Seeking Allah's forgiveness (istighfar) is one of the greatest acts of worship in Islam. Allah promises in the Quran: "And whoever does a wrong or wrongs himself but then seeks forgiveness of Allah will find Allah Forgiving and Merciful." (Quran 4:110). The Prophet ☮ said he himself sought forgiveness from Allah more than seventy times a day — not because he sinned, but because it is the highest act of servitude and the door to Allah's infinite mercy.
قُلۡ يَـٰعِبَادِىَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَسۡرَفُواْ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِهِمۡ لَا تَقۡنَطُواْ مِن رَّحۡمَةِ ٱللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَغۡفِرُ ٱلذُّنُوبَ جَمِيعًا
"Say: O My servants who have transgressed against themselves — do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins."
Quran 39:53
1. Sayyidul Istighfar — The Master of Seeking Forgiveness
This is the greatest dua for forgiveness. The Prophet ☮ said: "Whoever says this in the morning with full conviction, and dies that day before evening, will be among the people of Paradise. And if he says it in the evening with full conviction, dies before morning, will be among the people of Paradise." (Sahih al-Bukhari 6306)
اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ رَبِّي لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ، خَلَقْتَنِي وَأَنَا عَبْدُكَ، وَأَنَا عَلَىٰ عَهْدِكَ وَوَعْدِكَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُ، أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا صَنَعْتُ، أَبُوءُ لَكَ بِنِعْمَتِكَ عَلَيَّ، وَأَبُوءُ بِذَنْبِي، فَاغْفِرْ لِي فَإِنَّهُ لَا يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلَّا 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 'alayya, wa abu'u bidhanbi, faghfir li fa innahu la yaghfirudh-dhunuba illa anta.
Meaning: "O Allah, You are my Lord. There is no god but You. You created me and I am Your servant. I am upon Your covenant and promise as best I can. I seek refuge in You from the evil of what I have done. I acknowledge Your blessing upon me and I acknowledge my sin. So forgive me, for none forgives sins except You."
Sahih al-Bukhari 6306
2. The Short Istighfar — Said 100 Times Daily
The Prophet ☮ said: "Whoever says Astaghfirullah al-'Azim 100 times, Allah will forgive his sins even if they are as much as the foam of the sea." This short istighfar is the foundation of daily repentance.
أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ الْعَظِيمَ الَّذِي لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ وَأَتُوبُ إِلَيْهِ
Astaghfirullah al-'Azim alladhi la ilaha illa huwal-Hayyul-Qayyum wa atubu ilayh.
Meaning: "I seek forgiveness from Allah, the Almighty, besides Whom there is no god, the Ever-Living, the Self-Sustaining, and I repent to Him."
Tirmidhi (graded hasan sahih)
3. Dua of Prophet Adam (peace be upon him)
When Adam and Hawwa sought forgiveness after the test in Paradise, Allah revealed this dua to them. It is the original supplication of tawbah and is in the Quran.
رَبَّنَا ظَلَمۡنَآ أَنفُسَنَا وَإِن لَّمۡ تَغۡفِرۡ لَنَا وَتَرۡحَمۡنَا لَنَكُونَنَّ مِنَ ٱلۡخَـٰسِرِينَ
Rabbana zalamna anfusana wa-in lam taghfir lana wa-tarhamna lanakunanna minal-khasirin.
Meaning: "Our Lord, we have wronged ourselves. If You do not forgive us and have mercy upon us, we will surely be among the losers."
Quran 7:23
4. Dua of Prophet Yunus (Dhul-Nun)
The Prophet ☮ said: "No Muslim ever calls upon Allah with these words except Allah answers his prayer." (Tirmidhi — sahih). This dua combines tawhid, glorification and acknowledgment of wrongdoing.
لَّآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّآ أَنتَ سُبۡحَٰنَكَ إِنِّي كُنتُ مِنَ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ
La ilaha illa anta subhanaka inni kuntu minadh-dhalimin.
Meaning: "There is no deity except You; exalted are You. Indeed, I have been of the wrongdoers."
