Dua for parents from the Quran
The best-known dua for parents is “Rabbir-hamhuma kama rabbayani saghira”: My Lord, have mercy on them as they raised me when I was small. Here it is with the other du‘as for parents in the Quran, with Arabic, meaning and reference, and what Islam teaches about honouring mother and father.
Last updated: 4 October 2026
Rabbir-hamhuma kama rabbayani saghira
وَٱخْفِضْ لَهُمَا جَنَاحَ ٱلذُّلِّ مِنَ ٱلرَّحْمَةِ وَقُل رَّبِّ ٱرْحَمْهُمَا كَمَا رَبَّيَانِى صَغِيرًۭا
“Lower to them the wing of humility out of mercy, and say: “My Lord, have mercy on them as they raised me when I was small.””
This comes straight after the command: “Your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him, and that you be good to parents” (Al-Isra 17:23).
Al-Isra 17:24 (Quran). Arabic: Tanzil (Uthmani, Hafs)More duas for parents from the Quran
The du‘a of Ibrahim
رَبَّنَا ٱغْفِرْ لِى وَلِوَٰلِدَىَّ وَلِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ يَوْمَ يَقُومُ ٱلْحِسَابُ
“Our Lord, forgive me, my parents and the believers on the Day the account is established. (Ibrahim.)”
Ibrahim 14:41 (Quran). Arabic: Tanzil (Uthmani, Hafs)The du‘a of Nuh
رَّبِّ ٱغْفِرْ لِى وَلِوَٰلِدَىَّ وَلِمَن دَخَلَ بَيْتِىَ مُؤْمِنًۭا وَلِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَٱلْمُؤْمِنَٰتِ وَلَا تَزِدِ ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ إِلَّا تَبَارًۢا
“My Lord, forgive me and my parents and whoever enters my house as a believer, and the believing men and women. (Nuh.)”
Nuh 71:28 (Quran). Arabic: Tanzil (Uthmani, Hafs)Gratitude for parents’ blessings
وَوَصَّيْنَا ٱلْإِنسَٰنَ بِوَٰلِدَيْهِ إِحْسَٰنًا ۖ حَمَلَتْهُ أُمُّهُۥ كُرْهًۭا وَوَضَعَتْهُ كُرْهًۭا ۖ وَحَمْلُهُۥ وَفِصَٰلُهُۥ ثَلَٰثُونَ شَهْرًا ۚ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا بَلَغَ أَشُدَّهُۥ وَبَلَغَ أَرْبَعِينَ سَنَةًۭ قَالَ رَبِّ أَوْزِعْنِىٓ أَنْ أَشْكُرَ نِعْمَتَكَ ٱلَّتِىٓ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَىَّ وَعَلَىٰ وَٰلِدَىَّ وَأَنْ أَعْمَلَ صَٰلِحًۭا تَرْضَىٰهُ وَأَصْلِحْ لِى فِى ذُرِّيَّتِىٓ ۖ إِنِّى تُبْتُ إِلَيْكَ وَإِنِّى مِنَ ٱلْمُسْلِمِينَ
“My Lord, enable me to be grateful for Your favour which You have bestowed on me and on my parents, and to do righteous deeds that please You, and make my descendants righteous. I have turned to You in repentance, and I am among the Muslims.”
Al-Ahqaf 46:15 (Quran). Arabic: Tanzil (Uthmani, Hafs)Honouring parents in Islam
- Being good to parents comes directly after worshipping Allah in the Quran (Al-Isra 17:23).
- Asked who most deserves good company, the Prophet ﷺ said “your mother” three times, then “your father” (Sahih al-Bukhari 5971).
- A righteous child’s du‘a continues to benefit parents after they die (Sahih Muslim 1631).
Teach children this du‘a early; see duas for kids. More Quranic du‘as are in Rabbana duas, and all topics in our daily duas.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most famous dua for parents?
“Rabbir-hamhuma kama rabbayani saghira” (My Lord, have mercy on them as they raised me when I was small), from Al-Isra 17:24.
Can I make dua for parents who have died?
Yes. The Prophet ﷺ said that when a person dies their deeds end except three, including a righteous child who prays for them (Sahih Muslim 1631).
Can I make dua for non-Muslim parents?
You can pray for their guidance and good in this life, and treat them with kindness, as the Quran commands (Luqman 31:15). Asking forgiveness for those who died as non-Muslims is not permitted (At-Tawbah 9:113).
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