Istighfar

Everyone must ask for forgiveness from Allah Ta’ala for his shortcomings and this is called Istighfar.

Allah Ta’ala appreciates those who ask Him for forgiveness. Nabi (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam) was asking for forgiveness 70 to 100 times daily. And yet Allah Ta’ala had already proclaimed His grace in regards to Nabi (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam). The whole life of Nabi (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam) was spent in the Ibaadah of Allah Ta’ala. Yet, he felt the need to ask for forgiveness from Allah Ta’ala. How necessary should it be for us when our lives are filled with shortcomings? We should understand that the more a person makes the Ibaadah of Allah Ta’ala, the more he sees his shortcomings and the more he seeks forgiveness from Allah Ta’ala. That is why the Sahaabah-e-Kiraam (Radiyallahu Anhum) was asking for forgiveness from Allah Ta’ala. And this is even after spending an entire night in Ibaadah.

According to a Hadith, when a person makes a habit of asking Allah Ta’ala for forgiveness, Allah Ta’ala grants him three gifts:

1. He relieves him from all difficulties, 

2. He relieves him of all worries and

3. He provides him his needs in an unimaginable way.

According to a Hadith of Sunan Abu Dawud and Tirmizi, Nabi (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam) recommended the following formula to seek forgiveness:

"استغفر الله الذى لا اله الا هو الحى القيوم واتوب اليه"

It is good to read it 100 times morning and evening. It will be, at the same time, a means to purify us of our sins, to make us appreciable in the eyes of Allah Ta’ala and to open our path to success.

[English version of "Istighfaar" – Al Jamiat – Vol.4 No.15]