If you’re reading these words then you are likely among the intelligent ones capable of learning without difficulties.

We take this for granted, but we must realize those who Allah has willed with intellectual abilities automatically assumes a certain level of responsibility. The more wise a person is, the more responsible he or she must be. This is similar to the idea of the more wealth or power the more responsibility follows.

When a level of intelligence is missing or if they are unwillingly ignorant the responsibility is not there. This is why children below a certain age in Islam are not yet held responsible for their actions.

Being among the intelligent group, we must come to realize that part of the human experience is that we are flawed, we sometimes make mistakes from lack of better judgement, or by letting our desires and emotions take control of us. This can happen deliberately where we know we have really messed up or it can happen unknowingly. But either way it does happen.

These are what I call ‘the happenings’ and what’s not important is what happened but how we react to these happenings. That’s all we have in our control, none of us possess the ability to go back in time to fix our mistakes. The mature take full responsibility and ownership of their life and their actions.

The important thing moving forward is we try to make amends for our errors while we are still breathing. Luckily, Allah has given us many ways we can repent, we will cover one dua from Surah Araf asking for his forigveness.

rabbana zalamna anfusana full dua:

The rabbana zalamna anfusana dua is from Surah Al A’raf verse 23:

رَبَّنَا ظَلَمْنَا أَنفُسَنَا وَإِن لَّمْ تَغْفِرْ لَنَا وَتَرْحَمْنَا لَنَكُونَنَّ مِنَ الْخَاسِرِينَ

Rabbana zalamna anfusana wa-in lam taghfir lana watarhamnalanakoonanna mina alkhasireen

Our Lord, we have wronged ourselves, and if You do not forgive us and have mercy upon us, we will surely be among the losers.

Reciting this dua has many benefits.

It’s one thing to pay lip service, someone teaching you the Arabic words to this dua when you’re a non-native Arab speaker will bring some blessings. But now you know the english meaning of the popular rabbana zalamna anfusana dua which makes it more meaningful and effective.

To know you are among “the losers” and to admit this is a powerful acceptance of your own flaws. Allah loves those who are humble and do not boast. 

In the Quran it says “Successful indeed are the believers, those who humble themselves in their prayers.” (Surah Al-Muminoon Verse 1-2)

In a different ayat of Surah Al A’raf it says, “Call on your Lord with humility and in private, for Allah loves not those who transgress beyond bounds. Do not mischief on the earth, after it has been set in order, but call on Him with fear and longing in your hearts, for the Mercy of Allah is always near to those who do good. (7:55-56)

Being sincere when you know you are wrong takes character and is something a lot of people struggle to do. It’s hard to admit what you have done is wrong, this goes against what your ego desires and is an uncomfortable feeling. 

Inshallah recitation of this dua will bring us closer to Allah. Ameen.