt). This du’a is a reminder that Allah is all knowing and all powerful. That nothing can be hidden from Allah (swt). He knows the intent behind our actions, whether they be sincere or not.
رَبِّ اجْعَلْنِي مُقِيمَ الصَّلَاةِ وَمِنْ ذُرِّيَّتِي ۚ رَبَّنَا وَتَقَبَّلْ دُعَآءِ
“My Lord, make me an establisher of prayer, and [many] from my descendants. Our Lord, and accept my supplication.”
✦ Du’a of Prophet Ibrahim (as). Prophet Ibrahim (as) knows of the past communities and how they have erred. So, in this du’a, he asks Allah (swt) to make ourselves and the future generations good Muslims. More specifically, those who fulfill their second obligation of offering their daily prayer. The du’a concludes by asking Allah (swt) to hear and accept our supplication.
رَبَّنَا ٱغۡفِرۡ لِي وَلِوَٰلِدَيَّ وَلِلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ يَوۡمَ يَقُومُ ٱلۡحِسَابُ
“Our Lord, forgive me and my parents and the believers the Day the account is established.”
✦ Du’a of Prophet Ibrahim (as) ✦ Du’a asking Allah (swt) to forgive yourself and to forgive your parents. Abu Hurairah (ra) said, “The dead person can be raised a degree after his death. He said, ‘My Lord, how is this?’ He was told, ‘Your child can ask for forgiveness for you.'” (Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 36)
رَبَّنَآ ءَتِنَا مِنْ لَدُنْكَ رَحْمَةً وَهَيِّئْ لَنَا مِنْ أَمْرِنَا رَشَدًا
“Our Lord, grant us from Yourself mercy and prepare for us from our affair right guidance.”
✦ Du’a seeking Allah’s (swt) approval, mercy, provision, and patience. This du’a is found in Surah Kahf (titled ‘the cave’) and was recited by the young men who fled their city fearing persecution for practicing their religion and found refuge in the cave. They turned to their creator asking for guidance in those tough times and their prayers were answered.
رَبَّنَآ إِنَّنَا نَخَافُ أَن يَفْرُطَ عَلَيْنَآ أَوْ أَن يَطْغَى
“Our Lord, indeed we are afraid that he will hasten [punishment] against us or that he will transgress.”
✦ Du’a both Harun (as) and Musa (as) recited: It can be difficult to stand up for what is right, to avoid being a bystander when we see injustice happening around us. It wasn’t easy either for Harun (as) and Musa (as) who feared Firawn and asked Allah for his help. Allah responded in the following verse, “Do not be afraid. I am surely with you both I hear and I see.”
رَبَّنَآ ءَامَنَّا فَٱغۡفِرۡ لَنَا وَٱرۡحَمۡنَا وَأَنتَ خَيۡرُ ٱلرَّـٰحِمِينَ
“Our Lord, we have believed, so forgive us and have mercy upon us, and You are the best of the merciful.”
✦ Du’a asking for Allah’s mercy and calling upon by his rightful attribute of being Ar-Rahim meaning the most merciful.
رَبَّنَا اصْرِفْ عَنَّا عَذَابَ جَهَنَّمَ إِنَّ عَذَابَهَا كَانَ غَرَامًا إِنَّهَا سَآءَتْ مُسْتَقَرًّا وَمُقَامًا
“Our Lord, avert from us the punishment of Hell. Indeed, its punishment is ever adhering; Indeed, it is evil as a settlement and residence.”
✦ Du’a reminding us of the evil residence that is hell. It asks Allah (swt) for our protection from Jahannam.
رَبَّنَا هَبۡ لَنَا مِنۡ أَزۡوَٰجِنَا وَذُرِّيَّـٰتِنَا قُرَّةَ أَعۡيُنٖ وَٱجۡعَلۡنَا لِلۡمُتَّقِينَ إِمَامًا
“Our Lord, grant us from among our wives and offspring comfort to our eyes and make us a leader [i.e., example] for the righteous.”
✦ qurrata ‘ayioni is an old Arabic expression meaning to bring ‘coolness to the eye’ particularly from spiritual perspective to bring calmness, joy, or happiness. Asking Allah (swt) to grant us “coolness of the eyes” among our wives and through our children and future generations. To gift us as being a good leader, a role model for the righteous.
رَبَّنَا لَغَفُورٌ شَكُورٌ
“Our Lord is Forgiving and Appreciative”
✦ The Qur’an mentions how this will be the type of du’a a believer would recite when they enter the Garden of Eden. They will praise Allah (swt) and thank him endlessly for being forgiving and appreciative. We are imperfect, we will do wrong and still Allah (swt) will forgive us and appreciate our efforts to do the little provision of deeds that we did in our lifetime. Little because we can never do enough to truly be deserving of the rewards in paradise. In this du’a it refer to Allah as Al-Ghafoor and Ash-Shakur two of His rightful names and attribute.
رَبَّنَا وَسِعۡتَ كُلَّ شَيۡءٖ رَّحۡمَةٗ وَعِلۡمٗا فَٱغۡفِرۡ لِلَّذِينَ تَابُواْ وَٱتَّبَعُواْ سَبِيلَكَ وَقِهِمۡ عَذَابَ ٱلۡجَحِيمِ
“Our Lord, You have encompassed all things in mercy and knowledge, so forgive those who have repented and followed Your way and protect them from the punishment of Hellfire.”
