DU’A KUMAIL
The Supplication of
Imam Ali bin Abi Talib (a.s.)
“AND YOUR LORD SAID: SUPPLICATE ME, I WILL RESPOND TO YOU;...”
Holy Qur’an (40:60)
“SUPPLICATION (DU’A) IS A BELIEVER; WEAPON A PILLAR OF RELIGION, AND A LIGHT OF THE HEAVEN AND THE EARTH.”
Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.)
“And remember Me, I will remember you, and be thankful to me and not ungrateful.”
Holy Qur’an (2:152)
“And your Lord says: ‘Call upon Me, I will answer you;’...”
Holy Qur’an (40:60)
Du’a “Kumail”, which we present in this book, is from Imam Ali bin Abi Talib (a.s.) and which is recited on every Thursday evening in many of the Islamic countries. The importance of the content of this du’a is such that when Imam Ali (a.s.) presented to one of his followers who was called Kumail bin Ziyad, he told him to recite it at least once in his lifetime if he was unable to recite it more than that.
The message of Du’a Kumail is so deep and intense that one can hardly recite it remaining dry-eyed. It speaks of the glory and majesty of Allah, the Most High, of His mercy and kindness, of His retribution and punishment, and of man’s need for Him and thankfulness for His Being.
We have long realized a need to re-edit this wonderful prayer. We have attempted to present Du’a Kumail in a way that can be easily recited in English and its meaning can become clear. A transliteration is also included so that one may be able to recite this du’a in Arabic. It is a universal prayer. We are pleased to present it and hope that all, Muslims and non-Muslims, will partake of its heartfelt message.
With Allah comes success.
INTRODUCTION
Kumail bin Ziyad Nakha’i was a faith full companion of Imam Ali, the Commander of the believers (a.s.) Kumail was well-known for his devotion and uncompromising allegiance to his Imam. His transmitted many of the important sayings and teachings of Imam Ali (a.s.). This famous du’a known as Du’a Kumail is one of the most important of those transmittals. Du’a Kumail was in response to Kumail’s request of Imam Ali (a.s.) for a prayer that would be the most useful for seeking assurance of Allah’s mercy.
The instructions delivered with this du’a emphasize that it should be recited as frequently as possible, but at least once in a lifetime. Faithful Muslims enjoy a weekly recitation of this du’a, usually on the evening of al-Khamis (Thursday) after Isha’ prayer.
Almighty Allah, the Gracious never treats a du’a indifferently which comes from one’s heart. Thus when you offer your du’a, do it with undivided attention to Allah, and have an implicit faith that your wishes will be granted by Him.
One of the blessings of Du’a Kumail is that by offering it, one’s personal needs are satisfied, prospects of livelihood are brightened, protection from one’s enemy’s evil intention is ensured and sins are pardoned. Thus, Muslims should offer this supplication regularly.
Imam Ali (a.s.) Foundation has taken upon itself to republish this du’a hoping that it will act as guidance and comfort to all who contemplate its deep and beautiful concepts.
بِسمِ اللهِ الرّحمنِ الرَّحيمِ
(Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the merciful.
اللّهُمّّ إنِّي أسألك بِرَحمَتِكَ الّتي وَسِعَتْ كُلَّ شَيءٍ
(Allahomma inni as’aloka birahmatikal-lati wasi’at kolla shay’,)
O Allah! I beseech you; by Mercy, which embraces all things;
وَبِقُوَّتِكَ الَّتي قَهَرتَ بِها كُلَّ شيءٍ وخَضَعَ لَها كُلُّ شيءٍ وَذّلَّ لَها كُلُّ شيءٍ
(Wa biqowatikal-lati qaharta biha kolla shay’ wa khada’a laha kollo shay’, wa dhalla laha kollo shay’,)
And by Your Strength, through which you have overcome all things, submitted all things, and humbled all things to it;
وَبِجَبَروتِكَ الَّتي غَلَبتَ بِها كُلَّ شيءٍ
(Wa bijabaroutikal-lati ghalabta biha kolla shay’,)
And bay Your Invincibility, through which you have conquered all things;
وَبِعزَّتِكَ الَّتي لا يَقُومُ لَها شيءٍ
(Wa bi-izzatikal-lati la yaqomo laha shay’,)
And by Your Might, which nothing can resist;
وَبِعَظَمَتِكَ الّتي مَلأتْ كُلَّ شيءٍ
(Wa bi-adamatikal-lati mala’at kolla shay’,)
And by Your Greatness, which has filled all things,
وَبِسُلطانِكَ الّذي عَلا كُلَّ شيءٍ
(Wa bi-soltanikal-ladhi ‘ala kolla shay’,)
And by your Authority, which towered over all things,
َبِوَجهِكَ الباقي بَعدَ فَناءِ كُلِّ شيءٍ
(Wa bi-wajhikal-baqi ba’ada fana’i kolli shay’,)
And by Your Self, which is abiding after all things are annihilated;
َبِأسمائِكَ الَّتي مَلأَتْ أركانَ كُلِّ شيءٍ
(Wa bi-asma’ikal-lati mala’at arkana kolli shay’,)
And by Your Distinctions, which have occupied the beings of all things;
وَبِعِلمِكَ الَّذي أحاطَ بِكُلِّ شيءٍ
(Wa bi’ilmikal-ladhi ahata bikolli shay’,)
And by Your Cognition, which encompasses all things;
وَبِنُورِ وَجهِكَ الَّذي أضاءَ لَهُ كُلُّ شَيءٍ
(Wa binuri wajhikal-ladhi ada’a laho kollo shay’,)
And by the Light of Your Face, by which all things are illuminated.
