Istighfar (استغفار): The Gateway to Divine Mercy and Forgiveness

What Is Istighfar? | Meaning of Astaghfirullah

Istighfar (Arabic: اِسْتِغْفَار) comes from the root word “غ-ف-ر” which means to cover, forgive, or shield. In Islamic terminology, Istighfar means seeking forgiveness from Allah (God) for one’s sins, shortcomings, and mistakes, with sincerity and remorse.

The most commonly used phrase of Istighfar is:

“أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللّٰه” — Astaghfirullah
(Translation: I seek forgiveness from Allah.)

Astaghfirullah Meaning in English

“Astaghfirullah” literally means:

“I ask Allah for forgiveness.”

It is not just a phrase to be uttered but a sincere plea from the heart to Allah for pardon.

Why Is Istighfar Important in Islam?

Allah commands believers to repent and seek forgiveness repeatedly in the Qur’an:

وَ اسْتَغْفِرُوْا رَبَّكُمْ ثُمَّ تُوْبُوْۤا اِلَیْهِؕ- اِنَّ رَبِّیْ رَحِیْمٌ وَّدُوْدٌ

“And seek forgiveness of your Lord and repent to Him. Indeed, my Lord is Merciful and Loving.”

(Surah Hud, 11:90)

Repentance Verses in the Quran

Here are a few key repentance verses from the Qur’an:

1. Surah Az-Zumar (39:53):

قُلْ یٰعِبَادِیَ الَّذِیْنَ اَسْرَفُوْا عَلٰۤى اَنْفُسِهِمْ لَا تَقْنَطُوْا مِنْ رَّحْمَةِ اللّٰهِؕ- اِنَّ اللّٰهَ یَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوْبَ جَمِیْعًاؕ -اِنَّهٗ هُوَ الْغَفُوْرُ الرَّحِیْمُ

“Say, ‘O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins.”

2. Surah At-Tahrim (66:8):

یٰۤاَیُّهَا الَّذِیْنَ اٰمَنُوْا تُوْبُوْۤا اِلَى اللّٰهِ تَوْبَةً نَّصُوْحاؕ-

“O you who have believed, repent to Allah with sincere repentance (tawbatun nasuha).”

How to Repent to Allah (God)?

If you’re wondering how to repent to God or how to repent from your sins, here is a simple guide:

Steps of True Repentance (Tawbah):

1. Stop the sin immediately.
2. Feel sincere regret and remorse.
3. Make a firm intention never to return to the sin.
4. Ask forgiveness from Allah (Istighfar).
5. If the sin involved others’ rights, return what is due or seek their forgiveness.

How to Repent to Allah from Zina (fornication/adultery)?

Follow the same steps with intense sincerity. Allah’s mercy encompasses even the gravest of sins.

Most Powerful Istighfar Duas (Supplications)

1. Sayyidul Istighfar سَيِّدُ الاِسْتِغْفَارِ (The Master of Istighfar):

The Prophet (ﷺ) said “The most superior way of asking for forgiveness from Allah is:

“اَللّٰهُمَّ اَنْتَ رَبِّي، لَا اِلٰهَ اِلَّااَنْتَ، خَلَقْتَنِي وَاَنَا عَبْدُكَ، وَاَنَا عَلٰى عَهْدِكَ وَوَعْدِكَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُ، اَعُوْذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا صَنَعْتُ، اَبُوءُ لَكَ بِنِعْمَتِكَ عَلٰى وَاَبُوءُ لَكَ بِذَنْبِي، فَاغْفِرْ لِي، فَاِنَّهُ لَا يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوْبَ اِلَّا اَنْتَ”

“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”

English Translation:

“O Allah, You are my Lord, there is none worthy of worship except You. You have created me, and I am Your servant, and I am faithful to Your covenant and promise as much as I can. I seek refuge in You from the evil of what I have done. I acknowledge Your blessings upon me, and I admit my sins. So forgive me, for none forgives sins except You.”

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 is known as the Sayyidul Istighfar, best dua for astaghfar.

2. Astaghfirullah Rabbi Min Kulli Zambiyon Wa Atubu Ilaih

Arabic:

اَسْتَغْفِرُ اللّٰهَ رَبِّيْ مِنْ كُلِّ ذَنْبٍ وَاَتُوبُ إِلَيْهِ

Meaning in English:

“I seek forgiveness from Allah, my Lord, for all of my sins, and I turn to Him in repentance.”