✦ Allah’s (swt) knowledge and his mercy know no limit, it is infinite. This du’a asks Allah (swt) to be merciful towards all those who believe and have sought istighfar (repentance) from their creator.
رَبَّنَا وَأَدۡخِلۡهُمۡ جَنَّـٰتِ عَدۡنٍ ٱلَّتِي وَعَدتَّهُمۡ وَمَن صَلَحَ مِنۡ ءَابَآئِهِمۡ وَأَزۡوَٰجِهِمۡ وَذُرِّيَّـٰتِهِمۡۚ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلۡعَزِيزُ ٱلۡحَكِيمُ وَقِهِمُ ٱلسَّيِّـَٔاتِۚ وَمَن تَقِ ٱلسَّيِّـَٔاتِ يَوۡمَئِذٖ فَقَدۡ رَحِمۡتَهُۥۚ وَذَٰلِكَ هُوَ ٱلۡفَوۡزُ ٱلۡعَظِيمُ
“Our Lord, and admit them to gardens of perpetual residence which You have promised them and whoever was righteous among their forefathers, their spouses and their offspring. Indeed, it is You who is the Exalted in Might, the Wise. And protect them from the evil consequences [of their deeds]. And he whom You protect from evil consequences that Day – You will have given him mercy. And that is the great attainment.”
✦ A du’a asking to unite the believers with their descendants in Jannah (i.e., to be reunited with your forefathers, spouses, and children.) This du’a also calls upon Allah (swt) using his rightful attributes of being Al-Aziz (the mighty one) and Al-Hakeem (the wise one). The du’a concludes by asking for protection on the day of judgment and asks to receive his mercy which would be the best of all gifts.
رَبَّنَا اغْفِرْ لَنَا وَلِإِخْوَانِنَا الَّذِينَ سَبَقُونَا بِالْإِيمَانِ وَلَا تَجْعَلْ فِي قُلُوبِنَا غِلًّا لِّلَّذِينَ اٰمَنُوا
“Our Lord, forgive us and our brothers who preceded us in faith and put not in our hearts [any] resentment toward those who have believed.”
✦ A du’a which reflects the attitude we should have for our fellow Muslim brothers and sisters. Those who “preceded us in faith” would refer to those who embraced Islam before the emigration from Makkah to Yathrib. Those who came after would be everyone who accepted Islam after the migration. This du’a is a reminder that we are one Ummah and we should not harbor resentment or hate towards one another. We must continue with love in our hearts for our community and to resist being envious towards any good Allah (swt) may have bestowed on another person.
رَبَّنَآ إِنَّكَ رَءُوفٞ رَّحِيمٌ
“Our Lord, indeed You are Kind and Merciful.”
✦ A du’a of praise using two of Allah’s rightful names and attributes. The first being Ar-Ra’uf meaning the benign one, the one who is extremely kind and compassionate. The second being Ar-Raheem meaning the most merciful, the one who acts with extreme kindness, bestowing mercy upon his creations.
رَّبَّنَا عَلَيۡكَ تَوَكَّلۡنَا وَإِلَيۡكَ أَنَبۡنَا وَإِلَيۡكَ ٱلۡمَصِيرُ
“Our Lord, upon You we have relied, and to You we have returned, and to You is the destination.”
✦ We must show complete trust and reliance in Allah (swt) for all matters. This du’a is one that affirms that we have relied on Him alone. Furthermore, it is also a prayer of remembrance that this life is only temporary. The final destination is when we return to Allah (swt).
رَبَّنَا لَا تَجۡعَلۡنَا فِتۡنَةٗ لِّلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ وَٱغۡفِرۡ لَنَا رَبَّنَآۖ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلۡعَزِيزُ ٱلۡحَكِيمُ
“Our Lord, make us not [objects of] torment for the disbelievers and forgive us, our Lord. Indeed, it is You who is the Exalted in Might, the Wise.”
✦ Du’a of Prophet Ibrahim (as): This is a du’a Prophet Ibrahim (as) recited asking to make the believers victorious over the disbelievers. To not make us “objects of torment” meaning if the disbelievers won, they would falsely assume what they followed was correct. They would question how Allah (swt) would allow his believers to lose. The du’a then continues referring to Allah (swt) as azeezul hakeem meaning the most powerful and wise.
رَبَّنَآ أَتۡمِمۡ لَنَا نُورَنَا وَٱغۡفِرۡ لَنَآۖ إِنَّكَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيۡءٖ قَدِيرٞ
“Our Lord, perfect for us our light and forgive us. Indeed, You are over all things competent.”
✦ Another beautiful du’a asking for Jannah. We learn in Surah Al-Hadid verse 12 how on the day of judgment the believing men and women will have a light illuminating from their right hands. They will be told “a good tiding for you today.” The hypocrites will find themselves stumbling in darkness. This du’a asks Allah (swt) to perfect or to complete our light on that day and to forgive us our sins. Indeed, Allah (swt) is competent and powerful over all things.
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Quranic Duas