اَللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي
Allāhumma innaka ‘afuwwun tuhibbul-‘afwa fa‘fu ‘annī
O Allah! You are Most Forgiving, You love forgiveness, so forgive me.
significance
Laylatul Qadr, the Night of Decree, is better than a thousand months. It is the night the Quran was revealed. The Prophet (peace be upon him) taught this concise dua to Aisha when she asked what to supplicate on this night.
“Whoever stays up (in worship) on Laylatul Qadr with faith and hope, their past sins are forgiven.” — Bukhari & Muslim
why this dua?
The word ‘afuww (Pardoner) is an intensive form – Allah not only forgives but erases sins completely. By loving forgiveness, He invites us to seek it. This dua encapsulates tawhid, hope, and reliance.
Repeat it abundantly in the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan. The best dhikr is that which comes from the sunnah.
Q&A teacher & parent conversation
👤 Parent: “My child is young, can they still recite this dua in Arabic?”
Teacher (Ustadh): Absolutely. The beauty of this dua is its simplicity. Even a child can memorize it. We encourage students to learn the Arabic, transliteration, and meaning. Laylatul Qadr is a family night – let them whisper this dua with you.
👤 Parent: “We have only one night? How to be sure we catch it?”
Teacher: The exact night is unknown, but it is most likely among the last ten odd nights — 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th, 29th. The Prophet ﷺ said, “Seek it in the last ten.” So we increase worship and this specific dua every night, especially the odd ones. That way we never miss it.
👤 Parent: “Is there a specific time for this dua?”
Teacher: Anytime during the night, but particularly in the last third, during sujood (prostration), and after tahajjud prayer. The heart is softest then. Aisha reported she asked the Prophet what to say, and he taught her this supplication — so it is the sunnah supplication for this night.
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