Istghfar is an Arabic word that means “Seeking forgiveness”. The phrase is used by Muslims for seeking forgiveness of their sins from ALLAH (SWT). When a Muslim is apologetic for their sins or they want to ask for forgiveness from the creator of the world –ALLAH (SWT) they do ISTAGHFAR because this is the only way to please ALLAH and ask forgiveness from ALLAH for their sins.

ISTAGHFAR IN ISLAM:

ASTAGHFAR is not only done by normal human beings like us but it was also done by the prophets and their companions who were already very pious and protected themselves from bad deeds but still, they used to do ISTAGHFAR and seek forgiveness of ALLAH (SWT) all the time.

The Holy Prophet (PBUH) said:

 “Indeed I ask Allah for forgiveness seventy times a day.”

These words are said by the Holy Prophet (PBUH) who was purest of all and free from all sorts of sins, who was assured by ALLAH (SWT) to be in Jannah but still He (PBUH) was scared of ALLAH and used to ask forgiveness from ALLAH (SWT) all the time.

DUAS FOR ASTAGHFAR:

Many duas have been told to the Muslims through the Holy Quran and Hadiths of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). All these prayers are different but the meanings are the same of all. Here are some of the most commonly used ISTAGHFAR prayers in the light of hadith:

Ø  “رب اغفر لي، وتب على إنك أنت التواب الرحيم”‏

The dua is recited as Rabb- ighfir li, wa tubb ‘alayya, innaka Antat-Tawwaabur-Rahim. (My Rab! Forgive me and pardon me. Indeed, you are the Oft-Returning with compassion and Ever Merciful.” (Riyadu-s Saliheen).

The recitation of this dua is Sunnah as it was recited by the Holy Prophet (PBUH), he used to recite this 100 times in each sitting. This dua is very beneficial for asking forgiveness from ALLAH almighty. This single dua has two meanings one is asking forgiveness from ALLAH, and the second part of the dua elaborates on the quality of ALLAH that he is very merciful and can forgive our sins.

“‏سبحان الله وبحمده، أستغفر الله، وأتوب إليه”

This dua for ISTAGHFAR is recited as Subhan Allahi wa bihamdihi; Astaghfirullaha wa atubu ilaihi (Allah is free from imperfection, and I begin with praising Him. I beg forgiveness from Allah and I turn to Him in repentance.” (Bukhari and Muslim). This dua was also recited by the Holy Prophet (PBUH). Hazrat Ayesha (RA) mentioned that the Holy Prophet used to recite this dua a lot before his passing away.

The best thing about this dua is that while reciting this dua a Muslim not only requests for forgiveness but also aims to repent from the sins and intent to never do that sin again.

Ø أسْتَغْفِرُ اللهَ رَبي مِنْ كُلِ ذَنبٍ وَأتُوبُ إلَيهِ

The above-mentioned dua is recited as Astaghfirullaha rabbi min kulli zambiyon wa atoobu ilaiyh. Translation: I ask forgiveness of my sins from Allah who is my Lord and I turn towards Him.

This dua is also a reminder that we all have to return to Allah who is the only creator and we seek forgiveness from him for our sins.

Ø لَّآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّآ أَنتَ سُبْحَٰنَكَ إِنِّى كُنتُ مِنَ ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ

The dua is recited as La ilaha illa anta subhanaka inneekuntu mina az’zalimeen. Translation: There is no God but you. Glory be to you. I have indeed been amongst the evildoers.

The dua is very beneficial for repentance also it is a reminder that ALLAH is the only God and we have to return to him. When Hazrat Yousuf (AS) was stuck in whale’s stomach he used to recite this dua and asked forgiveness from ALLAH (SWT) with the help of this dua.

