Islam is the religion of peace and love that provide its follower’s complete guideline on how to live a meaningful life. Istighfar is also known as Astaghfirullah is the act of seeking forgiveness from Allah. Perfection is only the quality of Almighty Allah. Human beings were always flawed and they did commit sins. Istighfar is seen as portraying the strength and support of Allah which leads to attaining closeness to Allah and redemption. Allah says:
رَّبُّكُمْ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا فِي نُفُوسِكُمْ إِن تَكُونُوا صَالِحِينَ فَإِنَّهُ كَانَ لِلْأَوَّابِينَ غَفُورًا
“Your Lord (is) most knowing of what (is) in yourselves. If you are righteous, then indeed, He is to those who often turn (to Hi Most Forgiving.” (Surah Al-Isra 17:25)
Istighfar means to get strength from Allah to refrain from sin and evil and to be able to display this strength to refrain from sin. We should always seek forgiveness from Almighty Allah as He is The Most Merciful. Istighfar removes anxiety and duas are answered. Istighfar opens the door of sustenance. Istighfar opens the door of mercy.
Allah Almighty is so Kind, Loving, Caring and Merciful here are some benefits of Istighfar:
- Istighfar is also a means of building up that awareness of Allah
- Istighfar regularly saying reminds us that Allah is everywhere
- Istighfar will provide us with the strength to get over it
- Istighfar also helps us to refrain from all forms of sins
- Istighfar provides sustenance by seeking forgiveness
- Istighfar promises us that we will be given paradise
- Istighfar strengthening our relationship with Allah
- Istighfar is the recipient of countless blessings
- Istighfar is one of the righteous deeds
- Istighfar opens the door of Mercy
- Istighfar saying get more spirit and strength
- Istighfar constantly purify and cleanse our heart
- Istighfar regular saying will be forgiven by Allah
- Istighfar increase in wealth, children and pleasure
- Istighfar regularly to give a good life continuously
- Istighfar could relief in this world and in the hereafter
- If we are struggling with heartbreak, let us make Istighfar
- Muslim who always does Istighfar will be happy in his life
- One should make Istighfar, Allah will give him/her strength
- Those who repent with a sincere heart will not be punished
- Istighfar, improve ourselves by staying away from bad deeds
- Istighfar gives us wealth and children after having forgiveness
The Prophet Solomon (PBUH) started his dua while making Istighfar to Allah. We turn to no one except Allah in repentance. We confess our deepest errors, shortcomings, failures, and sins to Him and we ask forgiveness from Him alone by doing Istighfar. Allah says:
قَالَ رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي وَهَبْ لِي مُلْكًا لَّا يَنبَغِي لِأَحَدٍ مِّن بَعْدِي إِنَّكَ أَنتَ الْوَهَّابُ
“My Lord, forgive me and grant me a kingdom such as will not belong to anyone after me. Indeed, You are the Bestower.” (Surah Sad, 38:35)
Allah Almighty is promising us that wealth comes with Istighfar, as do children. Istighfar will open the doors that have been closed until today. Wealth and children come from Allah and it is in turning to Him that we will get them, not in turning away from Him. So it means Istighfar is the gateway to productivity.
Allah Almighty says in The Holy Quran:
- “And give you increase in wealth and children.” (Quran, 71:12)
- “And Allah would not punish them while they seek forgiveness.” (Quran, 8:33)
- “He will send [rain from] the sky upon you in [continuing] showers.” (Quran, 71:11)
- “Ask forgiveness of your Lord. Indeed, He is ever a Perpetual Forgiver.” (Quran, 71:10)
- “Truly, Allah loves those who repent, and He loves those who cleanse themselves.” (Quran, 2:222)
- “…ask forgiveness of your Lord and then repent to Him. He will send [rain from] the sky upon you in showers and increase you in strength [added] to your strength.” (Quran, 11:52)
- “Seek forgiveness of your Lord and repent to Him, [and] He will let you enjoy a good provision for a specified term and give every doer of favour His favour.” (Quran, 11:3)
We need Istighfar to constantly purify and cleanse our hearts. We are not born in sin, but we are born in weakness. We are prostrate to fall prey to the many fascinations that are part of our test in this life. And when we fall in these provocations and commit sins it takes us far away from our Lord. But there is hope for those who want to seek forgiveness from Almighty Allah and the best is by doing Istighfar. Allah says:
وَمَا كَانَ اللَّهُ لِيُعَذِّبَهُمْ وَأَنتَ فِيهِمْ وَمَا كَانَ اللَّهُ مُعَذِّبَهُمْ وَهُمْ يَسْتَغْفِرُونَ
“But not is (for) Allah that He punishes them while you (are) among them, and not is Allah the One Who punishes them while they seek forgiveness.” (Surah Al-Anfal, 8:33)
The one who does Istighfar and admits his weakness to Allah becomes nearer to Him. May Allah give us the strength to seek forgiveness of our sins that we did and also give us the strength to do righteous deeds, Ameen!
