When you finish reading the Quran, whether after a daily reading session or upon completing a full Khatm, there is a specific supplication recited by Muslims worldwide as a mark of respect and gratitude for the words of Allah SWT.
The Dua After Reading the Quran
The most widely recited phrase upon completing Quran recitation is:
سُبْحَانَكَ اللَّهُمَّ وَبِحَمْدِكَ، أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ، أَسْتَغْفِرُكَ وَأَتُوبُ إِلَيْكَ
Transliteration: Subhaanaka Allahumma wa bihamdika, ash-hadu an laa ilaaha illa anta, astaghfiruka wa atoobu ilayk
Meaning: “Glory be to You, O Allah, and all praise. I bear witness that there is no god worthy of worship except You. I seek Your forgiveness and I turn to You in repentance.”
This supplication is known as the Kaffaratul Majlis, the expiation of a gathering, and its recitation is confirmed in a Hadith narrated by Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) in which the Prophet ﷺ said:
“Whoever sits in a gathering and much noise occurs in it, then before getting up he says: ‘Subhaanaka Allahumma wa bihamdika, ash-hadu an laa ilaaha illa anta, astaghfiruka wa atoobu ilayk’ – except that he would be forgiven for what occurred in that gathering.” (Tirmidhi – graded Sahih)
Applied after Quran recitation, this Dua acknowledges that even our best acts of worship fall short of Allah’s true greatness, and we seek His forgiveness for any shortcomings in our recitation, whether in pronunciation, attention, or presence of heart.
Sadaqallahul Azeem – The Khatm Dua
When completing a full reading of the Quran (Khatm al-Quran), the most commonly recited phrase is:
صَدَقَ اللَّهُ الْعَظِيمُ
Transliteration: Sadaqallahul Azeem
Meaning: “Allah the Most Great has spoken the truth.”
This phrase is recited after completing the last verse of the Quran, Surah An-Nas, as an affirmation that every word of the Quran is truth from Allah SWT. It is a widely practiced tradition among Muslims completing their Khatm, particularly in Ramadan.
Scholars note that while Sadaqallahul Azeem is not narrated as a specific prophetic instruction after Quran recitation, it has been practiced by Muslims for centuries as a statement of affirmation and is considered permissible. The Kaffaratul Majlis supplication above carries stronger Hadith support for post-recitation use.
A Longer Dua for Completing the Full Quran
Many Muslims recite a more comprehensive Dua upon completing their full Khatm, asking Allah to accept the recitation, grant its intercession, and make the Quran a light and guide in their life. One widely recited version includes:
اللَّهُمَّ ارْحَمْنِي بِالْقُرْآنِ، وَاجْعَلْهُ لِي إِمَامًا وَنُورًا وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةً
Transliteration: Allahummar-hamnee bil Quran, waj’alhu lee imaaman wa noowan wa hudaan wa rahmah
Meaning: “O Allah, have mercy on me through the Quran, and make it for me a leader, a light, a guidance, and a mercy.”
This is reported in various collections of Islamic supplications and is widely recited at Khatm gatherings. For the full version of the Khatm Dua including additional supplications, Sunnah.com is a reliable and free resource for referencing authenticated Islamic supplications and Hadith.
When to Recite These Duas
- After every reading session, recite the Kaffaratul Majlis supplication (Subhaanaka Allahumma) as a closing mark of respect
- After completing a Juzz, a brief Alhamdulillah and the Kaffaratul Majlis is sufficient
- After completing the full Quran (Khatm), recite Sadaqallahul Azeem followed by a personal Dua asking Allah to accept your recitation and make the Quran a source of intercession and guidance
Why the Dua After Quran Matters
Ending Quran recitation with Dua reflects proper adab, the Islamic etiquette of approaching Allah’s words with humility and gratitude. It acknowledges that however much we read, Allah’s speech is infinitely greater than our ability to recite it perfectly.
Building this habit alongside consistent daily Tilawah deepens the spiritual experience of Quran reading significantly. For the benefits of maintaining that daily habit, our post on benefits of reading Quran daily covers the Islamic rewards of consistent Tilawah in detail.
For students learning to read the Quran properly with Tajweed through our Quran recitation course, ending each session with this Dua is something we encourage as part of building the complete habit of Quran engagement, not just the technical skill of reading.
For those planning their Ramadan Quran reading and working toward completing a full Khatm, our Ramadan Quran reading schedule gives a practical 30-day plan. And for understanding the measured, intentional recitation that makes each reading session more meaningful, our post on what is Tarteel in Quran recitation covers the Quranic command behind reciting with presence and purpose.
FAQs On Dua after Reading the Quran
It is a widely practiced tradition among Muslims, but it is not confirmed as a specific prophetic Sunnah after Quran recitation. The Kaffaratul Majlis supplication (Subhaanaka Allahumma) has stronger Hadith support. Both are permissible to recite.
Yes, after completing a reading session or full Khatm is one of the most blessed times to make personal Dua. The Prophet ﷺ mentioned that Dua is accepted in certain special moments, and the completion of Quran recitation is considered one of them by scholars.
Yes, teaching children to close their Quran session with a brief supplication builds the habit of adab toward the Quran from an early age. The Kaffaratul Majlis is short enough for young children to memorize quickly.