Fath al-Rabbani

Benefits: … The Noble Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam would seek forgiveness (istighfar) in order to remove various ailments and veils from the heart and to purify it. He sallallahu alayhi wa sallam desired that his presence before Allah Ta‘ala be perpetual, but when he sallallahu alayhi wa sallam would turn towards human necessities, such as eating and drinking, which would cause a decrease in the perfection of that presence, he sallallahu alayhi wa sallam would rectify this state through seeking forgiveness. Furthermore, he sallallahu alayhi wa sallam would seek forgiveness to express servitude (‘ubudiyyah), to become a beggar of his Lord’s grace, and to teach his ummah. (We ask Allah to purify us from sins and to conceal our faults.)