What dua do I say when leaving a gathering?
When leaving a gathering, say "Subhanakallahumma wa bihamdika, ash-hadu an la ilaha illa anta, astaghfiruka wa atubu ilayk". It's called the kaffarat al-majlis, the "expiation of the gathering", because it wipes out the small slips of speech that happened while you sat together.
The words and their meaning
"Subhanakallahumma wa bihamdika, ash-hadu an la ilaha illa anta, astaghfiruka wa atubu ilayk."
Meaning: "Glory be to You, O Allah, and praise be to You. I bear witness that there is no god but You. I seek Your forgiveness and turn to You in repentance."
The Prophet ﷺ said that whoever sits in a gathering where there is a lot of idle talk, and says these words before getting up, is forgiven for what happened in that gathering (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 3433).
Why it matters
Conversations drift. A bit of gossip, an exaggerated story, a joke that went too far. This short dua is a simple way to clean the slate before you walk out the door. Some scholars link it to this verse:
It contains three things every Muslim needs: glorifying Allah ("SubhanAllah"), declaring His oneness, and asking forgiveness ("Astaghfirullah"). See What does "Astaghfirullah" mean and how often do I say it?
Which gatherings does it cover?
- Family dinners and holiday get-togethers.
- Coffee with friends, a study group, or a halaqa at the mosque.
- Work meetings and lunch breaks with colleagues.
- Online calls and group chats, by extension, when you sign off.
Even gatherings that were all good benefit from it, as a seal of praise. See Can I hug my relatives at holiday gatherings as a Muslim?
Other sunnah manners when leaving
- Say salam. The Prophet ﷺ taught us to greet with salam when we arrive and again when we leave, and the first is no more deserving than the last (Sunan Abi Dawud 5208).
- Say it quietly in mixed company. With non-Muslim friends or colleagues, just say the dua under your breath and a normal "bye, see you soon". No one needs to notice.
- Fix it if needed. The dua covers minor slips, but if you hurt someone or backbit them, apologise or speak well of them where you can.
New to dhikr? See What is dhikr and how do I start?
- Say "Subhanakallahumma wa bihamdika..." before leaving any gathering.
- It forgives the idle talk of that sitting (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 3433).
- It works at family dinners, work meetings and online calls alike.
- Leave with salam, and fix bigger wrongs directly with people.
People also ask
What does "Jazakallahu khairan" mean?
"Jazakallahu khairan" means "May Allah reward you with good". Why Muslims say it instead of thanks, the forms to use and how to reply.
Read the full answer →Can I make dua for my pet?
Yes, you can make dua for your pet: for healing, safety or a lost animal. What Islam says about mercy to animals and grieving a pet that dies.
Read the full answer →What is salat al-hajah?
Salat al-hajah is the prayer of need: two voluntary rak'ahs followed by dua when you need Allah's help. How to pray it, when, and its sources.
Read the full answer →What does "Qadarallah" mean?
Qadarallah means "Allah has decreed it". Muslims say it after a setback instead of "if only". The full phrase, its hadith source and when to use it.
Read the full answer →What dua do I say when I look in the mirror?
Many Muslims say "Allahumma kama hassanta khalqi fa hassin khuluqi" at the mirror. Its meaning, how authentic the mirror link is, and body image.
Read the full answer →