In our journey of life, we often find ourselves burdened by mistakes, regrets, and weight of sins. According to Islam, the act of forgiveness–Istighfar– is a profound way to seek Allah’s blessings, cleanse the soul, and remove obstacles from our path. In short, Istighfar is the key to allowing countless blessings to enter your life.
Understanding Istighfar:
Istighfar is an Arabic word derived from Ghafr—which means to cover and protect. Istighfar is asking Allah for protection and support. It involves sincerely seeking Allah’s forgiveness, acknowledging our shortcomings, and committing to personal reform. The common phrase Astaghfirullah means” i seek forgiveness from Allah”.
Importance of Istighfar:
Here are some Istighfar benefits that highlight its importance in the life of a believer:
1. Forgiveness of sins:
Regulary seeking Istighfar helps to erase sins as, Allah is Most Forgiving and Most Kind.
Narrated Abdullah ibn Abbas:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: If anyone continually asks pardon, Allah will appoint for him a way out of every distress, and a relief from every anxiety, and will provide for him from where he did not reckon.
This means Istighfar opens the doors of blessings and is a way to ease your difficulties.
2. Relief from distress:
Istighfar serves as a gateway to relief and happiness. It removes anxiety and opens doors to answered prayers. As it cleanses your soul, it eases the way to Ibadah and helps you gain spiritual enlightenment.
3. Increase in sustenence:
Seeking forgiveness can lead to increase in provision, wealth and offspring. Prophet NUH عَلَیهِالسَّلام advised his people, as Quran says:
“Saying, ‘Seek your Lord’s forgiveness, ˹for˺ He is truly Most Forgiving. He will shower you with abundant rain, supply you with wealth and children, and give you gardens as well as rivers.” (Quran 71:10-12)
3. Protection from punishment:
Allah says in the Quran;
“But Allah would never punish them while you ˹O Prophet˺ were in their midst. Nor would He ever punish them if they prayed for forgiveness.” (Quran 8:33)
4. Increase Iman (FAITH):
Istighfar strengthens the Iman and brings us closer to Allah.
‘Abdullah bin Busr said that: the Prophet (صَلَّى ٱللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ) said: “Glad tidings to those who find a lot of seeking forgiveness in the record of their deeds.”
How to incorporate Istighfar into daily life:
- Consistency: Incorporate Istighfar into your daily life especially after prayers and before sleeping.
- Set a goal: Set a goal and track it daily. Check how much you have recited and record it in a worksheet, this will help you notice your progress and stay motivated to aim for a bigger target.
- Track your progress: Keep a record of your progress and notice positive changes in your life. Write them down as these blessings from Allah can be a source of motivation for you to continue.
Istighfar Dua:
The best way to seek forgiveness from Allah is by reciting Sayyidul Istighfar:
اَللّٰهُمَّ أَنْتَ رَبِّيْ لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ ، خَلَقْتَنِيْ وَأَنَا عَبْدُكَ ، وَأَنَا عَلَىٰ عَهْدِكَ وَوَعْدِكَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُ ، أَعُوْذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا صَنَعْتُ ، أَبُوْءُ لَكَ بِنِعْمَتِكَ عَلَيَّ وَأَبُوْءُ لَكَ بِذَنْبِيْ ، فَاغْفِرْ لِيْ فَإِنَّهُ لَا يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوْبَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ
“O Allah, You are my Lord. There is no god worthy of worship except You. You have created me, and I am Your slave, and I am under Your covenant and pledge (to fulfil it) to the best of my ability. I seek Your protection from the evil that I have done. I acknowledge the favours that You have bestowed upon me, and I admit my sins. Forgive me, for none forgives sins but You.”
Narrated Shaddad bin Aus: The Prophet (ﷺ) said “The most superior way of asking for forgiveness from Allah is: ‘Allahumma anta Rabbi la ilaha illa anta, Khalaqtani wa ana Abduka, wa anaala ahdika wa wadika mastatatu, Audhu bika min Sharri ma sanatu, abu'u Laka binimatika `alaiya, wa abu’u laka bidhanbi faghfir lee fa innahu la yaghfiru adhdhunuba illa anta.” The Prophet (ﷺ) added. “If somebody recites it during the day with firm faith in it, and dies on the same day before the evening, he will be from the people of Paradise; and if somebody recites it at night with firm faith in it, and dies before the morning, he will be from the people of Paradise.”
Sahih al-Bukhari 6306
This powerful dua brings forgiveness and guarantees Jannah, so make it a part of your daily routine.
Power of Istighfar:
If you want to open the door of blessings, peace and tranquility, then start reciting Istighfar from today. It can bring happiness, sustenance, wealth, success, progress, stronger faith, radiance on face as it enlightens the soul. Ultimately, it is a one-way solution to all your problems.
Moreover, it is also a good source of Allah’s mercy in hereafter. So, what are you waiting for? Start incorporating Istighfar today and embark on a blessed journey of spiritual growth.
Our Recommendation:
Start Istighfar tasbih by reciting 11 times Durood Shareef and then 100 times Istighfar and then 11 times Durood Sharif daily. Make it a habit. This simple yet powerful habit strengthens your connection with Allah. You can always increase the count based on your capacity and routine. Key is—consistency, and experience it’s transformative power in your life.
Istighfar challenge worksheet:
21-day istighfar challenge:
We have an idea—let’s start a Istighfar 21-day challenge. Recite it daily almost 313 times daily and track your progress in our downloadable worksheet. Commit to this practice with a strong belief, and watch as blessings unfold and problems disappear, InshaAllah!
Many people have experienced life changing miracles through Istighfar. Here are comments of two Reddit users who have shared insights about—how istighfar solved their problems.
“I’m physically and mentally very.. very.. Tough person.
But was Stuck in a Position which could ruin my whole life,
at that moment, couldn’t think of anything else & i remembered my mum teaching me about İstighfar, to recite it if I’m stuck in hardship,
so i started reciting Astaghfirullah, and İnstantly At that very moment i saw the Problem/ that horrible situation which looked absolutely impossible vanish in thin air, in front of my very eyes Alhamdulillah.
ALLAH SWT saved me because of my İstighfar”
A—Reddit user.
“Istighfar makes us closer to Allah,I used to see so many miracles stories in Instagram so I started reciting 4 months back and Alhamdulillah I can see lots of positive changes in myself, I also started praying tahajjud, regularly reciting Quran, adhkar etc. I don’t feel stressed, no anxiety now Alhamdulillah I’m waiting for many prayers to be accepted In sha Allah”
Another—Reddit user.
So, who is ready to start this challenge. Share in the comment section below. Download the worksheet and start reciting.
Let’s recite together and share your experience in comment section below.
Let’ss make Istighfar a constant part of our life and witness its transformative power. Keep saying Astaghfirullah and feel peace it brings!!!.
#istighfar challenge #power of istighfar #313 times istighfar.