Dua e Masura: Arabic, English, Urdu & Hindi with Meaning
Dua e Masura is a short and beautiful prayer for forgiveness that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught to Abu Bakr Siddiq (RA) to recite in his Salah. Read it below in Arabic with transliteration, then learn its meaning, reference, benefits and the exact place to recite it.
Dua e Masura in Arabic
Abu Bakr Siddiq (RA) asked the Messenger of Allah ﷺ to teach him a dua to make in his prayer. The Prophet ﷺ told him to say:
Transliteration
Allahumma inni zalamtu nafsi zulman kathiran, wa la yaghfiruz zunuba illa anta, faghfir li maghfiratan min indika, warhamni, innaka antal Ghafurur Rahim.
Reference: Sahih Bukhari 834 and Sahih Muslim 2705.
Dua e Masura in English
This is a direct translation of the words. Notice how the dua starts with honesty, admits that we wrong ourselves, then turns to the only One who can forgive.
Dua e Masura in Urdu
Dua e Masura in Hindi
Meaning and Explanation of Dua e Masura
Each part of this dua teaches something about how a believer should turn to Allah.
1. Admitting our faults
The dua begins with the words that we have wronged ourselves a great deal. Every sin harms the soul first, so this is an honest and humble start. It teaches us not to excuse our mistakes but to name them before Allah.
2. Knowing who forgives
The next phrase reminds us that only Allah forgives sins. We do not need a middleman. Every servant can speak to Allah directly, at any hour, in any language of the heart.
3. Asking for forgiveness from Allah’s own bounty
The words “a forgiveness from You” show that we ask Allah to forgive us out of His generosity, not because we deserve it. That is why the dua is humble and hopeful at the same time.
4. Asking for mercy
Forgiveness removes the sin, and mercy brings care, guidance and protection afterwards. The dua asks for both, and it ends by naming Allah as Al Ghafur and Ar Rahim, the Forgiving and the Merciful.
Why Is It Called Dua e Masura?
The word Masura comes from the Arabic root meaning to narrate or transmit. A dua masura is therefore a supplication reported from the Prophet ﷺ himself. This name tells us that the words are not a later invention, but a prayer taught by the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and passed down through trusted narrators.
Where to Recite Dua e Masura in Namaz
Dua e Masura belongs in the final sitting of the prayer. Here is the order, as practised in most mosques:
- Tashahhud: recite At Tahiyyat.
- Durood Ibrahim: send blessings on the Prophet ﷺ and his family.
- This dua: recite the dua above, quietly.
- Salam: turn your head to the right and then to the left.
This applies to prayers with a final sitting, such as Fajr, Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, Isha, Witr and voluntary prayers. If you are still learning the steps of prayer, read our complete Salah guide and check local timings on our prayer times page.
Benefits of Dua e Masura
- Daily forgiveness: you ask for forgiveness at the end of every prayer, up to five times a day or more.
- Humility: it keeps the heart soft by reminding you of your need for Allah.
- Hope: it ends with two of Allah’s beautiful names that point to mercy, which protects us from despair. Allah says in the Quran: Do not despair of the mercy of Allah (39:53).
- Connection with the Sunnah: you recite words that were taught by the Prophet ﷺ himself.
- Peace of heart: sincere istighfar brings calm and a feeling of a fresh start.
When to Read Dua e Masura
The main time is the final sitting of Salah, before the Salam. Because it is a dua of forgiveness, you can also recite it at other times, especially at night, after prayer, and in moments of regret.
It is also a lovely dua for the blessed month. In Ramadan, when you fast, pray Taraweeh and seek Laylatul Qadr, repeating this dua adds sincerity to your worship. Learn more in our guide to Ramadan and our fasting guide.
Tips to Memorise Dua e Masura
- Break it into four short lines and learn one line a day.
- Read the Arabic with the transliteration first, then try without it.
- Recite it after every prayer for a week until it stays in your memory.
- Understand the meaning so that you speak from the heart, not just from the tongue.
- Ask a teacher to listen to your pronunciation, especially the letters ظ and غ.
Dua e Masura FAQs
What is Dua e Masura?
Dua e Masura is the supplication of forgiveness and mercy that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught Abu Bakr Siddiq (RA) to say in his prayer. It is reported in Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim.
When is Dua e Masura recited in Salah?
It is recited in the final sitting of the prayer, after Tashahhud and Durood Ibrahim and before the Salam.
Is Dua e Masura Fard?
No. It is not an obligatory part of the prayer. It is a recommended supplication, and Muslims are encouraged to make dua before the Salam.
Can I recite Dua e Masura outside prayer?
Yes. It is a dua of istighfar, so you can recite it at any time, such as after prayer, at night, or whenever you want to seek forgiveness.
What does Masura mean?
Masura comes from the Arabic word for narrated or transmitted. It describes a dua that has been reported from the Prophet ﷺ in authentic hadith.
Can I read Dua e Masura in English or Urdu during prayer?
The dua should be recited in Arabic in prayer. Use the English, Urdu and Hindi meanings to understand it, and keep practising the Arabic until you know it by heart.
Is Dua e Masura the same in every school of thought?
The words of the dua are the same. Scholars differ on details of what else may be read before the Salam, so follow the guidance of your trusted local scholar.
Final Words
This dua is short, but it carries the heart of repentance: honesty, hope and trust in Allah’s mercy. Make it part of every prayer, and share this page with family and friends so that they can learn it too. For more reflections, explore our Ramadan quotes.
This article is for education and is based on the hadith in Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim. For detailed rulings, please ask a qualified scholar.
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