دُعَاءُ آدَمَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَام
Dua of Prophet Adam: Arabic Text, Transliteration, Meaning, and Lessons
At a Glance
Surah Al-A’raf, the 7th surah of the Quran
Verse 7:23 of Surah Al-A’raf
Prophet Adam (AS) and Hawwa, the first humans
Repentance, forgiveness, and mercy
The Dua of Prophet Adam in Arabic
قَالَا رَبَّنَا ظَلَمْنَآ أَنفُسَنَا وَإِن لَّمْ تَغْفِرْ لَنَا وَتَرْحَمْنَا لَنَكُونَنَّ مِنَ ٱلْخَـٰسِرِينَ
Rabbana zalamna anfusana, wa in lam taghfir lana wa tarhamna lanakunanna minal-khasirin.
Our Lord, we have wronged ourselves. If You do not forgive us and have mercy upon us, we will surely be among the losers.
اے ہمارے رب، ہم نے اپنی جانوں پر ظلم کیا۔ اگر تو نے ہمیں معاف نہ کیا اور ہم پر رحم نہ فرمایا تو ہم یقیناً نقصان اٹھانے والوں میں سے ہو جائیں گے۔
Meaning and Context
Allah created Adam and Hawwa and placed them in Paradise, where they could enjoy everything except one thing: a single tree they were told not to approach. That was the one command, and it came with a clear warning that Satan was their sworn enemy.
Satan deceived them anyway. He whispered to them until they ate from the forbidden tree, and in that moment their mistake was laid bare. Shame and remorse overtook them, and they were removed from Paradise and brought down to earth.
What happened next is what makes this story timeless. Adam did not argue, did not make excuses, and did not blame anyone else. The Quran tells us that Allah taught him words of repentance: “Then Adam received words from his Lord, and He accepted his repentance” (2:37, Surah Al-Baqarah). The dua in 7:23 is how Adam and Hawwa used those words, turning to their Lord together.
Notice the beauty of their words. They said “we have wronged ourselves”, taking full ownership of the mistake. Then they threw themselves on two things: Allah’s forgiveness and Allah’s mercy. They understood that without both, they would be among the losers.
Scholars draw a powerful contrast here between Adam and Iblis. Iblis disobeyed Allah too, but he refused to repent, blamed Allah, and became arrogant. Adam slipped, but he immediately turned back, admitted his fault without excuses, and was forgiven. That is why this dua is called the model of tawbah, sincere repentance, in Islam.
Virtues and When to Recite
This dua teaches us the three steps of true repentance: admit what you did, do not blame others, and turn back to Allah right away. Adam was forgiven the moment he followed this path, and that door of mercy stays open for every one of us. That is why this short prayer carries such weight.
People commonly recite this dua when seeking forgiveness, after making a mistake, or in their nightly duas. It is a natural choice in sujood, in the last third of the night, or whenever the heart feels heavy with regret. Many find it comforting to pair it with other Quranic duas from the prophets.
No fixed number of repetitions is authentically prescribed for this dua, so you can recite it once with presence of heart or repeat it as many times as you like. What matters most is sincerity and understanding the words as you say them.
FAQ
What does the dua of Prophet Adam mean?
It means: “Our Lord, we have wronged ourselves. If You do not forgive us and have mercy upon us, we will surely be among the losers.” It is a confession of wrongdoing combined with a plea for two things: forgiveness and mercy. The honesty of the first sentence and the hope of the second are what make it so complete.
Who made this dua, Adam alone or with Hawwa?
The dua was made by Adam and Hawwa together. That is why it is in the plural, “our Lord” and “we have wronged ourselves.” The verse begins with “qalā,” meaning “they both said,” showing that the first humans turned back to Allah side by side.
When should I read this dua?
Read it whenever you want to seek forgiveness: after a mistake, in your nightly duas, or in sujood during prayer. It is especially fitting in moments of regret, when the heart feels the weight of a wrong. There is no restricted time or fixed count, so it can be said whenever the need arises.
Is this dua really in the Quran?
Yes, it is verse 23 of Surah Al-A’raf, the 7th surah of the Quran. It is recorded as the exact words Adam and Hawwa said after eating from the forbidden tree. The related verse 2:37 in Surah Al-Baqarah mentions that Allah taught Adam words of repentance and accepted it.
What is the difference between Adam and Iblis after their mistakes?
Both disobeyed Allah, but their responses were opposite. Adam admitted his fault immediately, made no excuses, and asked for forgiveness, so Allah forgave him. Iblis refused to repent, blamed Allah, and stayed arrogant, so he became cursed. This is the central lesson scholars draw: the sin is not the end, the response to it is.
How do you pronounce this dua?
Say it as: “Rabbana zalamna anfusana, wa in lam taghfir lana wa tarhamna lanakunanna minal-khasirin.” Read it slowly, word by word, until the sounds feel natural. Listening to a reliable recitation while following the Arabic text above is the best way to correct your pronunciation.
Can I recite this dua in my prayers?
Yes, it can be recited in sujood (prostration) and during other moments of dua within or after the prayer. Since it is from the Quran, it is commonly included in personal supplications. Many people say it in the last third of the night or after the obligatory prayers when asking for forgiveness.
Final Thoughts
The first mistake in human history was answered with the first words of repentance, and Allah preserved those words for us in the Quran. Whenever you fall short, remember that you are following in the footsteps of Adam, not the footsteps of Iblis. Admit it, turn back, and say these words with a sincere heart. The mercy they opened then is still open now.
Continue Reading
Explore the Rabbana duas of the Quran, or return to the Quranic duas hub to discover more supplications made by the prophets.