Dua Iftitah

allahumma inni aftatihu alththana’a bihamdika

O Allah, I begin the glorification of You with praising You

wa anta musaddidun lillssawabi bimannika

and You always guide us to the right out of Your favors upon us.

wa ayqantu annaka anta arhamu alrrahimina

I am certain that You are the most Merciful of all those who show mercy

fi mawdi`i al`afwi wallrrahmati

in situations of pardon and mercy,

wa ashaddu almu`aqibina

the harshest in punishments

fi mawdi`i alnnakali walnnaqimati

in situations of giving exemplary punishment and chastisement (to the wrongdoers),

wa a`zamu almutajabbirina

and the greatest Omnipotent

fi mawdi`i alkibriya’i wal`azamati

in the domain of absolute power and might.

allahumma adhinta li fi du`a’ika wa mas’alatika

O Allah, You have permitted me to pray and beseech You.

fasma` ya sami`u midhati

So, listen, O All-hearer, to my words of praise,

wa ajib ya rahimu da`wati

reply my prayer, O All-merciful,

wa aqil ya ghafuru `athrati

and overlook my slips, O Oft-Forgiving.

fakam ya ilahi min kurbatin qad farrajtaha

You, O my God, have relieved so many of my grievances,

wa humumin qad kashaftaha

dispelled so many of my sorrows,

wa `athratin qad aqaltaha

overlooked so many of my slips,

wa rahmatin qad nashartaha

spread over me many of Your mercies,

wa halaqati bala’in qad fakaktaha

and unlocked so many rings of misfortunes (in which I was detained).

alhamdu lillahi alladhi lam yattakhidh sahibatan wa la waladan

All praise be to Allah Who has not betaken wife or son,

wa lam yakun lahu sharikun fi almulki

Who has no partner in the sovereignty

wa lam yakun lahu waliyyun min aldhdhulli

nor does He have any protecting friend through dependence.

wa kabbirhu takbiran

And Magnify Him with all magnificence.

alhamdu lillahi bijami`i mahamidihi kulliha

All praise be to Allah with full gratitude

`ala jami`i ni`amihi kulliha

for all His bounties.

alhamdu lillahi alladhi la mudadda lahu fi mulkihi

All praise be to Allah Who has no opposition in His rule

wa la munazi`a lahu fi amrihi

nor there is any challenge to His commands.

alhamdu lillahi alladhi la sharika lahu fi khalqihi

All praise be to Allah Who has no counsel to meddle with His operation of creation

wa la shabiha lahu fi `azamatihi

nor there is anything similar to Him in His greatness.

alhamdu lillahi alfashi fi alkhalqi amruhu wa hamduhu

All praise be to Allah Whose commandments and praise are active in the creation,

alzzahiri bilkarami majduhu

His glory is evident through His kindness,

albasiti biljudi yadahu

His distinct overflowing generosity is freely available,

alladhi la tanqusu khaza’inuhu

His unlimited bestowals do not exhaust,

wa la taziduhu kathratu al`ata’i illa judan wa karaman

and Whose opulent bestowals increase Him nothing but magnanimity and generosity.

innahu huwa al`azizu alwahhabu

Verily He is Mighty, Abundantly Giver.

allahumma inni as’aluka qalilan min kathirin

O Allah, I beseech You for little from the much,

ma`a hajatin bi ilayhi `azimatun

along with my great need for it

wa ghinaka `anhu qadimun

and Your needlessness for it is since eternity.

wa huwa `indi kathirun

For me, it is so big

wa huwa `alayka sahlun yasirun

but for You, it is effortless and easy.

allahumma inna `afwaka `an dhanbi

O Allah, as You pardon my sins,

wa tajawuzaka `an khati’ati

overlook my mistakes,

wa safhaka `an zulmi

take a lenient view of my disorderly conduct,

wa sitraka `ala qabihi `amali

cover up my hideous actions,

wa hilmaka `an kathiri jurmi

and treat my numerous offenses with forbearance,

`inda ma kana min khata’i wa `amdi

which I have committed mistakenly and willfully—

atma`ani fi an as’alaka ma la astawjibuhu minka

all that tempted me to ask for that which I do not deserve from You,

alladhi razaqtani min rahmatika

that is You may grant me part of Your mercy,

wa araytani min qudratika

show me part of Your all-powerfulness,

wa `arraftani min ijabatika

and show me signals of Your response to me.

