Authored by: Fadhilat al-Shaykh Hafiz Abdul Sattar Hammad (may Allah preserve him)
[Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, 6858]
"Indeed, I seek forgiveness from Allah one hundred times a day."
❖ Istighfār not only erases sins but also brings many worldly blessings. According to Ḥaḍrat Ibn ʿAbbās (رضي الله عنهما), the Prophet ﷺ said:
"Whoever consistently seeks forgiveness, Allah will make for him a way out from every difficulty, provide relief from every worry, and sustain him from sources he could never imagine."
[Abū Dāwūd, al-Ṣalāh: 1518]
The Prophet ﷺ gave glad tidings, saying:
"Glad tidings to the one who finds abundant istighfār in his record of deeds."
[Ibnu Mājah, al-Adab: 3818]
Only genuine istighfār—that which is recognized by Allah as sincere—will be recorded in one’s book of deeds. Verbal expressions without heartfelt sincerity hold no real value in the sight of Allah.
وَاللهُ الْمُسْتَعَانُ
✦ The Prophet’s Practice of Istighfār ✦
وَإِنِّي لَأَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ فِي الْيَوْمِ مِائَةَ مَرَّةٍ[Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, 6858]
"Indeed, I seek forgiveness from Allah one hundred times a day."
✦ Benefits ✦
❖ Istighfār means seeking forgiveness from Allah for sins and shortcomings. It is closely linked with tawbah (repentance)—the two are inseparable.❖ Istighfār not only erases sins but also brings many worldly blessings. According to Ḥaḍrat Ibn ʿAbbās (رضي الله عنهما), the Prophet ﷺ said:
"Whoever consistently seeks forgiveness, Allah will make for him a way out from every difficulty, provide relief from every worry, and sustain him from sources he could never imagine."
[Abū Dāwūd, al-Ṣalāh: 1518]
✦ The Reality of True Istighfār ✦
It is essential to note that the divine promise mentioned above is not for mere verbal repetition, but for true istighfār, which comes with sincere intent and recognition of one’s faults.The Prophet ﷺ gave glad tidings, saying:
"Glad tidings to the one who finds abundant istighfār in his record of deeds."
[Ibnu Mājah, al-Adab: 3818]
Only genuine istighfār—that which is recognized by Allah as sincere—will be recorded in one’s book of deeds. Verbal expressions without heartfelt sincerity hold no real value in the sight of Allah.
وَاللهُ الْمُسْتَعَانُ
