Allāhumma ghfir lī wa-rḥamnī wa-hdinī — Dua for Forgiveness, Mercy, and Guidance

Tariq ibn Ashyam (may Allah be pleased with him) relates: "The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) used to recite this dua in the salah (prayer) after the tashahhud and before giving the salam: 'O Allah! Forgive me, have mercy on me, guide me, grant me well-being, and provide for me'" (Sahih Muslim, Salah 206/2697).

These five requests are the most comprehensive things a believer can ask for, both for this world and for the Hereafter:

Ighfir lī (Forgive me): The forgiveness of sins. It is the essence of istighfar. A person is always a sinner and is in constant need of forgiveness.

Wa-rḥamnī (Have mercy on me): To be treated with Allah's mercy. Without mercy no deed is sufficient.

Wa-hdinī (Guide me): To be shown the right path and to be kept upon it. Guidance is the key to every good.

Wa ʿāfinī (Grant me well-being): Health, soundness, and protection from afflictions. Well-being is the greatest of blessings. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "Ask for well-being; nothing better than well-being has been given" (Sunan an-Nasa'i, Istiadha 19).

Wa-rzuqnī (Provide for me): Lawful and blessed provision. Provision is both material and spiritual nourishment.

These five requests complete one another: forgiveness erases sins, mercy softens the heart, guidance shows the way, well-being protects the body, and provision meets one's needs. It is a sunnah to recite this dua in every salah before the salam.