fasirtun ad`uka aminan

So, I am now supplicating You with security

wa as’aluka musta’nisan

and beseeching You with entertainment

la kha’ifan wa la wajilan

neither afraid nor fearful,

mudillan `alayka fi ma qasadtu fihi ilayka

insisting on You in that which I face to You.

fa’in abta’a `anni `atabtu bijahli `alayka

But when Your response delayed, I, out of my ignorance, would blame You

wa la`alla alladhi abta’a `anni huwa khayrun li

although perhaps slowing down may be a blessing in disguise,

li`ilmika bi`aqibati al-umuri

because You alone know the consequences of all matters.

falam ara mawlan kariman

So, I have never seen such a noble Master

asbara `ala `abdin la’imin minka `alayya

more accommodating to such a dissatisfied servant than You are to me.

ya rabbi innaka tad`uni fa’uwalliya `anka

O Lord! You give an invitation but I turn down,

wa tatahabbabu ilayya fa’atabaghghadu ilayka

You become familiar with me but I do not care for You,

wa tatawaddadu ilayya fala aqbalu minka

and You show affection to me but I do not correspond to You,

ka’anna liya alttatawwula `alayka

as if You are overreaching me!

falam yamna`ka dhalika min alrrahmati li

Yet, all that have not stopped You from having mercy upon me,

wal-ihsani ilayya

doing favors to me,

walttafadduli `alayya bijudika wa karamika

and blessing me out of Your magnanimity and generosity.

farham `abdaka aljahila

So, (please) have mercy on Your ignorant servant

wajud `alayhi bifadli ihsanika

and bestow upon him with the favors of Your beneficence.

innaka jawadun karimun

Verily, You are All-magnanimous and All-generous.

alhamdu lillahi maliki almulki

All praise be to Allah: the Lord of the sovereignty,

mujri alfulki

Who allows arks to flow [on seas],

musakhkhiri alrriyahi

Who controls the winds,

faliqi al-isbahi

Who causes the day to break,

dayyani alddini

Who administers the authority,

rabbi al`alamina

and Who is the Lord of the worlds.

alhamdu lillahi `ala hilmihi ba`da `ilmihi

All praise be to Allah for His indulgence although He has full acquaintance with all things.

walhamdu lillahi `ala `afwihi ba`da qudratihi

All praise be to Allah for His amnesty although He has full power over all things.

walhamdu lillahi `ala tuli anatihi fi ghadabihi

All praise be to Allah for the respite that He allows in spite of provocation.

wa huwa qadirn `ala ma yuridu

He is able to do whatever He wills.

alhamdu lillahi khaliqi alkhalqi

All praise be to Allah, the Creator of all created beings,

basiti alrrizqi

Who makes sustenance freely available,

faliqi al-isbahi

Who starts the day,

dhi aljalali wal-ikrami

Who is the Owner of glory, might,

walfadli wal-in`ami

favors and bounties;

alladhi ba`uda fala yura

and Who is so far away that none can ever see Him

wa qaruba fashahida alnnajwa

and, in the same time, He is so nigh that He is fully aware of even the whispering secrets.

tabaraka wa ta`ala

Blessed and Exalted be He.

alhamdu lillahi alladhi laysa lahu munazi`un yu`adiluhu

All praise be to Allah Who has no equal to challenge Him,

wa la shabihun yushakiluhu

nor is there an image comparable to Him,

wa la zahirun yu`adiduhu

nor is there a helper to assist Him.

qahara bi`izzatihi al-a`izza’a

He tames the powerful by His force,

wa tawada`a li`azamatihi al`uzama’u

and disgraced are the great ones before His Greatness.

fabalagha biqudratihi ma yasha’u

So, He, through His power, fulfills that which He wills.

