Qur-anic supplications for parents, living and deceased, with their sources.
The Qur-an gives believers specific words for praying for their parents. These can be said for parents who are alive and for those who have passed away. For deceased parents in particular, a child’s sincere dua is among the most valuable things that still reach them.
Key points
- The Qur-an preserves specific wording for praying for parents (17:24, 14:41, 71:28).
- These duas can be said for living parents and for deceased parents.
- A righteous child's dua is one of three things that continue to benefit a person after death.
- Praying for parents does not replace treating them well in life (birr al-walidayn).
Practical steps
- Include "Rabbi rhamhuma kama rabbayani saghira" in your daily dua.
- For deceased parents, add "Rabbana-ghfir li wa li-walidayya..." after prayers.
- Pair the dua with ongoing good on their behalf - charity, teaching, keeping their good ties.
Qur’an
...Rabbi rhamhuma kama rabbayani saghira.
“And lower to them the wing of humility out of mercy and say, "My Lord, have mercy upon them as they brought me up [when I was] small."”
Surah Al-Isra — 17:24
When to read: Recited for living or deceased parents. The verse commands gentleness and humility toward parents, then gives these words as the dua for them.
Rabbana-ghfir li wa li-walidayya wa li-l-mu'minina yawma yaqumu l-hisab.
“Our Lord, forgive me and my parents and the believers the Day the account is established."”
Surah Ibrahim — 14:41 (the dua of Ibrahim)
When to read: Ibrahim asks forgiveness for himself, his parents and all the believers. Suitable at the end of any dua.
Rabbi-ghfir li wa li-walidayya wa li-man dakhala baytiya mu'minan wa li-l-mu'minina wa l-mu'minat.
“My Lord, forgive me and my parents and whoever enters my house a believer and the believing men and believing women. And do not increase the wrongdoers except in destruction."”
Surah Nuh — 71:28 (the dua of Nuh)
When to read: A wider version - forgiveness for oneself, one's parents, one's household and all believing men and women.
Rabbi awzi'ni an ashkura ni'mataka llati an'amta 'alayya wa 'ala walidayya, wa an a'mala salihan tardah, wa aslih li fi dhurriyyati. Inni tubtu ilayka wa inni mina l-muslimin.
“And We have enjoined upon man, to his parents, good treatment. His mother carried him with hardship and gave birth to him with hardship, and his gestation and weaning [period] is thirty months. [He grows] until, when he reaches maturity and reaches [the age of] forty years, he says, "My Lord, enable me to be grateful for Your favor which You have bestowed upon me and upon my parents and to work righteousness of which You will approve and make righteous for me my offspring. Indeed, I have repented to You, and indeed, I am of the Muslims."”
Surah Al-Ahqaf — 46:15
When to read: The dua of a person reaching maturity: gratitude for Allah's favour on themselves and their parents, and righteousness passed on to their own children.
Hadith
Idha mata l-insanu-nqata'a 'anhu 'amaluhu illa min thalathah: illa min sadaqatin jariyah, aw 'ilmin yuntafa'u bih, aw waladin salihin yad'u lah.
When a person dies, their deeds come to an end except for three: an ongoing charity, knowledge that is benefited from, or a righteous child who supplicates for them.
Sahih Muslim, no. 1631 .
When to read: This is why continuing to make dua for parents after their death matters: it is one of the few things that still reaches them.
Hadith text and grading above are shown as supplied by their source. HikmahBridge does not grade Hadith itself. See Sources & Methodology.
FAQ
Can I ask forgiveness for a parent who died outside Islam?
This is a serious question that scholars answer from the texts. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said he sought permission to ask forgiveness for his mother and was not granted it, but was permitted to visit her grave (Sahih Muslim 976), and the Qur-an (9:113) restricts seeking forgiveness for those who died rejecting faith. For living non-Muslim parents, praying for their guidance and treating them well is encouraged. Ask a qualified scholar about your specific situation.
Is there a set time for these duas?
No. After the five prayers, in sujood, and in the last third of the night are all encouraged times, but any time is valid.
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