Istighfar (Arabic: ٱسْتِغْفَار ʾistiġfār), is the act of seeking forgiveness from Allah, usually by saying ʾastaġfiru -llāha (Arabic: أَسْتَغْفِرُ ٱللَّٰهَ). A longer variant is ʾastaġfiru -llāha rabbī wa-ʾatūbu ʾilayhi (Arabic: أَسْتَغْفِرُ ٱللَّٰهَ رَبِّي وَأَتُوبُ إِلَيْهِ) which means (Verily, I seek the forgiveness of Allah, who is my Lord and Sustainer, and I turn to Him in repentance).[1] It is considered one of the essential parts of worship in Islam.
Istighfar is derived from the Arabic root غ-ف-ر, which related the covering of a thing with that which will keep it clean.
Meaning of Istagfar.
"Istighfar" means to pray to Allah that He may protect the supplicant from the evil consequences and poisonous influences of their transgressions and misdeeds, both in this world and the hereafter. Astaghfirullah literally translates to "I seek forgiveness in God".[2] Usually, a Muslim recites it as part of dhikr. That is to say that Allah is the greatest or that goodness comes from Allah. In popular culture, people can say this if they see something wrong or shameful.
Necessity of Istighfar.
Islam posits that human beings were created by God, with the ability to choose their own actions; either to do good deeds and obey Allah or choose to do evil deeds and disobey (Him).[Quran 76:3] However, Allah in His immense mercy and wisdom, knowing the fact that human beings were prone to errors, and in order to prevent man from carrying the burden of his sin(s) forever, opened the door of seeking Istighfar (forgiveness) for His servants who might have (mistakenly) committed sin or submitted to his desires and ignored the dictates of his conscience. Thus, Istighfar is the weapon of believers against shaytan/Satan who tries to lead them into hell by inviting them to sin.
In the Qur'an.
Istighfar, and some other names from the same root such as Ghafir, Al-Ghafoor, Ghaffar, occur in the Qur'an more than seventy times.
Quranic verses regarding Istighfar,
In the Qur'an, there are numerous verses on the issue of Istighfar, in which Allah commands the believers to always seek His forgiveness and turn to Him. Some examples of these verses are:
"And those who, when they commit an immorality or wrong themselves [by transgression], remember Allah and seek forgiveness for their sins - and who can forgive sins except Allah? - and [who] do not persist in what they have done while they know." (Al Quran 3:135)
"Those - their reward is forgiveness from their Lord and gardens beneath which rivers flow [in Paradise], wherein they will abide eternally; and excellent is the reward of the [righteous] workers." (Al Quran 3:136)
"Whoever commits evil or wrongs themselves then seeks Allah’s forgiveness will certainly find Allah All-Forgiving, Most Merciful." (Al Quran 4:110)
"So will they not repent to Allah and seek His forgiveness? And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful." (Al Quran 5:74)
"And seek your Lord’s forgiveness and turn to Him in repentance. He will grant you a good provision for an appointed term and graciously reward the doers of good. But if you turn away, then I truly fear for you the torment of a formidable Day." (Al Quran 11:3)
"And return to your Lord time after time and submit to Him before there comes to you the punishment, then you shall not be helped." (Al Quran 39:54)
"O you who have believed, repent to Allah with sincere repentance. Perhaps1 your Lord will remove from you your misdeeds and admit you into gardens beneath which rivers flow [on] the Day when Allah will not disgrace the Prophet and those who believed with him. Their light will proceed before them and on their right; they will say, "Our Lord, perfect for us our light and forgive us. Indeed, You are over all things competent." (Al Quran 66:8)
In Sunnah (Teachings of the Prophet)
In hadith, it was reported that: "The Prophet sought the forgiveness (Istighfar) from Allah, frequently and on daily basis."
"The Prophet is spoken of in a hadith as saying Istighfar multiple times a day, despite his infallibility."
The prophet used to seek forgiveness in the morning and night.
The prophet said: "The more one prays for pardoning of his sins the more good deeds will be credited to his account and on the Day of Judgement his deeds will appear shining."
Among the sunnah of the Prophet was that: "He never got up even from the smallest meeting without reciting Istighfar."
