Allah (Subhanahu WaTaala), the all-Merciful and all-Forgiving, declares in the Holy Qur’an: “Say: O My slaves who have transgressed against themselves (by committing evil deeds and sins)! Despair not of the Mercy of Allah, verily Allah forgives all sins. Truly, He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” [Qur’an 39: 53] This Du'a is taught by the fourth Imam (a) and is Du'a #31 in Saheefa as­sajjadiyyah. The du'a is a touching plea by one who acknowledges the enormity of the sins he has committed. Hi