3. Astaghfirullah Wa Atubu Ilaih

Arabic:

اَسْتَغْفِرُ اللّٰهَ وَاَتُوبُ إِلَيْهِ

Meaning:

“I ask Allah for forgiveness and I turn to Him in repentance.”

4. Other Common Duas & Variants

• Astaghfirullah Rabbi Wa Atubu Ilaih.
• Astaghfirullah Hal Azim.
• Astaghfar Ki Dua / Duain / Tasbeeh / Prayer.

Commonly recited 100 times after Salah or before sleeping.

Istighfar of the Prophets

Istighfar of Nabi Ibrahim (AS)

Prophet Ibrahim (AS) is recorded in the Qur’an as seeking forgiveness for his father:

“And [mention] when Abraham said, ‘My Lord, forgive me and my parents and the believers the Day the account is established.”

(Surah Ibrahim, 14:41)

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and Istighfar

The Prophet ﷺ said:

“By Allah, I seek Allah’s forgiveness and repent to Him more than seventy times a day.”

(Sahih al-Bukhari 6307)

Does Allah Forgive Every Sin? What Is the One Unforgivable Sin in Islam?

The One Sin That Will Not Be Forgiven If Not Repentant For is Shirk

“Indeed, Allah does not forgive association with Him (shirk), but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills.”

Surah An-Nisa (4:48)

In Islam, shirk—which means associating partners with Allah—is considered the gravest sin, and Allah has declared that it will not be forgiven if a person dies without repenting from it.

This answers one of the most commonly searched questions:

What sin is not forgiven in Islam?

Answer: Shirk, if one dies without repenting.

Hadith: Allah Forgives All Sins Except Shirk

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ narrated that Allah says:

“O son of Adam, if you were to come to Me with sins filling the earth, and then meet Me without associating anything with Me, I would bring you forgiveness as great as it.”

(Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 3540 – Sahih)

This authentic Hadith powerfully conveys the hope and mercy of Allah. Even if your sins are as massive as the earth, Allah will forgive you — if you repent and do not associate partners with Him.

1. Erases Sins:
   “Indeed, good deeds remove bad deeds…” (Qur’an 11:114)
2. Brings Rain & Sustenance:
   In Surah Nuh (71:10-12), Prophet Nuh (AS) says:
   “Ask forgiveness of your Lord. He is ever forgiving. He will send rain… increase wealth and children…”
3. Opens Doors of Mercy:
   The more we say Astaghfirullah, the more Allah opens the doors of peace, healing, and barakah.
4. Protection from Punishment:
   “And Allah would not punish them while they seek forgiveness.” (Qur’an 8:33)

How to Perform Istighfar Prayer?

Istighfar prayer is not a distinct prayer, but many scholars recommend offering two rak’ahs of voluntary prayer followed by a sincere dua and Istighfar.

How to Ask for Forgiveness from Allah?

• Say Astaghfirullah with sincerity.
• Make duas using the Prophet’s words.
• Use the best times for forgiveness: the last third of the night, between adhan & iqamah, and on Fridays.

Commonly Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: How many times should I say Astaghfirullah?

A: At least 100 times daily, as done by the Prophet ﷺ.

Q2: Is there a best time for Istighfar?

A: Yes, especially during Tahajjud, after Salah, and before Fajr.

Q3: What is the difference between Toba and Istighfar?

A: Toba is repentance (a turning back to Allah), while Istighfar is the act of seeking forgiveness with words.

Q4: Can I repent from major sins like zina or addiction?

A: Absolutely. Allah promises forgiveness for all sins, even the greatest, if one sincerely repents.

Q5: What is the pronunciation of Astaghfirullah?

A: It’s pronounced: As-tag-fir-ul-lah.

The Power of Repentance and Seeking Forgiveness

Whether you’re searching for how to repent to God, looking for the best Astaghfar dua, or want to know the meaning of Astaghfirullah in English, the answer lies in humble sincerity. Allah’s mercy outweighs His wrath, and no sin is too big for His forgiveness.

“So seek forgiveness of Him, and turn to Him in repentance. Indeed, my Lord is near and responsive.”

(Qur’an 11:61)

Let the phrase Astaghfirullah be your key to healing, hope, and peace. Start today. Start now.