Parenting Perspective 

When you have made a mistake, particularly in front of your child, it is important to find a way to regain your composure and reset emotionally and spiritually. A short Dua, or supplication, can be a powerful tool to calm your mind and seek guidance from Allah Almighty. Turning to prayer not only helps you regain your inner balance but also models humility and spiritual growth for your child. 

Seek Forgiveness Through a Brief Supplication 

A brief, sincere prayer can provide immediate relief, allowing you to release negative feelings and approach the situation with a clear heart. The act of seeking forgiveness is a form of repentance and a reminder that we are always in need of Allah’s mercy. 

A simple Dua you can use is: 

Astaghfirullaha Rabbi min kulli dhambin wa atubu ilayh. 

‘I ask forgiveness from Allah, my Lord, from every sin I have committed, and I turn to Him in repentance.’ 

This prayer helps you acknowledge your error and reset your emotional state, allowing you to return to your child with greater calm and clarity. 

Pause for Reflection and Humility 

After making your Dua, take a moment to reflect on your actions and ask Allah Almighty for the strength to do better. Prayer is not only about seeking forgiveness but also about gaining the clarity needed to make a positive change. 

You can then say to your child: ‘I have asked Allah for forgiveness, and I will do my best to act better next time.’ 

This statement reaffirms your commitment to self-improvement and shows your child that while mistakes are human, we must always strive to be better. 

Reaffirm Your Commitment to Improve 

One of the best ways to complete your reset is to make a clear commitment to yourself and your child that you will work on managing your emotions more effectively. A simple statement reinforces this intention for everyone. 

You could say: ‘I am going to take a deep breath and approach things calmly from now on.’ 

This shows that you are taking active steps to ensure a more thoughtful and patient response in the future, modelling true humility. 

Spiritual Insight 

In Islam, turning to Allah Almighty for forgiveness is the ultimate way to reset spiritually and emotionally. Seeking His mercy after an error is a powerful affirmation that while we are human and fallible, the pursuit of improvement is the essence of our faith. 

The Transformative Power of Repentance 

The noble Quran gives us the comforting reassurance that sincere repentance can turn our mistakes into opportunities for spiritual growth, reflecting Allah’s boundless mercy. 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Furqaan (25), Verse 70: 

‘ Except for the one who sought repentance, and believed (in the truth), and enacted virtuous deeds; so, for those people, Allah (Almighty) shall substitute (and extinguish) their evil deeds with good deeds; and Allah (Almighty) is All Forgiving and All Merciful.‘ 

This beautiful verse reminds us that our errors do not define us; rather, it is our turning back to Allah that shapes our spiritual journey. 

The Virtue of Seeking Forgiveness 

The teachings of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ highlight that seeking forgiveness after we err is a noble act that brings us closer to our Creator and purifies our hearts. 

It is recorded in Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith 4251, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘Every son of Adam sins, but the best of those who sin are those who repent.’ 

This hadith encourages us to embrace repentance as a constant practice. By making Dua after a mistake, we reset our spiritual state and approach our parental duties with greater mindfulness and a renewed commitment to self-reflection.