Quick answer: The best-known dua for parents is from the Quran: رَبِّ ارْحَمْهُمَا كَمَا رَبَّيَانِي صَغِيرًا – Rabbir-hamhuma kama rabbayani saghira – “My Lord, have mercy on them as they raised me when I was small” (Surah Al-Isra 17:24). A second Quranic dua, Rabbanagh-fir li wa li-walidayya (14:41), asks forgiveness for yourself, your parents and all believers. Both can be read for living and deceased parents, at any time.
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Dua for Parents in Arabic (Quran 17:24)
رَبِّ ارْحَمْهُمَا كَمَا رَبَّيَانِي صَغِيرًا
Transliteration
Rabbir-hamhuma kama rabbayani saghira.
English Meaning
My Lord, have mercy on them both, as they brought me up when I was little.
Urdu Tarjuma
اے میرے رب! ان دونوں پر رحم فرما جیسا کہ انہوں نے بچپن میں میری پرورش کی۔
The verse comes right after Allah’s command to worship Him alone and be good to parents, not to say even “uff” to them in their old age and to lower the wing of humility to them out of mercy (Quran 17:23–24). So this dua is not only words – it is meant to come with gentle speech and service.
Second Quranic Dua: Walidain ke liye Maghfirat (Quran 14:41)
رَبَّنَا اغْفِرْ لِي وَلِوَالِدَيَّ وَلِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ يَوْمَ يَقُومُ الْحِسَابُ
Transliteration: Rabbanagh-fir li wa li-walidayya wa lil-mu’minina yawma yaqumul-hisab.
English: Our Lord, forgive me, my parents and the believers on the Day the reckoning is established.
اردو: اے ہمارے رب! مجھے، میرے والدین کو اور تمام مومنوں کو اس دن بخش دے جس دن حساب قائم ہوگا۔
This was the dua of Prophet Ibrahim عليه السلام. Many Muslims read it in the last sitting of salah before salam, or after the masnoon azkar after namaz.
When to Recite the Dua for Parents
- Daily: after the five prayers, in sujood of nafl prayers, or before sleeping along with the dua before sleeping.
- For living parents: ask for their health, iman, ease and a good end – and show it in action: visiting, calling, helping with tasks and speaking softly.
- For deceased parents: keep making dua and giving charity on their behalf. The Prophet ﷺ said that when a person dies his deeds end except three: ongoing charity, beneficial knowledge, and a righteous child who prays for him (Sahih Muslim 1631). See also our guides on the dua for the deceased and Mayyat ke liye dua.
- No fixed count: there is no authentic number of repetitions; say it sincerely as often as you like.
Why Kindness to Parents Matters So Much
Abdullah ibn Mas’ud asked the Prophet ﷺ which deed is most beloved to Allah. He said: prayer at its proper time, then kindness to parents, then striving in Allah’s cause (Sahih al-Bukhari 527). The Quran repeats the command to honour parents next to the command of tawhid, and Surah Luqman (31:14–15) orders good treatment even of parents who are not Muslim, while not obeying them in disobedience to Allah.
If the relationship is difficult
Honouring parents never requires accepting abuse. You can stay respectful, keep a safe distance where needed, seek help from family elders or professionals, and still make dua for their guidance. Our dua for hajat page lists authentic duas you can use when a family problem weighs on you.
Teaching Children the Dua for Parents
Because Rabbir-hamhuma is short, it is one of the first duas children can learn. Explain the meaning in Urdu or English first, then teach the Arabic in two parts (Rabbir-hamhuma / kama rabbayani saghira). Reciting it together after Maghrib is an easy family habit. A digital tasbih counter can help children keep track if they like counting their dhikr.
خلاصہ: والدین کے لیے سب سے مشہور دعا «رَبِّ ارْحَمْهُمَا كَمَا رَبَّيَانِي صَغِيرًا» ہے (سورۃ الاسراء 17:24)۔ زندہ اور فوت شدہ دونوں والدین کے لیے یہ دعا ہر وقت پڑھی جا سکتی ہے، اور اس کے ساتھ ان سے حسنِ سلوک بھی ضروری ہے۔
Related Reading
- Dua of Yunus – for hardship and repentance
- Dua when entering the home
- Namaz-e-Janaza ka tarika and janaze ki dua
FAQ
What is the best dua for parents?
Rabbir-hamhuma kama rabbayani saghira (Quran 17:24): My Lord, have mercy on them as they raised me when I was small.
Can I read Rabbirhamhuma for living parents?
Yes. It is a dua for mercy and suits both living and deceased parents.
Which dua asks forgiveness for parents?
Rabbanagh-fir li wa li-walidayya wa lil-mu’minina yawma yaqumul-hisab (Quran 14:41), the dua of Prophet Ibrahim.
Does dua benefit deceased parents?
Yes. Sahih Muslim 1631 mentions a righteous child who prays for the parent as one of three deeds that continue after death.
How many times should I read the dua for parents?
No fixed number is reported. Read it sincerely and regularly, for example after every prayer.
Source & review: References: Quran (quran.com 17:23–24, 14:41, 31:14–15), Hadith (sunnah.com: Bukhari 527, Muslim 1631). Content reviewed by Qilaj editorial team.
