In the rush of life, people constantly make mistakes — sometimes deliberately, sometimes not; in words, in deeds or in thought. But Allah has kept the door open for returning after a mistake. One of the most important ways of returning is istighfar: asking Allah for forgiveness.
The word istighfar means seeking forgiveness. When a servant of Allah sincerely says “Astaghfirullah”, they are essentially acknowledging their own helplessness and asking Allah for forgiveness and mercy. In Islam it is not only a practice for having sins forgiven, but also an important means of self-purification, repentance and deepening one’s relationship with Allah.
Istighfar in the Quran
The Holy Quran highlights the importance of istighfar in various ways. The Prophet Nuh (peace be upon him) called on his people to seek Allah’s forgiveness. Verses 10 to 12 of Surah Nuh say that if they seek Allah’s forgiveness, He will send abundant rain, help them with wealth and children, and grant them gardens and rivers.
Verse 52 of Surah Hud likewise links istighfar and repentance with Allah’s mercy and increased strength. These verses show that istighfar is not only a plea for forgiveness in the hereafter, but can also be a regular practice for a believer hoping for Allah’s mercy and grace.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) sought forgiveness regularly
The greatest example of the importance of istighfar is the life of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). In a hadith in Sahih al-Bukhari narrated by Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him), the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said that he sought Allah’s forgiveness and repented more than 70 times a day.
Another hadith in Sahih Muslim says he told people to repent to Allah and said that he himself repented 100 times a day.
There is an important lesson here. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) was a sinless prophet, yet he sought forgiveness regularly. So istighfar should not be seen only as something to do after committing a major sin. It can be part of a believer’s daily self-purification.
Not just words, but remorse
Many think that simply saying “Astaghfirullah” completes istighfar. Saying it aloud is certainly an important form of remembrance. But sincere repentance also requires remorse for one’s mistakes, turning away from the sin and striving not to return to it.
In other words, if someone violates another person’s rights and merely says istighfar without trying to restore those rights, the true purpose of repentance is not fulfilled. Alongside seeking Allah’s forgiveness, one must also try to make good any rights owed to other people.
Istighfar turns the heart towards Allah
Worry, failure, guilt and all kinds of crises can come into a person’s life. At such times, istighfar gives a person the chance to look at their own mistakes and return to Allah.
Istighfar reminds people that even after a mistake, they must not despair of Allah’s mercy, but acknowledge their mistake and return to Him. That is why istighfar is regarded as a powerful means of self-purification.
Istighfar after prayer
There is also a narration in Sahih Muslim that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) would seek forgiveness three times after finishing his prayer, saying “Astaghfirullah”.
This shows that there is no need to wait for any special time for istighfar. After prayer, before sleep, after a mistake or in a spare moment, one can ask Allah for forgiveness at any time.
A simple practice with deep meaning
The simplest phrase of istighfar is “Astaghfirullah”, meaning “I seek forgiveness from Allah”. It takes only a few seconds to say, but its significance is profound.
If, even amid the busyness of the day, someone remembers their mistakes and sincerely asks Allah for forgiveness, it can be a small but important step in their self-purification. Istighfar should, however, be accompanied by good deeds, staying away from sin and an effort to repent.
In the end, istighfar is not just a phrase; it is a path of returning to Allah. Each time a person recognises their mistake, they have the chance to seek forgiveness. And in a believer’s life, this habit of returning can lead them towards self-purification and nearness to Allah.
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