Dua for the Day of Ashura

Explanation
This is the well-known dua recited on the Day of Ashura, the tenth day of Muharram; it is a reckoning of the past year, a plea for forgiveness of sins (istighfar) and a request that good deeds be accepted. Ashura means living a life full of light.
Dua Text
اَللّٰهُمَّ مَا عَمِلْتُ مِنْ عَمَلٍ فِي هٰذِهِ السَّنَةِ مِمَّا نَهَيْتَنِي عَنْهُ وَلَمْ تَرْضَهُ وَلَمْ تَنْهَهُ، وَحَلُمْتَ عَنِّي وَعَفَوْتَ بَعْدَ قُدْرَتِكَ عَلٰى عُقُوبَتِي وَدَعَوْتَنِي إِلَى التَّوْبَةِ بَعْدَ جُرْأَتِي عَلٰى مَعْصِيَتِكَ، اَللّٰهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَغْفِرُكَ مِنْهُ فَاغْفِرْهُ لِي، وَمَا عَمِلْتُ فِيهَا مِمَّا تَرْضَاهُ وَوَعَدْتَنِي عَلَيْهِ الثَّوَابَ فَتَقَبَّلْهُ مِنِّي، وَلَا تَقْطَعْ رَجَائِي مِنْكَ يَا كَرِيمُ
Transliteration
Allahumma ma ‘amiltu min ‘amalin fi hadhihis-sanati mimma nahaytani ‘anhu wa lam tardahu wa lam tanhahu, wa halumta ‘anni wa ‘afawta ba’da qudratika ‘ala ‘uqubati wa da’awtani ilat-tawbati ba’da jur’ati ‘ala ma’siyatik. Allahumma inni astaghfiruka minhu faghfirhu li, wa ma ‘amiltu fiha mimma tardahu wa wa’adtani ‘alayhith-thawaba fataqabbalhu minni, wa la taqta’ raja’i minka ya Karim.
Meaning
O Allah, if during this year I have done things You warned me against and things You did not warn me against, things You were not pleased with and did not like, then pardon me. You were forbearing with me and pardoned me although You had the power to punish me, and You called me to repentance after I had dared to disobey You. O Allah, I seek Your forgiveness; I ask You to forgive me. Forgive me; and if I have done deeds that please You, for which You promised me reward, accept them from me. Do not cut off my hope in You, O Allah.
What Is Asked in This Dua
The dua asks for forgiveness of forbidden and disliked deeds committed during the past year, for the acceptance of deeds that please Allah, and that one’s hope in Allah never be cut off.
When and How to Recite
It is recited on the Day of Ashura (10 Muharram); fasting on that day and reciting Surah al-Ikhlas are also recommended.
Virtue
In a hadith, our Prophet ﷺ says: “Whoever fasts one day on the Day of Ashura will inherit the highest Paradise of Firdaws.” He also says: “Whoever recites Surah al-Ikhlas a thousand times on the Day of Ashura, Allah Almighty looks upon that person with mercy”; and He records them among the truthful (siddiqin).
Frequently Asked Questions
Which dua is recited on the Day of Ashura?
The Ashura dua beginning with “Allahumma ma ‘amiltu min ‘amalin fi hadhihis-sanati…” is recited.
What is the virtue of fasting on the Day of Ashura?
A hadith states that whoever fasts on the Day of Ashura will inherit the highest Paradise of Firdaws.
What does Ashura mean?
The source book states that Ashura means living a life full of light; it is the tenth day of Muharram.
Source
Majmu'at al-Ahzab, vol. 1, p. 600. Nuzhat al-Majalis, vol. 1, p. 142.
The text on this page was prepared by Dua Kitaplığı based on the work cited above. The Arabic text has been transcribed from the original with its vowel marks, and the transliteration in Latin letters and the English meaning are given separately. No virtue or number that does not appear in the source is added to this page. How do we prepare our content?
Published: 29 September 2026 · Last updated: 9 October 2026
Related Duas
All Duas for Holy Days and NightsDua for the Acceptance of Worship
This is a short dua recited after worship to ask that one’s devotion and repentance…
Dua for the Forgiveness of the Ummah of Muhammad ﷺ
This is a long dua recited for the forgiveness and protection of the entire ummah…
Dua for Victory over the Enemy
This dua, recited to prevail over the enemy, is compiled from verses of victory and…
Dua for the Days of Eid al-Adha
This is the dhikr of tawhid (declaring Allah’s oneness) recited during the days of Eid…
Dua for Tawakkul (Trust in Allah)
This short dua teaches that tawakkul itself must also be asked of Allah. The servant…
Dua for Protection from Foul Speech and Lying
This is a short dua recited so that the tongue is protected from foul words,…

