(Recite once)

Hazrat Shaddad bin Aus (radhiallaho anho) reports that Rasulullah (sallellaho alaihe wasallam) said: “Sayyidul Istighfaar (i.e. The Greatest Istighfaar) is to beseech Allah Ta'ala in the following manner:

??????????? ?????? ??????? ?? ?????? ?????? ?????? ???????????? ???????? ???????? ???????? ????? ???????? ?????????? ??? ??????????? ???????????? ???? ????? ??? ???????? ???????????? ???????????? ??????? ?????????? ??????????? ??? ?????????? ???????? ??? ???????? ??????????? ?????? ??????

O Allah! You alone are my Rabb ( Lord). There is none worthy of worship besides You. You indeed have created me and I am only Your slave. I am steadfast upon Your covenant and promise to the extent I can. I seek refuge in You from the sins I have committed. I acknowledge Your favors upon me and I confess to my sins. Forgive me for verily none forgives sins except You.”

(Bukhari Shareef, vol. 2 pg.932-933)

NOTE: In a narration of Bukhari Shareef and Nasai Shareef, it is reported from Hazrat Shaddad bin Aur (radhiallaho anho) that Rasulullah (sallellaho alaihe wasallam) said: “The one who recites this dua in the morning and passes away before the evening, he will pass away as a Shaheed (martyr). Likewise, the one who recites this in the evening and passes away before the morning, he too will pass away as a Shaheed.

Commentary:Apparently, the secret in there being such a great virtue for this Istighfaar is that every word is filled with the spirit of servitude and slavery.