: The Supplication That One Should Recite In The Morning And In The Evening Sunan Ibn Majah 3872

Sunan Ibn Majah 3872
Arabic hadith text
حَدَّثَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ بْنُ عُيَيْنَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا الْوَلِيدُ بْنُ ثَعْلَبَةَ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ابْنِ بُرَيْدَةَ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ ‏"‏ اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ رَبِّي لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ أَنْتَ خَلَقْتَنِي وَأَنَا عَبْدُكَ وَأَنَا عَلَى عَهْدِكَ وَوَعْدِكَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُ أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا صَنَعْتُ أَبُوءُ بِنِعْمَتِكَ وَأَبُوءُ بِذَنْبِي فَاغْفِرْ لِي فَإِنَّهُ لاَ يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلاَّ أَنْتَ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ ‏"‏ مَنْ قَالَهَا فِي يَوْمِهِ وَلَيْلَتِهِ فَمَاتَ فِي ذَلِكَ الْيَوْمِ أَوْ تِلْكَ اللَّيْلَةِ دَخَلَ الْجَنَّةَ إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى ‏"
Translation
It was narrated from 'Abdullah bin Buraidah that

his father said: "The Messenger of Allah (saas) said: 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 bi ni'matika wa abu'u bi dhanbi faghfirli, fa innahu la yaghfirudh-dhunuba illa Anta (O Allah, You are my Lord, there is none worthy of worship except You. You have created me and I am Your slave, and I am adhering to Your covenant and Your promise as much as I can. I seek refuge with You from the evil of what I do. I acknowledge Your blessing and I acknowledge my sin, so forgive me, for there is none who can forgive sin except You)."He said: "The Messenger of Allah (saas) said: 'Whoever says this by day and by night, if he dies that day or that night, he will enter Paradise if Allah wills."

Commentary

Overview & Central Theme

This hadith, recorded in Sunan Ibn Majah (3872) on the authority of a companion’s father, presents a comprehensive supplication known as *Sayyid al-Istighfar* (the Master of Seeking Forgiveness). Its central theme is the convergence of profound theological truths—Divine Lordship, human servitude, covenant fidelity, repentance, and absolute reliance on Allah’s mercy—into a single, succinct prayer. The Prophet ﷺ declares that whoever recites this with sincerity during the day or night and dies within that period will enter Paradise, if Allah wills, highlighting the immense spiritual weight of acknowledging one’s utter dependence on Allah while affirming His sole power to forgive.

Context & Linguistic Insights

The supplication opens with *"Allahumma Anta Rabbi la ilaha illa Anta"*—a direct address affirming Allah’s exclusive divinity and His role as Creator and Sustainer (*Rabb*). The phrase *"khalaqtani wa ana 'abduka"* establishes the foundational relationship of creature to Creator, while *"wa ana 'ala 'ahdika wa wa'dika mastata'tu"* refers to the primordial covenant (*mithaq*) taken from humanity (Qur’an 7:172) and the believer’s earnest effort to uphold it. Linguistically, *"abu'u bi ni'matika"* (I acknowledge Your blessing) uses the verb *bā'a*, implying full acceptance and gratitude, while *"abu'u bi dhanbi"* (I acknowledge my sin) conveys unreserved confession without excuse. The concluding clause *"fa innahu la yaghfirudh-dhunuba illa Anta"* reinforces Allah’s exclusive prerogative to forgive, echoing Qur’anic affirmations of His mercy. Scholars note the hadith’s chain is sound (*hasan*), and its wording aligns with authentic versions in Sahih al-Bukhari, underscoring its reliability and prophetic precision.

Key Scholarly Insights & Legal Benefits

  • Theological Foundation: The supplication encapsulates *Tawhid al-Rububiyyah* (Lordship) and *Tawhid al-Uluhiyyah* (Worship), affirming that Allah alone is Creator and the sole object of devotion, which is the essence of Islamic monotheism.
  • Jurisprudential Ruling: Scholars unanimously recommend this supplication as a daily *dhikr* (remembrance) for morning and evening, citing its virtue in securing forgiveness and Paradise, though it is not obligatory but highly meritorious (*mustahabb*).
  • Ethical Principle: The prayer teaches balanced self-awareness—acknowledging both divine blessings and personal shortcomings—fostering humility, gratitude, and repentance, which are foundational to moral character in Islam.
"This is the most superior form of seeking forgiveness, for it combines the affirmation of Allah’s oneness, the confession of sin, and the recognition of His favors. Whoever utters it with a truthful heart has indeed fulfilled the essence of servitude." — Imam Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani, *Fath al-Bari*

Daily Life & Spiritual Application

In daily life, this supplication serves as a spiritual anchor, reminding the believer of their intrinsic dependence on Allah amidst worldly distractions. Reciting it upon waking and before sleep instills a mindset of accountability and gratitude, transforming routine moments into acts of worship. Practically, one should meditate on each phrase—internalizing that Allah is the Creator, that His covenant demands sincere effort, and that forgiveness is solely His to grant. This fosters resilience against sin, as the acknowledgment of Allah’s blessings curbs ingratitude, while confession of faults prevents arrogance. By integrating this *dhikr* into daily rituals, a Muslim cultivates *Ihsan*—worshipping Allah as if seeing Him—and secures a shield of divine mercy that, by Allah’s will, leads to Paradise.