Question

Please provide the reference of this du’a attributed to Ibrahim ibn Adham (rahimahullah)

“My Lord, Your disobedient slave has come to you confessing his sins and he has called You. If you forgive then you’re familiar with forgiving, and if you reject my call [for forgiveness] then who else can show mercy besides You?”

 

Answer

This du’a has been referenced to Ibrahim ibn Adham in certain non-Hadith books. It has also been referenced to a poet in other books.

(Refer: Sharhul Murshidi ‘ala ‘Uqudil Juman fi ‘ilmil Ma’ani wal bayan, pg. 105)

Nevertheless, the wording is excellent and displays humility and subservience to Allah Ta’ala:

إلهي عبدك العاصي أتاك – مقر بالذنوب وقد دعاك

فإن تغفر فأنت لذاك أهل – وإن تطرد فمن يرحم سواك

ilahi ‘abdukal ‘asi ataka – muqirrun bidh dhunubi wa qad da’aka

fa in taghfir fa anta lidhaka ahlu – wa in tadrud famay yarham siwaka

 

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

__________

التخريج من المصادر العربية

شرح عقود الجمان: (ص: ١٠٥)
… كقول ابراهيم بن أدهم في مناجاته:
* الهى عبدك العاصى أتا كا  *  مقرا بالذنوب وقد دعاكا
* فان تغفر فأنت لذاك أهـل  *  وان تطرد فمن يرحم سوا كا