alhamdu lillahi alladhi yujibuni hina unadihi

All praise be to Allah Who gives answer to me whenever I call Him,

wa yasturu `alayya kulla `awratin wa ana a`sihi

covers up my shortcomings, yet I disobey Him,

wa yu`azzimu alnni`mata `alayya fala ujazihi

and gives me the largest part of bounties, yet I do not show him gratitude.

fakam min mawhibatin hani’atin qad a`tani

Many an auspicious favor had He given me,

wa `azimatin makhufatin qad kafani

many a terrible danger had He turned off,

wa bahjatin muniqatin qad arani

and many a blossoming joy had He made available for me.

fa uthni `alayhi hamidan

Therefore, I praise Him with thankfulness

wa adhkuruhu musabbihan

and mention Him with exaltation.

alhamdu lillahi alladhi la yuhtaku hijabuhu

All praise be to Allah Whose screen cannot be penetrated,

wa la yughlaqu babuhu

Whose door is not blocked,

wa la yuraddu sa’iluhu

Whose beseecher is not rejected,

wa la yukhayyabu amiluhu

and one who hopes Him is not disappointed.

alhamdu lillahi alladhi yu’minu alkha’ifina

All praise be to Allah Who secures the frightened ones,

wa yunajji alssalihina

comes to the help of the upright ones,

wa yarfa`u almustad`afina

promotes the cause of the weak ones,

wa yada`u almustakbirina

annihilates the autocrats,

wa yuhliku mulukan wa yastakhlifu akharina

destroys rulers, and appoints others instead.

walhamdu lillahi qasimi aljabbarina

All praise be to Allah; the Eradicator of the tyrants,

mubiri alzzalimina

the Terminator of the unjust ones,

mudriki alharibina

the Catcher of the fugitives,

nakali alzzalimina

the Punisher of the unjust ones,

sarikhi almustasrikhina

the Aide of the aid-seekers,

mawdi`i hajati alttalibina

the Settler of the needs of the beseechers,

mu`tamadi almu’minina

and the support of the faithful believers.

alhamdu lillahi alladhi min khashyatihi tar`udu alssama’u wa sukkanuha

All praise be to Allah! In His awe-inspiring fear the heavens and its dwellers tremble and shiver,

wa tarjufu al-ardu wa `ummaruha

the earth and its inhabitants shake and quiver,

wa tamuju albiharu wa man yasbahu fi ghamaratiha

and the oceans and all that which float and swim in their waters flow together in excitement and tumult.

alhamdu lillahi alladhi hadana lihadha

All praise be to Allah Who has guided us to this.

wa ma kunna linahtadiya lawla an hadana allahu

We could not truly have been led aright if Allah had not guided us.

alhamdu lillahi alladhi yakhluqu wa lam yukhlaq

All praise be to Allah Who creates but He is not created,

wa yarzuqu wa la yurzaqu

gives subsistence but He needs no provisions,

wa yut`imu wa la yut`amu

feeds but He takes no nourishment,

wa yumitu al-ahya’a

causes the living to die,

wa yuhyi almawta

and brings the dead to life,

wa huwa hayyun la yamutu

but He is the Ever-living Who never dies.

biyadihi alkhayru

In His hands is all the good

wa huwa `ala kulli shay`in qadirun

and He is able to do all things.

allahumma salli `ala muhammadin `abdika wa rasulika

O Allah, (please do) send blessings to Muhammad; Your servant, Messenger,

wa aminika wa safiyyika wa habibika

confidant, friend, beloved intimate,

wa khiyaratika min khalqika

the choicest of Your created beings,

wa hafizi sirrika

the bearer of Your sacraments,

wa muballighi risalatika

and the conveyor of Your messages,

afdala wa ahsana wa ajmala

with the most superior, the most exquisite, the most handsomer,

wa akmala wa azka wa anma

the most perfect, the most upright, the most prospering,

wa atyaba wa athara wa asna

the most pleasant, the most thoroughly purified, the most sublime,

wa akthara ma sallayta wa barakta

the most and the best blessings, advantages,

wa tarahhamta wa tahannanta

mercies, affections,

wa sallamta `ala ahadin min `ibadika wa anbiya’ika

and salutations that You have ever bestowed upon anyone of Your servants, Prophets,

wa rusulika wa safwatika

Messengers, choicest people,

wa ahli alkaramati `alayka min khalqika

and those honored by You from among Your created beings.