BENEFITS OF ISTIGHFAR:

ISTAGHFAR has so many benefits who did it constantly and make it a habit. Some of the advantages of doing ASTAGHFAR are:

• ISTAGHFAR help in easing the difficulties of people. For those who do ISTAGHFAR, ALLAH helps them in their difficult times. 
• ASTAGHFAR purifies the soul of a person. Anyone who feels a burden on his soul due to his wrongdoing can sense lightness and calmness in his soul by asking forgiveness from ALLAH.
• ISTAGHFAR helps in the increase of provision. If you want ALLAH (SWT) to increase your provisions then you must do ISTAGHFAR. The Holy Quran says:

‘Ask forgiveness from your Lord, verily, He is Oft‑Forgiving;

‘He will send rain to you in abundance,

‘And give you increase in wealth and children, and bestow on you gardens and bestow on you rivers” [71:10-12].

HOW TO DO ISTAGHFAR:

Muslims are obliged to do ISTAGHFAR, but for doing ISTAGHFAR there are some terms and conditions which must be followed. For seeking forgiveness from Allah for your sins and cruelties you must aim that you will not do the same deed or sin again in your life. If you are asking forgiveness from ALLAH and then doing the same sin again and again in your life then your apology to ALLAH (SWT) would not be meaningful. ALLAH is merciful he forgives the person when they are apologetic but that does not mean that the person repeats the same mistake again and again by thinking that ALLAH will forgive him.

Furthermore, the person who wants to seek ALLAH’s forgiveness must be regretful of his deeds. He should feel sorry for his sins and the wrong things he had done in life. True and meaningful repentance helps in pleasing ALLAH and helps in washing away sins.

Intention plays a key role in ISTAGHFAR. A person won’t be forgiven if they have the intention of sinning repeatedly and do not stop themselves from doing anything that can offend Allah.

ALLAH (SWT) says in Holy Quran:

{O you who believe! Repent to God with a most sincere repentance.} (At-Tahrim 66: 8)

POWER OF ISTAGHFAR IN ISLAM:

ISTAGHFAR helps the Muslims in expressing their regrets for their faults and improper conduct. With ISTAGHFAR, they have the choice to keep themselves safe from sins and protect themselves from actions and activities that might make Allah angry. It is a powerful approach to calm you and remove a range of worldly troubles from your body and mind. If we are depressed, it may also benefit us by calming us and lessening our depression.

• Additionally, ISTAGHFAR aids us in avoiding all types of sin. By constantly repeating this, we are reminded that Allah is present everywhere, reducing the chances that we would do any sin. Anxiety is eliminated by ISTAGHFAR, and duas are granted
• ISTAGHFAR unlocks the gate to nourishment. The door of mercy is opened by ISTAGHFAR.
• It increases the chances of acceptance of prayers.
• The door to wisdom is opened by ISTAGHFAR.
• The gateway to productivity is ISTAGHFAR.
• ISTAGHFAR gives you relief. Say “Astaghfirullah” whenever you feel sadness, when you’re upset and frustrated, or when anxiousness is all around you.

The Holy Quran says:

“And whoever does evil, and oppresses his soul, then seeks forgiveness of Allah; he will find Allah to be Forgiving, Merciful.” (4:110)

The Holy Prophet (PBUH) also explained the power of ISTAGHFAR:

“The one who seeks forgiveness from Allah, Allah will open a way out for him from every difficulty and will provide for him from sources he could never have imagined.” (Tirmidhi)

FINAL WORDS:

We as Muslims firmly believe in the Day of Judgment, the day when all Muslims will be answerable to ALLAH for our deeds. We will be asked by the creator of both worlds what we have done in the world we will be answerable to ALLAH (SWT) on that day. We will be sent either to heaven or hell fire depending on our actions. That’s why we must do our best to perform good deeds in this world and to ask forgiveness from ALLAH (SWT) for our sins and unpleasant deeds so that we can prosper on the Day of Judgment. One of the keys that can quickly open a door to Jannah for us is ISTAGHFAR. We become closer to ALLAH by reciting prayers for forgiveness in return, we receive a ticket to Jannah, the loveliest paradise.