Assalamualaikum.
Today, the dua I am sharing with you is so powerful that the Prophet (ﷺ) taught it as a means for Allah to forgive a person’s sins—even if they had fled the battlefield while fighting in the cause of Allah.
Subhanallah. To grasp its immense power, consider this hadith: It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Avoid the seven sins that doom one to Hell.” When asked, “O Messenger of Allah, what are they?” he replied: “Associating others with Allah (Shirk), magic, killing a soul whom Allah has forbidden killing (except in cases dictated by Islamic law), consuming Riba, consuming the property of orphans, fleeing on the day of the march (to the battlefield), and slandering chaste women who never even think of anything touching their chastity and are good believers.”
This dhikr of seeking forgiveness (Istighfar) is truly profound.
Two Variations to Recite
- Subhan Allahi wa bihamdihi; Astaghfirullaha wa atubu ilaihi
- Astaghfir ullah-alladhi la ilaha illa Huwal-Haiyul-Qayyumu, wa atubu ilaihi
Meaning & Arabic Script
The phrase “Astaghfirullah wa atubu ilaih” is written in Arabic as:
أَسْـتَـغْـفِـرُ اللهَ وَ أَ تُـوبُ إِ لَـْيهِ
Meaning: “I seek forgiveness from Allah and repent towards Him.”
It is beautifully simple: ask, and you shall receive. Allah is Most Forgiving and Most Merciful—we need only sincerely believe, deliberate in our supplication, and turn to Him alone. This includes seeking forgiveness for sins we know we have committed, as well as those we may be unaware of.
The Importance of Istighfar
Seeking Allah’s forgiveness is not confined to moments when we know we have sinned. This is a common misconception: Istighfar is not merely a “repair” for wrongdoing, but a continuous act of remembrance and humility.
The Prophet (ﷺ)—the best of creation, protected by Allah (swt) and free from the need for forgiveness—would seek Allah’s forgiveness 70 to 100 times a day, according to authentic narrations. This teaches us that Istighfar grants far more than just forgiveness: it deepens our connection to Allah, purifies our hearts, and draws us closer to righteousness. We should strive to keep this remembrance on our tongues and in our hearts at all times, moistening our lips with the praise and forgiveness of our Lord.
Benefits & Virtues (From Hadith)
Two powerful hadiths highlight the blessings of these supplications:
- Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported: Prior to his demise, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) would supplicate frequently: “Subhan Allahi wa bihamdihi; Astaghfirullaha wa atubu ilaihi” (Allah is free from imperfection, and I begin with praising Him. I beg forgiveness from Allah and I turn to Him in repentance).
- Ibn Mas’ud (may Allah be pleased with her) said: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “He who says: ‘Astaghfir ullah-alladhi la ilaha illa Huwal-Haiyul-Qayyumu, wa atubu ilaihi (I seek the forgiveness of Allah, there is no true god except Allah, the Ever-Living, the Self-Subsisting, and I turn to Him in repentance),’ his sins will be forgiven even if he should have run away from the battlefield (while he was engaged in fighting for the Cause of Allah).”
Conclusion
Inshallah, we strive our best in this dunya—but we must actively seek to reduce our sins and do good. Sometimes, this is as simple as sincerely asking Allah to make us better Muslims.
May this guide help you deepen your understanding of this powerful dua. May Allah (swt) shower you with His forgiveness and mercy, and grant you the strength to remain steadfast in remembrance of Him. Ameen.
About the Author
jislam
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"Allah's guidance to spread the Qur'an, unite Muslims, and strengthen Islam!" "هداية الله لنشر القرآن وتوحيد المسلمين وإعزاز الإسلام!"