allahumma wa salli `ala `aliyyin amiri almu’minina

O Allah, (please do) send blessings to `Ali; the Commander of the Believers,

wa wasiyyi rasuli rabbi al`alamina

the successor of the Messenger of the Lord of the worlds,

`abdika wa waliyyika wa akhi rasulika

Your servant, Your beloved representative, the brother of Your Messenger,

wa hujjatika `ala khalqika

Your decisive argument over the mankind,

wa ayatika alkubra

Your most important sign,

walnnaba’i al`azimi

and the great news (from You).

wa salli `ala alssiddiqati alttahirati

(Please do) send blessings to the truthful and pure Lady,

fatimata sayyidati nisa’i al`alamina

Fatimah; the Doyenne of the women of the world.

wa salli `ala sibtay alrrahmati

(Please do) send blessings to the sons of ‘the mercy to the worlds’

wa imamay alhuda

and the two leaders of true guidance;

alhasani walhusayni

al-Hasan and al-Husayn,

sayyiday shababi ahli aljannati

the two Chiefs of the dwellers of Paradise.

wa salli `ala a’immati almuslimina

(Please do) send blessings to the leaders of the Muslims;

`aliyyi ibni alhusayni

`Ali bin al-Husayn,

wa muhammadi ibni `aliyyin

Muhammad bin `Ali,

wa ja`fari ibni muhammadin

Ja`far bin Muhammad,

wa musa ibni ja`farin

Musa bin Ja`far,

wa `aliyyi ibni musa

`Ali bin Musa,

wa muhammadi ibni `aliyyin

Muhammad bin `Ali,

wa `aliyyi ibni muhammadin

`Ali bin Muhammad,

walhasani ibni `aliyyin

al-Hasan bin `Ali,

walkhalafi alhadi almahdiyyi

and the successor, the guide, and the rightly guided:

hujajika `ala `ibadika

(Those Imams are) Your decisive arguments over Your servants

wa umana’ika fi biladika

and Your trustworthy confidants in Your lands

salatan kathiratan da’imatan

with blessings that are numerous and non-stop.

allahumma wa salli `ala waliyyi amrika

O Allah, (please do) send blessings to the custodian of Your commandments,

alqa’imi almu’ammali

the vigilant guardian, the reliable patron,

wal`adli almuntazari

and the awaited establisher of justice.

wa huffahu bimala’ikatika almuqarrabina

And (please) surround him with Your favorite angels

wa ayyid-hu biruhi alqudusi

and assist him with the Holy Spirit.

ya rabba al`alamina

O Lord of the worlds!

allahumma ij`alhu aldda`iya ila kitabika

O Allah, (please) choose him to be the caller to Your Book

walqa’ima bidinika

and the establisher of Your religion;

istakhlifhu fil-ardi

make him succeed in the earth

kama istakhlafta alladhina min qablihi

as You caused those who were before him to succeed,

makkin lahu dinahu alladhi irtadaytahu lahu

establish for him his faith which You have approved for him,

abdilhu min ba`di khawfihi amnan

and give him in exchange safety after the fear.

ya`buduka ya yushriku bika shay’an

He serves You. He ascribes nothing as partner to You.

allahumma a`izzahu wa a`ziz bihi

O Allah, (please) grant him power, make him the source of power,

wansurhu wantasir bihi

grant him support, make him the means of Your victory,

wansurhu nasran `azizan

help him with a mighty help,

waftah lahu fathan yasiran

make him prevail over all with easiness,

waj`al lahu min ladunka sultanan nasiran

and delegate him Your controlling authority.