يا نُورُ يا قُدُّس يا أوَّلَ الأوَّلينَ ويا آخِرَ الآخَرينَ
(Ya nuru ya qoddus ya awwalal-awwalin wa ya akhiral-akhirin,)
O Light! O All-Holy! O First of those who are the first and Last of those who are the last!
اللّهُمَّ اغْفِر لِيَ الذُّنُوبَ الّتي تَهتِكُ العِصَمَ
(Allahomma ighfir li-yal dhonoubal-lati tahtikol 'isam,)
O Allah! Forgive me those sins, which destroy the in fallibilities.
اللّهُمَّ اغْفِر لِيَ الذُّنوبَ الّتي تُنزِلُ النِّقَمَ
(Allahomma ighfir li-yal dhonoubal-lati tonzilol niqam,)
O Allah! Forgive me those guilts, which bring down retributions.
اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِر لِيَ الذُّنوبَ الَّتي تُغَيِّرُ النِّعَمَ
(Allahomma ighfir li-yel dhonoubul-llati toghayyrun Ni'am,)
O Allah! Forgive me those guilts, which restrain graces.
اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِر لِيَ الذُّنوبَ الَّتي تَحبِسُ الدُّعاءَ
(Allahomma ighfir li-yal dhonoubal-lati tahbisul du'a,)
O Allah! Forgive me those guilts, which restrain supplication.
اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِر لِيَ الذُّنوبَ الَّتي تُنزِلُ البَلاءَ
(Allahomma ighfir li-yal dhonoubal-lati tonzilul bala',)
O Allah! Forgive me those guilts, which bring the woes.
اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِر لِيَ الذُّنوبَ الَّتي تَقطَعُ الرَّجاءَ
(Allahomma ighfir li-yal dhonoubal-lati taqtaorraja',)
O Allah! Forgive me those sins, which lessen the hope.
اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِر لِيَ كُلَّ ذَنْبٍ أذْنَبتُهُ وَكُلَّ خَطيئَةٍ أخْطَأتُها
(Allahomma ighfir li-yal kolla dhanbi adhnabtoho wa kolla khati'ati akht'atoha,)
O Allah! Forgive me every guilt I have committed and every error I have made.
اللَّهُمَّ إنَّي أَتَقَرَّبُ إلَيكَ بِذِكرِكَ وَأسْتَشْفِعُ بِكَ إلى نَفْسِكَ
(Allahomma inni ataqarrabo ilayka bidhikrika wa astashfi'o bika ila nafsik,)
O Allah! I approach You, through remembrance of You; and I seek intercession from You with Yourself;
وَأسْألُكَ بِجودِكَ أنْ تُدْنِيَني مِنْ قُربِكَ وَأنْ تُوزِعَني شُكْرَكَ وَأنْ تُلْهِمَني ذِكْرَكَ
(wa as'aloka bijoudika an tudniyani min qorbika wa an touzi'ani shukraka wa an tulhimani dhikrak,)
I beg You through Your Munificence, to bring me nearer to Your Proximity; and provide me with gratitude to You; and inspire me with Your Remembrance.
