51.They said. "Our Lord! We have wronged ourselves. If You forgive us not, and bestow not upon us Your Mercy, we shall certainly be of the losers." (7:23).

رَبَّنَا ظَلَمْنَا أَنفُسَنَا وَإِن لَّمْ تَغْفِرْ لَنَا وَتَرْحَمْنَا لَنَكُونَنَّ مِنَ الْخَاسِرِينَ

Who invoked this dua?

بِسْمِ ٱللَّٰهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِٱلرَّحِيمِ

Ans: Adam (Alai) & Hawwa (Alai).

Allah said to Adam (Alai): "O Adam! Dwell you and your wife in Paradise, and eat thereof as you both wish, but approach not this tree otherwise you both will be of the Zalimun (unjust and wrong-doers)." (7:19).

Allah put a test for both. Allah warn them not to go near to the tree. So that they were never be temp- ted to do the forbidden thing. Allah further warned them and said: "O Adam! Verily, Shaitan is an enemy to you and to your wife. So let him not get you both out of Paradise, so that you be distressed in misery." (Taha,  20:117).

But Shaitan whispered to him, saying: "O Adam! Shall I lead you to the Tree of Eternity and to a king- dom that will never waste away?" (20:120). "Then they both ate of the tree, and so their private parts appeared to them, and they began to stick on themselves the leaves from Paradise for their covering. Thus did Adam disobey his Lord, so he went astray." (20:121).

As a punishment, Allah said: "Get you down all ( man & Shaitan) with enmity between yourselves. On earth will be a dwelling place for you and an enjoyment for a time." (2:36). Then his Lord chose him, and turned to him with forgiveness, and gave him guidance. (Taha, 20:122). They both received from his Lord some Words (2:37). They both realized their mistake. They never blamed Shaitan nor the circumstances for their mistake, but took the blame for themselves.

They immediately repent. They said "Our Lord! We have wronged ourselves. If You forgive us not, and bestow not upon us Your Mercy, we shall certainly be of the losers." (7:23). Since Paradise was taken away from them they were in a state of desperation and they were sincerely pleading from their heart for the dua to be accepted. They trusted Allah for His limitless mercy. Verily, He is التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِيمُ. And his Lord accepted their repentance and pardoned them.

This dua was taught by Allah as a model for repentance. It guides us about seeking of forgiveness of Allah and shows the "Great wisdom" of Allah. Similar guidance was given in Quran by Allah: "Our Lord! Forgive us our sins and efface our bad deeds and take our souls in the company of the righteous." (Quran 3:193). “Ask forgiveness of your Lord. Indeed, He is ever a Perpetual Forgiver. (71:10).

Memorize this dua and recite daily. During Hajj the Hajies recite this dua at Arafath whole heartedly to purify themselves from all their sins.

 الحمدلله