allahumma azhir bihi dinaka wa sunnata nabiyyika

O Allah, (please) make prevalent Your religion and the norms of Your Prophet through him

hatta la yastakhfiya bishay’in min alhaqqi

so that he will not have to hide any item of truth

makhafata ahadin min alkhalqi

for fear of any of the creatures.

allahumma inna narghabu ilayka fi dawlatin karimatin

O Allah, we ardently desire that You confer upon us a respectful government

tu`izzu biha al-islama wa ahlahu

through which You may give might to Islam and its followers,

wa tudhillu biha alnnifaqa wa ahlahu

humiliate hypocrisy and its people,

wa taj`aluna fiha min alddu`ati ila ta`atika

and include us among those who invite people to the obedience to You and

walqadati ila sabilika

and lead them to Your approved path.

wa tarzuquna biha karamata alddunya wal-akhirati

Give us the good of this world and the world to come.

allahumma ma `arraftana min alhaqqi fahammilnahu

O Allah, let us bear out that which You make known to us as the truth

wa ma qasurna `anhu faballighnahu

and let us attain that which we fall short to do.

allahumma ilmum bihi sha`athana

O Allah, through him, set in order our disorder,

wash`ib bihi sad`ana

gather and unite our flock,

wartuq bihi fatqana

stitch together our ripped open separation,

wa kaththir bihi qillatana

increase our few numbers,

wa a`ziz bihi dhillatana

lift us up from our degradation,

wa aghni bihi `a’ilana

grant wealth to the needy among us,

waqdi bihi `an mughramina

pull us out from our debts,

wajbur bihi faqrana

set up our poverty,

wa sudda bihi khallatana

fill the gap of confusion among us,

wa yassir bihi `usrana

make easy all difficulties we may face,

wa bayyid bihi wujuhana

refine our substance and style,

wa fukka bihi asrana

release us from captivity,

wa anjih bihi talibatana

make successful our applications,

wa anjiz bihi mawa`idana

fulfill Your promises to us,

wastajib bihi da`watana

give answer to our prayers,

wa a`tina bihi su’lana

respond to our requests,

wa ballighna bihi min alddunya wal-akhirati amalana

make us attain our hopes in this world as well as the world to come,

wa a`tina bihi fawqa raghbatina

and grant us beyond our wishes.

ya khayra almas’ulina

O Most Favorable of all those whom may be besought

wa awsa`a almu`tina

and Most magnanimous of all those who may grant requests!

ishfi bihi sudurana

Through him, heal our breasts,

wa adhhib bihi ghayza qulubina

remove the rage of our hearts,

wahdina bihi lima ukhtulifa fihi min alhaqqi bi’idhnika

and in the event of dispute in the matter of truth, show us the right path.

innaka tahdi man tasha’u ila siratin mustaqimin

Verily, You guide whosoever You will to the Right Path.

wansurna bihi `ala `aduwwina wa `aduwwika

Grant us victory over Your and our enemy.

ilaha alhaqqi amina

O God of Truth, respond to us!

allahumma inna nashku ilayka

O Allah, we complain to You

faqda nabiyyina salawatuka `alayhi wa alihi

about the departure of our Prophet, Your blessings be on him and on his Household,

wa ghaybata waliyyina

the absence of our leader,

wa kathrata `aduwwina

the big numbers of our enemies,

wa qillata `adadina

the few number of us,

wa shiddata alfitani bina

widespread disorder,

wa tazahura alzzamani `alayna

and vicissitudes of time against us.

fasalli `ala muhammadin wa alihi

So, (please do) send blessings to Muhammad and his Household

wa a`inna `ala dhalika bifathin minka tu`ajjiluhu

and help us overcome all that through victory from You that You expedite,

wa bidurrin takshifuhu

through relieving us from our injuries,

wa nasrin tu`izzuhu

through Your help that You confirm,

wa sultani haqqin tuzhiruhu

through bringing in the rule of justice and fair-play,

wa rahmatin minka tujallilunaha

through mercy that You expand over us,

wa `afiyatin minka tulbisunaha

and through good health that You cover us with,

birahmatika ya arhama alrrahimina

in the name of Your mercy, O most Merciful of all those who show mercy!

#DuaIftitah