❖ Question:
The newer edition of Ṣalāh al-Nabiyy ﷺ lists the duʿā’ "رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي" between two sajdahs, while the older Namāz-e-Nabvī included a longer supplication. What is the Sharʿī status of this longer duʿā’?
Answer:
الحمد لله، والصلاة والسلام علىٰ رسول الله، أما بعد!
1. The Longer Duʿā’ in Question
The duʿā’ is:
"اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي وَارْحَمْنِي وَاهْدِنِي وَعَافِنِي وَارْزُقْنِي"
O Allah! Forgive me, have mercy on me, guide me, grant me wellbeing, and provide for me.
2. Chain of Narration and Analysis
◈ This duʿā’ is reported via Ḥabīb ibn Abī Thābit, a known mudallis (someone who omits his immediate source).
◈ Due to his tadlīs and lack of explicit ʿanʿanah (directness), this narration is considered weak on its own.
3. Supporting Evidence from Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim
However, a ṣaḥīḥ narration in:
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Kitāb al-Dhikr wa al-Duʿā’, Ḥadīth 2697The Prophet ﷺ taught a new Muslim this exact duʿā’ and instructed him to use it in prayer:
"اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي، وَارْحَمْنِي، وَاهْدِنِي، وَعَافِنِي، وَارْزُقْنِي"
✦ Although the narration does not explicitly refer to the position between the two sajdahs, the general inclusion of this duʿā’ in the framework of salah gives it legitimate application there.
4. Grading of the Narration
◈ Due to corroborative support (شَاهِد) from Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, the weak narration becomes ḥasan (acceptable).
◈ Thus, the duʿā’ becomes practically valid and permissible in the context of prayer, including between two sajdahs.
5. Comparison with the Shorter Duʿā’
The most authentic duʿā’ for the position between the two sajdahs remains:
"رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي، رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي"
Sunan Abī Dāwūd, Ḥadīth 874 — Chain: ṢaḥīḥConclusion:
✔ The longer duʿā’:
اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي وَارْحَمْنِي وَاهْدِنِي وَعَافِنِي وَارْزُقْنِي
is Sharʿīly sound and permissible, due to supporting evidence in Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim.
✔ However, the shorter duʿā’:
"رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي"
remains the most strongly authentic and is preferable for consistency.
ھٰذَا مَا عِندِي، وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَاب
