Sayyid al-Istighfar: The Supreme Supplication for Forgiveness
It is narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) once spoke of a special supplication—regarded as the most excellent and superior means for a believer to seek forgiveness from Allah. This narration, preserved in one of the most authentic collections of hadith, highlights the profound importance Islam places on repentance and turning back to the Creator.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) further emphasized its great virtue: “Whoever recites this supplication during the day with sincere faith, and passes away before evening, will be among the people of Paradise. And whoever recites it at night with genuine conviction, and dies before morning, will also be counted among the people of Paradise.”
This supplication is widely known as Sayyid al-Istighfar (The Master of Supplications for Forgiveness). In Arabic, it is written as follows:
اللّٰهُمَّ أَنْتَ رَبِّي، لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ، خَلَقْتَنِيْ وَأَنَا عَبْدُكَ، وَأَنَا عَلَى عَهْدِكَ وَوَعْدِكَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُ، أَعُوْذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا صَنَعْتُ، أَبُوءُ لَكَ بِنِعْمَتِكَ عَلَيَّ وَأَبُوءُ لَكَ بِذَنْبِيْ، فَاغْفِرْ لِيْ، فَإِنَّهُ لَا يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوْبَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ۔
Transliteration: Allahumma anta rabbi la ilaha illa anta, khalaqtani wa-ana ‘abduk, wa-ana ‘ala ‘ahdika wa wa’dika ma astata’t, a’oothu bika min sharri ma sana’t, aboo-u laka bini’matika ‘alayya wa aboo-u laka bidhanbee, faghfir lee, fa-innahu la yaghfiru dh-dhunuba illa anta.
English Translation: “O Allah! You are my Lord. There is no true deity except You. You have created me, and I am Your servant. I uphold Your covenant and promise to the best of my ability. I seek refuge in You from the evil of what I have done. I acknowledge the blessings You have bestowed upon me, and I confess my sins. Forgive me, for none but You can forgive sins.”
This supplication is deeply moving and spiritually profound. It combines sincere monotheism, gratitude to the Creator, honest self-reflection, and a heartfelt plea for mercy. More than just a formula of words, it represents a complete submission of the soul—a return to the Source of all purity and grace. It is not merely an act of repentance, but a spiritual ascent, where the servant stands humbly before his Lord, acknowledging both divine favor and personal shortcoming.
The Importance of Seeking Forgiveness
In Islamic teachings, asking for forgiveness is not a sign of weakness, but rather a mark of strength, humility, and firm faith. Allah says in the Qur’an, Surah Hud, verse 52:
“And O my people, ask forgiveness of your Lord and then turn to Him in repentance. He will send down upon you rain from the sky in abundance and add strength to your strength. So do not turn away as criminals.”
This verse reveals that sincere repentance does not only cleanse sins, but also invites divine blessings and inner strength. Forgiveness from Allah is not only possible—it is promised to those who turn to Him with sincerity.
Furthermore, in Surah Al-Ahzab, verse 35, Allah declares:
“Indeed, the Muslim men and Muslim women, the believing men and believing women, the obedient men and obedient women, the truthful men and truthful women, the patient men and patient women, the humble men and humble women, the charitable men and charitable women, the fasting men and fasting women, the men who guard their private parts and the women who do so, and the men who remember Allah often and the women who do so—for them Allah has prepared forgiveness and a great reward.”
Thus, repentance, combined with righteous deeds and constant remembrance of Allah, is a path to purification, closeness to the Divine, and eternal reward.
Conclusion: Make Repentance a Daily Practice
Sayyid al-Istighfar is more than a prayer—it is a way of life. It reminds us that no one is free from error, but true wisdom lies in constantly returning to Allah, purifying the heart, and seeking His endless mercy.
Whether in the morning or at night, let us recite this supplication with presence of heart, acknowledging our faults, thanking Allah for His countless blessings, and imploring His forgiveness. For indeed, He alone is the Most Forgiving, the Most Merciful—the One who accepts repentance and pardons all sins.
Let this powerful du’a become a regular part of our daily worship, a constant reminder of our need for grace, and a beacon guiding us back to the light of faith.
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