Duas for Istighfar with explanations
Istighfar, the act of seeking forgiveness from Allah s.w.t., is an essential practice in our daily lives, as it serves as a humbling reminder of our dependence on our Creator’s mercy for our countless imperfections. Indeed, our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) urged us to engage in Istighfar, emphasizing that he himself sought Allah’s forgiveness more than seventy times a day. This profound practice not only purifies our hearts but also strengthens the spiritual bond between us and Allah s.w.t., reinforcing our faith in His boundless mercy and compassion.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “By Allah! I ask for forgiveness from Allah and turn to Him in repentance more than seventy times a day.” (Sahih Bukhari 6307).
Sahih Bukhari
This demonstrates the profound importance of asking for Divine forgiveness and turning in repentance to Allah s.w.t. in our lives, a sentiment which this beautiful dua embodies.
May the act of Istighfar become our habitual practice, a source of comfort, hope and a means to seek our Lord’s pleasure. May Allah s.w.t. accept our repentance, forgive our sins, and guide us to the path of righteousness. Ameen.
Duas for Istighfar
اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ رَبِّي لا إِلَهَ إِلا أَنْتَ، خَلَقْتَنِي وَأَنَا عَبْدُكَ، وَأَنَا عَلَى عَهْدِكَ وَوَعْدِكَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُ، أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا صَنَعْتُ، أَبُوءُ لَكَ بِنِعْمَتِكَ عَلَيَّ، وَأَبُوءُ لَكَ بِذَنْبِي، فَاغْفِرْ لِي، فَإِنَّهُ لا يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلا أَنْتَ
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 bidhanbi faghfirli innahu la yaghfiru adhdhunuba illa anta
“O Allah (SWT), You are my Lord, there is no god but You. You created me and I am Your servant, and I am upon Your covenant and Your 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 confess my sins to You. So forgive me, for there is no one who forgives sins but You.”
This dua is known as “Sayyidul Istighfar,” also known as the “Chief of Repentance,” is an important Arabic invocation taught by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) for seeking Allah’s forgiveness. This specific supplication holds great merit due to the comprehensive admission of our servanthood to Allah s.w.t. and the acknowledgment of His infinite mercy and our dependency on it.
Source: Sunan Ibn Majah
Dua for Istighfar
اللّهُـمَّ اغْـفِرْ لي ما قَدَّمْـتُ وَما أَخَّرْت ، وَما أَسْـرَرْتُ وَما أَعْلَـنْت ، وَما أَسْـرَفْت ، وَما أَنْتَ أَعْـلَمُ بِهِ مِنِّي . أَنْتَ المُقَـدِّمُ، وَأَنْتَ المُـؤَخِّـرُ لا إِلهَ إِلاّ أَنْـت
Transliteration:
Allahumma ighfir li ma qaddamtu wa ma akhkhart, wa ma asrartu wa ma a’lamt, wa ma asraft, wa ma anta a’lamu bihi minni. Anta al-Muqaddimu, wa anta al-Mu’akhkhiru la ilaha illa ant.
Translation:
O Allah, forgive me what I have sent forward and what I have held back, what I have hidden and what I have made known, what I have transgressed and what You know better than me. You are the One who sends forward and You are the One who holds back, there is no deity except You.
Dua for Istighfar
اللّهُـمَّ إِنِّـي ظَلَـمْتُ نَفْسـي ظُلْمـاً كَثـيراً وَلا يَغْـفِرُ الذُّنـوبَ إِلاّ أَنْت ، فَاغْـفِر لي مَغْـفِرَةً مِنْ عِنْـدِك وَارْحَمْـني، إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ الغَـفورُ الرَّحـيم
Transliteration:
Allahumma inni zalamtu nafsi zulman kathiran, wa la yaghfirudh-dhunuba illa anta, faghfir li maghfiratan min ‘indika, war-hamni, innaka antal Ghafur-ur-Rahim.
Translation:
O Allah, I have greatly wronged myself and no one forgives sins but You. So, grant me forgiveness and have mercy on me. Surely, You are the Forgiving, the Merciful.
Dua for Istighfar
أسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ الْعَظِيمَ الَّذِي لا إِلَهَ إِلا هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ وَأَتُوبُ إِلَيْهِ
Astaghfirullah al-‘Azim al-ladhi la ilaha illa huwa al-Hayy al-Qayyum wa atubu ilayh)
“I seek forgiveness from Allah (SWT), the Mighty, there is no god but Him, the Living, the Eternal, and I repent to Him.”
Explanation: This dua is a way of seeking forgiveness from Allah (SWT) by acknowledging His might and power, and repenting for the sins committed.
Dua for Istighfar
رَبَّنَا ظَلَمْنَا أَنْفُسَنَا وَإِنْ لَمْ تَغْفِرْ لَنَا وَتَرْحَمْنَا لَنَكُونَنَّ مِنَ الْخَاسِرِينَ
Rabbana thalamna anfusana wa in lam taghfir lana wa tarhamna lanakunanna mina al-khasirin
“Our Lord, we have wronged ourselves, and if You do not forgive us and have mercy upon us, we will surely be among the losers.” [Quran 7:23]
Explanation: This dua is taken directly from the Quran and is a supplication seeking forgiveness from Allah (SWT) for the sins committed.
Dua for Istighfar
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ العَفْوَ وَالعَافِيَةَ فِي دِينِي وَدُنْيَايَ وَأَهْلِي وَمَالِي. اللَّهُمَّ اسْتُرْ عَوْرَاتِي وَآمِنْ رَوْعَاتِي، اللَّهُمَّ حَفِّظْنِي مِنْ بَيْنِ يَدَيَّ، وَمِنْ خَلْفِي، وَعَنْ يَمِينِي، وَعَنْ شِمَالِي، وَمِنْ فَوْقِي، وَأَعُوذُ بِعَظَمَتِكَ أَنْ أُغْتَالَ مِنْ تَحْتِي.
Allahumma inni asaluka al-afwu wal-‘afiyah fi dini wa dunyaya wa ahli wa maali. Allahumma istur ‘awrati wa amin raw’ati, Allahumma hfadhni min bayni yadaiya, wa min khalfi, wa ‘an yameeni, wa ‘an shimali, wa min fawqi, wa ‘audhu bi ‘azamatika an ughtala min tahti.
Translation: O Allah, I ask You for forgiveness and well-being in my religion, my worldly matters, my family, and my wealth. O Allah, cover my shortcomings and secure me from anxiety. O Allah, protect me from all directions – from the front, the back, the right, the left, and from above. I seek refuge in Your greatness from being overpowered from beneath.
Dua for Istighfar
سُبْحَانَكَ اللَّهُمَّ وَبِحَمْدِكَ، أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لا إِلَهَ إِلا أَنْتَ، أَسْتَغْفِرُكَ وَأَتُوبُ إِلَيْكَ
Subhanaka Allahumma wa bihamdik, ash-hadu an la ilaha illa anta, astaghfiruka wa atubu ilayk
Glory be to You, O Allah and I praise You. I bear witness that there is no god but You. I seek forgiveness from You and repent to You.”
Explanation: This dua is a way of praising Allah (SWT) and seeking His forgiveness while acknowledging His oneness and power.
Dua for Istighfar
رَبِّ اغْفِرْ وَارْحَمْ وَأَنْتَ خَيْرُ الرَّاحِمِينَ
Rabbi ighfir warham wa anta khayru ar-rahimin
“My Lord, forgive and have mercy, for You are the best of those who show mercy.” [Quran 23:118]
Explanation: This dua is a way of seeking forgiveness and mercy from Allah (SWT) while acknowledging His ultimate power and mercy.
