Istighfar is also known as Astaghfirullah is the act of seeking forgiveness from Allah. We ask forgiveness from Allah by repeating the Arabic words Astaghfirullah, which means “I seek forgiveness from Allah.”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. Allah says:
آخِذِينَ مَا آتَاهُمْ رَبُّهُمْ إِنَّهُمْ كَانُوا قَبْلَ ذَٰلِكَ مُحْسِنِينَ
“Taking what their Lord has given them. Indeed, they were before that good-doers.” (Surah Adh-Dhariyat, 51:16)
Istighfar (Astaghfirullah) is the gateway of relief and happiness. Whenever you are in distress start reciting it (with sincerity) and Insha Allah it will take you out of your anxiety and will put you in a peaceful situation. Istighfar removes anxiety and duas are answered. Istighfar opens the door of sustenance. Istighfar opens the door of mercy. Istighfar opens the door of knowledge. Istighfar is also a gateway to productivity. Istighfar relieves you. Allah says:
ثُمَّ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ لِلَّذِينَ عَمِلُوا السُّوءَ بِجَهَالَةٍ ثُمَّ تَابُوا مِن بَعْدِ ذَٰلِكَ وَأَصْلَحُوا إِنَّ رَبَّكَ مِن بَعْدِهَا لَغَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
“Your Lord for those who do evil (commit sins and are disobedient to Allâh) in ignorance and afterwards repent and do righteous deeds, verily, your Lord thereafter, (to such) is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (Surah An-Nahl 16:119)
When you feel that sadness within you when you are disturbed and frustrated when anxiety surrounds you, say “Astaghfirullah” “Astaghfirullah”…Reciting Astaghfirullah is an effective method of calming ourselves and wipes away the variety of worldly worries from our mind and body. It may also help us, if we are suffering from depression, it calms us and lessens our depression.
Benefits of Istighfar From the Holy Quran:
- Ask forgiveness of your Lord. Indeed, He is ever a Perpetual Forgiver. (Quran 71:10)
- He will send [rain from] the sky upon you in [continuing] showers. (Quran 71:11)
- And give you an increase in wealth and children. (Quran 71:12)
- … and provide for your gardens and provide for your rivers. (Quran 71:12)
- …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)
- And Allah would not punish them while they seek forgiveness. (Quran 8:33)
- My Lord, forgive me and grant me a kingdom such as will not belong to anyone after me. Indeed, You are the Bestower. (Quran 38:35)
- “And that “Seek forgiveness (of) your Lord and turn in repentance to Him, He will let you enjoy a good for a term appointed. And give (to) every owner (of) grace His Grace. But if you turn away then indeed, I fear for you (the) punishment (of) a Great Day.”(Quran, 11:3)
- “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.”(Quran, 8:33)
- The gateway of relief and happiness.
- Declare (O Muhammad SAW) unto My slaves, that truly, I am the Oft-Forgiving, the Most-Merciful. (Al-Hijr 15:49)
- And verily, I am indeed Forgiving to him who repents, believes (in My Oneness, and associates none in worship with Me) and does righteous good deeds, and then remains constant in doing them, (till his death). (Ta-Ha 20:82)
Let us see the benefits and virtues of reciting this simple beautiful supplication Insha Allah:
- Istighfar creates a situation and will give you happiness
- Istighfar is a Dignity (Grace) from Almighty Allah
- Istighfar is also a gateway to productivity
- Istighfar Give Joy and Rizq to the Prayer
- Istighfar opens the door of sustenance
- Istighfar opens the door of mercy
- Istighfar one can improve himself
- Istighfar opens the door of knowledge
- Istighfar removes anxiety and duas are answered
- Whenever you are in distress start reciting it and Insha Allah
- Istighfar (Astaghfirullah) is the gateway of relief and happiness
- Istighfar will take you out of your anxiety and will put you in a peaceful
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)
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. Scholars say that one of the ways of having our dues answered is by making istighfar first and then seeking from Allah. May Allah gives us the strength to seek forgiveness of our sins that we did and also give us the strength to do righteous deeds, Ameen!
