Istighfar (Seeking Forgiveness)

 Then, verily! Your Lord for those who do evil (commit sins and are disobedient to Allah) in ignorance and afterward repent and do righteous deeds, verily, your Lord thereafter, (to such) is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (An-Nahl 16:119)

We often forget the importance of this simple but powerful dua called Istghfar that is; saying Astaghfurullah ( I seek forgiveness from Allah).The holy Prophet (PBUH) recited this at least 100 times a day. It is stated in different parts of the Holy Quran why we should seek forgiveness from Allah (SWT) frequently. Allah (SWT) is the only one who can forgive our sins.

Let us all see the benefits of reciting this supplication

•   The most important reason for reciting Istghfar is seeking forgiveness from Allah (SWT). Both Quran and Hadith are clear that those who repent sincerely to Allah, acknowledging their sins, and promise not to return again to those sins will have their sins forgiven. As written above in Surah An-Nahl our Lord is the Most forgiving and Most Merciful.   
• Istghfar removes anxiety and makes our duas more worthy of response; when one seeks forgiveness from Allah, it makes it easier for our duas to be answered.
•        Istighfar opens the doors of mercy and sustenance

•   It opens the door of knowledge

•    It is also a gateway for productivity

•    Istighfar is an effective way of calming oneself and wipes away worldly worries from our minds.

•  Istighfar also helps us to refrain from all forms of sins. Reciting it regularly reminds us of Allah’s oneness. 

 And verily, I am indeed Forgiving to him who repents, believes (in My Oneness, and associates none in worship with Me) and does righteous good deeds, and then remains constant in doing them, (till his death). [Ta-Ha 20:82]

 There are a lot of Hadith which buttresses my point on the importance of Istighfar

 Ibn Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) said: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said;

“If anyone constantly seeks pardon from Allah, He will appoint for him a way out of every distress and a relief from every anxiety, and will provide sustenance for him from where he expects not.” [Abu Dawud]

In another hadith, Abdullah bin Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) narrates that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) said:

“The one who (regularly) says Istighfaar, that is, frequently repent to Allah Ta’aala for sins committed, Allah Azza Wa-Jal will open a path from poverty and difficulties. All sorrow and hardship will be removed, and in its place prosperity and contentment granted. One will receive sustenance from unimagined and unexpected sources.”

Alhamdulillah, we all should learn to do Tasbih of Astaghfirullah at least 100 times a day as it is the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). 

The virtue of seeking forgiveness is well-known, it is a reason of obtaining forgiveness, entering Paradise, having good provisions, increasing one’s strength, repelling harm, having affairs facilitated, the descent of rain, and increasing in wealth and children.

The doors of repentance are always open hence, do not delay your repentance in hope of tomorrow, as tomorrow is uncertain. Repent now and make it a habit to ask Allah’s forgiveness by reciting Astaghfurullah.

May Allah (SWT) forgive us all for our shortcomings and make Jannat Firdaus our home in the hereafter. Ameen

Ma Salaam

Love: Deejah