Abu Hurairah reported that the Prophet (PBUH) said, “Even if you were to sin until your sins reach the heavens, if you then repent, your repentance will be accepted.”
In the Quran, Allah SWT has said that humankind has been created weak. This weakness makes us prone to many errors and mistakes throughout the day. Whether old or young, every Muslim commits sin without even knowing. However, what really matters is our return to Allah SWT every time we go down a wrong path.
It is the repentance and acknowledgment of our sins that help us grow closer to our Lord and achieve steadfastness when tempted by the devil. Keeping this in mind, this blog will delve deeper into the concept of astaghfar, what the Quran and hadiths state about it, and the different ways to do astaghfar.
What Is Astaghfar?
Astaghfar is an Arabic word that means ‘seeking forgiveness’ or ‘seeking mercy.’ It is used by Muslims to seek forgiveness from Allah SWT. The concept of astaghfar is greatly emphasized throughout the Quran and Sunnah. It teaches Muslims accountability and humility and ensures that each Muslim remembers the mercy of Allah towards the ummah.
Astaghfar In The Scriptures
In The Quran
There are numerous verses in the Quran that highlight the importance of astaghfar in a Muslim’s life. While some state how forgiving our Lord is, others talk about the effects of astaghfar in this life and the hereafter. Such as,
Allah says, “O My slaves who have been prodigal to their own hurt! Despair not of the mercy of Allah, Who forgiveth all sins. Lo! He is the Forgiving, the Merciful.”
In The Hadiths
Similarly, several hadiths underscore the importance of astaghfar. One hadith even states that the Prophet PBUH used to ask for forgiveness 100 times a day. Other hadiths state the blessings one receives when he does astaghfar and what effects it has on his character. Such as,
Anas narrated that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “All children of Adam make mistakes, and the best among those who make mistakes are those who seek forgiveness.”
[Sunan Ibn Majah 4251]
Preparing For Astaghfar
Just like a person prepares themselves before a big game or event, there are certain steps that should be followed before asking for forgiveness. These steps ensure that a person doesn’t repeat the duas or acts for astaghfar without any intention and is fully present while asking for forgiveness.
- Make a sincere intention of asking for forgiveness either out loud or silently.
- Feel the regret in your heart and think about the consequence of the sin.
- Make a sincere promise to not repeat the sin.
- Ask for forgiveness by either reciting a dua or performing a certain act.
How To Do Astaghfar?
There are several ways to do astaghfar. From duas to certain acts that help attain the mercy of Allah, Muslims can include many habits in their daily routine that will help them strengthen their relationship with Allah.
Duas For Astaghfar
Dua 01 [Quran 7:23]
رَبَّنَا ظَلَمْنَآ أَنفُسَنَا وَإِن لَّمْ تَغْفِرْ لَنَا وَتَرْحَمْنَا لَنَكُونَنَّ مِنَ ٱلْخَـٰسِرِينَ
Transliteration:
“Rabbanaa zalamnaaa anfusanaa wa illam taghfir lanaa wa tarhamnaa lanakoonanna minal khaasireen.”
Translation:
“Our Lord! We have wronged ourselves. If thou forgive us not and have not mercy on us, surely we are of the lost!”
This dua was revealed by Allah SWT to Prophet Adam AS after he and his wife ate from the forbidden tree. This dua reminds a person that even the first Muslims, who lived in Paradise and were far removed from evil, faced temptation from Shaytan. However, as long as we seek forgiveness, Allah SWT’s door remains wide open.
Dua 2 [Quran 21:87]
لَّآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّآ أَنتَ سُبْحَـٰنَكَ إِنِّى كُنتُ مِنَ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ
Transliteration:
“laaa ilaaha illaaa Anta Subhaanaka innee kuntu minaz zaalimeen.”
Translation:
“There is no God save Thee. Be Thou glorified! Lo! I have been a wrongdoer
This was the dua of Prophet Yunus AS after he found himself trapped in the belly of a whale for leaving his people in anger. It is important to continuously recite this dua and remember Allah’s mercy. If Allah could bring a Prophet out of the belly of a whale unharmed and perfectly fine, it is reasonable to believe He will listen to the supplications of others as well.
Dua 3 [Sahih al-Bukhari 6306]
اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ رَبِّي، لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ أَنْتَ، خَلَقْتَنِي وَأَنَا عَبْدُكَ، وَأَنَا عَلَى عَهْدِكَ وَوَعْدِكَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُ، أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا صَنَعْتُ، أَبُوءُ لَكَ بِنِعْمَتِكَ عَلَىَّ وَأَبُوءُ لَكَ بِذَنْبِي، فَاغْفِرْ لِي، فَإِنَّهُ لاَ يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلاَّ أَنْتَ ”
Transliteration:
“Allahumma anta Rabbi la ilaha illa anta, Khalaqtani wa ana `Abduka, wa ana `ala `ahdika wa wa`dika mastata`tu, A`udhu bika min Sharri ma sana`tu, abu’u Laka bini`matika `alaiya, wa abu’u laka bidhanbi faghfir lee fa innahu la yaghfiru adhdhunuba illa anta.”
Translation:
“The meaning of the allahumma anta rabbi dua is, “O Allah! You are my Rubb. There is no true god except You. You have created me, and I am Your slave, and I hold to Your Covenant as far as I can. I seek refuge in You from the evil of what I have done. I acknowledge the favors that You have bestowed upon me, and I confess my sins. Pardon me, for none but You have the power to pardon.”
The Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) stated that anyone who recites this with sincere faith during the day and then dies before evening will be among the people of paradise. Similarly, if someone recites it at night with firm belief and passes away before morning, they will also be among the people of paradise.
Dua 4 [Sunan Abi Dawud 1517]
أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ الَّذِي لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ هُوَ الْحَىُّ الْقَيُّومُ وَأَتُوبُ إِلَيْهِ
Transliteration:
“Astagfirullah-Al-lazi la ilaha illa Huwa Al-Hayyul-Qayyum wa atubu ilaih.”
Translation:
“I ask pardon of Allah, than Whom there is no deity, the living, the eternal, and I turn to Him in repentance.”
A hadith states that if a person recites this dua, Allah will forgive him even if he runs away from the battle.
Acts For Astaghfar
Praying Salat e Tawbah
“Anyone who commits a sin, then performs a proper ablution and prays two Rak’ah, and subsequently seeks forgiveness from Allah, will surely be forgiven by Allah.”
Salat e Tawbah (prayer of repentance) is a two-rakat prayer observed by the Prophet Muhammad PBUH. A Muslim can perform this prayer whenever they are repenting. This prayer can be performed at any time, even when prayer is disallowed.
Praying Tahajjud
“Allah says: Who is looking for my forgiveness so that I may grant it to them?”
Tahajjud is one of the best optional prayers that a person can perform. The dua made at tahajjud is extremely effective and establishes an intimate connection with the Lord.
Spending In The Way Of Allah
The Messenger of Allah stated, “Charity truly cools the anger of the Lord and serves as a safeguard against a bad death.”
Charity is one of the most emphasized good deeds in Islam. Not only does it help to distinguish Allah’s anger, but it also removes stress from a Muslim’s life. It protects against all kinds of calamities and brings blessings and barakah. One can do charity in numerous ways, such as giving needy people food or donating clothes to a shelter.