Daily remembrance
Istighfar – The Meaning and Virtue of Seeking Forgiveness
Understand Istighfar, the practice of seeking Allah's forgiveness, with authentic wording, Quranic guidance and a practical daily routine.
What is Istighfar?
Istighfar means asking Allah for forgiveness. It is more than repeating a phrase: sincere repentance includes regret for the wrong, stopping it, resolving not to return and restoring the rights of other people when applicable.
Allah says in the Quran that He is forgiving to whoever repents and corrects their conduct. Never let shame prevent a person from returning to Him.
Simple forms of remembrance
Say Astaghfirullah — I seek forgiveness from Allah — with attention and sincerity. The Prophet ﷺ sought forgiveness more than seventy times a day (Sahih al-Bukhari 6307).
- Astaghfirullah wa atubu ilayh
- Sayyid al-Istighfar, the master supplication for forgiveness (Sahih al-Bukhari 6306)
- Rabbighfir li wa tub alayya innaka antat-Tawwabur-Rahim (Sunan Abi Dawud 1516)
Build a consistent habit
Attach Istighfar to an existing routine such as after Salah, during a walk or before sleep. Do not turn a voluntary count into a measure of another person's faith; consistency, honesty and changed conduct are the heart of repentance.