The Virtue of Istighfar and Allah’s Mercy According to Qur’an and Hadith ✍ Written by: Qari Usama bin Abdus Salam
❖ The Greatness of Istighfār and the Importance of Allah ﷻ
(A Comprehensive Discourse in Light of the Qur’an, Hadith, and Scholars)
Definition of Istighfar:
The word "Istighfar" means: To seek forgiveness from Allah ﷻ for one’s sins, acknowledging one’s mistakes and affirming that only Allah ﷻ has the power to forgive.
The Magnificence of Istighfar in the Light of the Qur’an:
➊ Allah ﷻ is the Forgiver of Sins:
﴿وَمَن يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ﴾
“And who forgives sins except Allah?”
(Surah Aal-e-Imran: 135)
➋ Istighfar Brings Provision, Children, and Rain:
﴿فَقُلْتُ اسْتَغْفِرُوا رَبَّكُمْ إِنَّهُ كَانَ غَفَّارًا يُرْسِلِ السَّمَاءَ عَلَيْكُم مِّدْرَارًا وَيُمْدِدْكُم بِأَمْوَالٍ وَبَنِينَ﴾
“Nuh (A.S) said: Seek forgiveness from your Lord. Indeed, He is ever Forgiving. He will send [rain from] the sky upon you in abundance, and provide you with wealth and children.”
(Surah Nuh: 10-12)
➌ Istighfar Protects from Punishment:
﴿وَمَا كَانَ اللَّهُ لِيُعَذِّبَهُمْ وَأَنتَ فِيهِمْ ۚ وَمَا كَانَ اللَّهُ مُعَذِّبَهُمْ وَهُمْ يَسْتَغْفِرُونَ﴾
“And Allah would not punish them while you are among them, and Allah would not punish them while they seek forgiveness.”
(Surah Al-Anfal: 33)
The Virtue of Istighfar in the Hadith:
➊ The Prophet ﷺ Frequently Performed Istighfar:
قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ:
“وَإِنِّي لَأَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ فِي الْيَوْمِ أَكْثَرَ مِنْ سَبْعِينَ مَرَّةً”
“Indeed, I seek forgiveness from Allah more than seventy times a day.”
(Sahih Bukhari: 6307)
➋ Istighfar is a Means of Forgiveness of Sins:
“مَنْ لَزِمَ الاسْتِغْفَارَ جَعَلَ اللَّهُ لَهُ مِنْ كُلِّ هَمٍّ فَرَجًا، وَمِنْ كُلِّ ضِيقٍ مَخْرَجًا، وَرَزَقَهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَحْتَسِبُ”
“Whoever regularly performs Istighfar, Allah will grant him relief from every worry, a way out from every distress, and sustenance from where he does not expect.”
(Sunan Abi Dawud: 1518 – Authentic)
Sayings of the Scholars:
➊ Imam Ibn Taymiyyah (رحمه الله):
“Repentance from sins and Istighfar are the foundation of all good deeds.”
➋ Imam Hasan al-Basri (رحمه الله):
“Istighfar is like a magical remedy that removes all calamities.”
The Importance of Allah ﷻ:
- Allah ﷻ is the Creator, the One Who forgives, and there is no refuge except with Him.
- Our life, death, sustenance, forgiveness, honour, and peace – everything lies in the Hand of Allah ﷻ.
- Allah ﷻ is exceedingly Merciful and is more pleased with forgiveness than He is displeased with sin when a servant turns back to Him.
Practical Benefits of Istighfar:
◈ Recite "أستغفرُ اللهَ وأتوبُ إليه" at least 100 times every morning and evening.
◈ Recall your sins with sincere remorse and ask Allah for forgiveness.
◈ Make a firm intention to abandon sins and never return to them.
Conclusion:
Istighfar is the path to connect with Allah ﷻ. It purifies the heart, nourishes the soul, and is the key to success in both this world and the Hereafter.
Whoever turns to Istighfar is like one who humbles himself at Allah’s door, and Allah opens the doors of His Mercy for him.