Quran 21:87 | Tirmidhi 3505
5. Dua After Prayer (Sunnah Istighfar)
It is Sunnah to say Astaghfirullah three times immediately after the tasleem (ending salah). The Prophet ☮ also taught a longer version of seeking forgiveness after prayer.
اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ السَّلَامُ وَمِنْكَ السَّلَامُ، تَبَارَكْتَ يَا ذَا الْجَلَالِ وَالْإِكْرَامِ
Allahumma antas-salam wa minkas-salam, tabarakta ya dhal-jalali wal-ikram.
Meaning: "O Allah, You are Peace and from You comes peace. Blessed are You, O Possessor of majesty and honour." — Recited after saying Astaghfirullah three times following salah.
Sahih Muslim 591
6. Dua of Seeking Refuge from Major Sins
Part of seeking forgiveness is also seeking protection from falling into sin again. This dua from Sahih al-Bukhari is comprehensive.
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْكُفْرِ، وَالْفَقْرِ، وَعَذَابِ الْقَبْرِ
Allahumma inni a'udhu bika minal-kufri wal-faqri wa 'adhabil-qabr.
Meaning: "O Allah, I seek refuge in You from disbelief, poverty and the punishment of the grave."
Sahih al-Bukhari (in dubar kull salah adhkar)
★ When to Make Istighfar: After every prayer (3× Astaghfirullah is Sunnah) • In the last third of the night (Quran 51:18 mentions those who seek forgiveness at dawn) • After waking from sleep • Morning and evening adhkar (include Sayyidul Istighfar) • When you sense you have wronged someone • Throughout the day — make it your constant companion.
Conditions for Tawbah (True Repentance) to Be Accepted
Scholars of Islam outline three (or four) conditions for repentance to be accepted:
- Remorse: Genuinely feeling regret and sorrow for the sin.
- Stopping: Immediately ceasing the sinful act.
- Resolve: Sincerely intending never to return to the sin.
- Rectification: If the sin involved another person's right, return what was wronged (e.g. return stolen property, apologise for slander).
Allah says: "And turn to Allah in repentance, all of you, O believers, that you might succeed." (Quran 24:31)
The Immense Reward of Istighfar
- Allah promises relief from worldly difficulties through istighfar (Quran 71:10–12)
- The Prophet ☮ said: "Whoever makes istighfar regularly, Allah will make a way out for them from every hardship, relieve their distress, and provide them from where they never expected." (Abu Dawud 1518 — sahih)
- Istighfar renews wudu of the soul and keeps the heart soft
- It is one of the easiest yet most beloved acts to Allah
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best dua for forgiveness in Islam?
The best dua for forgiveness is Sayyidul Istighfar: "Allahumma anta Rabbi la ilaha illa anta, khalaqtani wa ana abduka..." The Prophet (peace be upon him) said whoever recites it with conviction in the morning and dies before evening will enter Paradise. (Sahih al-Bukhari 6306)
How many times should I say Astaghfirullah?
The Prophet (peace be upon him) sought forgiveness more than 70 times a day. Making istighfar 100 times daily is a Prophetic practice. At minimum, say Astaghfirullah three times after each prayer, and include Sayyidul Istighfar in your morning and evening adhkar.
Does Allah forgive all sins if you make istighfar?
Yes. Allah says: "Do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins." (Quran 39:53). This requires sincere repentance — feeling remorse, stopping the sin, and resolving not to return. Allah's mercy is greater than all sins combined.
What is the difference between istighfar and tawbah?
Istighfar is asking Allah for forgiveness (saying Astaghfirullah). Tawbah (repentance) is the complete act — remorse, stopping, and resolving not to return. Istighfar is part of tawbah. Tawbah for sins against others also requires rectifying the wrong done to them.
When is the best time to make istighfar?
Special times include: the last third of the night, at dawn before Fajr (as in Quran 51:18), in the morning and evening adhkar (include Sayyidul Istighfar), three times after every salah, and throughout the day. The Quran praises those who seek forgiveness in the pre-dawn hours.
More Duas & Islamic Resources