Another Hadith also mentions that: "The Holy Prophet recited ‘Astaghfirullah Wā tūbo ilaih’ many times every day."
Significance of Istighfar.
Istighfar (seeking forgiveness) safeguards the Supplicant against the evil consequences of his/her sins.
Istighfar (seeking forgiveness) increases the blessings of Allah (both material and spiritual).
Istighfar (seeking forgiveness) is one of the ways of finding inner peace and tranquillity.
Istighfar (seeking forgiveness) purifies ones from the physiological results of sins.
Istighfar (seeking forgiveness) turns evil deeds to good deeds.
Istighfar (seeking forgiveness) paves way for the acceptance of prayer.
Allah forgives those who sincerely seek forgiveness unconditionally.
The Prophet said: "Whoever makes Istighfar frequently, Allah will provide a way for him out of every distress and provide for him from sources he could never expect".
Conditions for Istighfar.
Seeking forgiveness (Istighfar) has 3 conditions with an additional 4th one if the sin involves the violation another person's rights:
To discontinue the sin
To regret having committed it
To resolve to never return to the sin
To restore the rights of the person that has been wronged.
Istighfar of prophets.
The Istighfar of an ordinary man was not a special case since they are not infallible. But in the case of the prophets and angels, such an act may be interpreted otherwise, because naturally, it contradicts the attributes of infallibility in them (prophets). Though, there is some relevant evidence showing the fact that prophets and the angels were also engaged in asking for divine forgiveness.
"The heavens nearly burst, one above the other, ˹in awe of Him˺. And the angels glorify the praises of their Lord, and seek forgiveness for those on earth. Surely Allah alone is the All-Forgiving, Most Merciful." (Al Quran 442:5) [11]
THE POWER OF ISTIGHFAR – ‘ASTAGHFIRULLAH’ (I seek forgiveness of Allah)
People often forget the importance of the simple yet powerful dua (supplication) – Istighfar i.e., saying “Astaghfirullah” (I seek forgiveness of Allah). Prophet Muhammad (SallAllahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) recited this at least 100 times a day. Let us see the benefits and virtues of reciting this simple beautiful supplication insha Allah.
Istighfar (Astaghfirullah) is the gateway of relief and happiness. Whenever you are in distress start reciting it and Insha Allah it will take you out of your anxiety and will put you in a peaceful situation and will give you happiness.
Istighfar removes anxiety and duas are answered.
Istighfar opens the door of sustenance.
Istighfar opens the door of mercy.
Istighfar opens the door of knowledge.
Istighfar is also gateway of productivity.
Istighfar relieves you. When you feel that sadness within you, when you are disturbed and frustrated, when anxiety surrounds you, say “Astaghfirullah” “Astaghfirullah”…Reciting Astaghfiruallah is an effective method of calming our self and wipes away the variety of worldly worries from our mind and body. It may also help us, if we are suffering from depression, it calms us and lessens our depression.
Astaghfirullah also helps us to refrain from all forms of sins. Regularly saying this reminds us that Allah is everywhere and in this way there is very small chances of doing wrongful actions.
Ibn Abbas (RadiyAllahu Anhu) said: The Messenger of Allah (SallAllahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) said:
“If anyone constantly seeks pardon (from Allah), Allah 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 (RadiyAllahu Anhu) narrates that Rasulullah (SallAllahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) 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.”
Rasulullah (SallAllahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) has said in another Hadith:
“The one who seeks forgiveness for Muslim males and females from Allah Ta’aala twenty six or twenty five times every day, Allah Ta’ala will count that person among those whose Du’a is accepted, and through the barakah of whom those on earth gain Rizq (sustenance).”
Do Tasbih of Astaghfaar at least 100 times daily as it is the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (SallAllahu Alayhi Wa Sallam).
In one minute, you can say “Astaghfiru Allaah” more than 100 times! 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 therefore don’t delay your repentance in a hope of tomorrow, as tomorrow is uncertain , Repent now and make it a habit to ask Allah’s forgiveness by reciting “Astaghfirullah”.
Say I believe in Allah’s mercy, I have sinned, I have gone astray, I have been negligent, but still I believe in Allah’s soothing mercy and forgiveness, I’ll not despair!
THANK YOU.
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