Repentance is the beginning of faith, it is the beginning of the life of a person who decides to walk in the path of religion. We are all sinners and the creator’s main attribute is that he is oft forgiving. Thus Allah says in Surah Al-Zumar (39:53): “Say, ‘O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful.’”
Repentance is considered as the key of divine guidance. It is what brought the light to the major prophets. Islam recommends to perform good deeds as a mean after each awareness of a bad action. In an authentic hadith it is said: “Every son of Adam sins, and the best of those who sin are those who repent.” (Tirmidhi). Allah says in the Quran: “ Allah loves those who are penitent and pure.( Surah Baqarah:220). He who returns from sin is like a person who has no sin. To ask forgiveness is called istighfar. The prophetMuhammad(pbuh) taught many ways to ask istighfar. One of the best ways has been refered to as the Master of seeking forgiveness:
1 – Sayyidul Istighfar (The Master of Seeking Forgiveness)
Arabic: “اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ رَبِّي لا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ خَلَقْتَنِي وَأَنَا عَبْدُكَ وَأَنَا عَلَى عَهْدِكَ وَوَعْدِكَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُ أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا صَنَعْتُ أَبُوءُ لَكَ بِنِعْمَتِكَ عَلَيَّ وَأَبُوءُ بِذَنْبِي فَاغْفِرْ لِي فَإِنَّهُ لَا يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ.”
Translation: “O Allah, You are my Lord. There is no deity except You. You created me, and I am Your servant. I am trying my best to keep my promise and covenant with You. I seek refuge in You from the evil of what I have done. I acknowledge before You all the blessings You have bestowed upon me, and I confess all my sins to You. So, forgive me, for surely none can forgive sins except You.
Virtue: The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said that whoever recites this during the day with firm belief in it and dies on the same day before the evening, he will be one of the people of Paradise; and if anyone recites it at night and dies before the morning, he will be one of the people of Paradise (Bukhari).
- Astaghfirullah (I seek forgiveness from Allah)
- Arabic:
أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ
- Translation:
“I seek forgiveness from Allah.”
- Virtue: This simple yet profound phrase can be recited any time. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) used to say “Astaghfirullah” 100 times a day (Muslim).
This can be incorporated into daily life to constantly cleanse the heart This simple yet profound phrase can be recited any time. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) used to say “Astaghfirullah” 100 times a day (Muslim).
. It is recommended to say it three times after each obligatory prayer and before sleep.
- Dua of Adam and Eve
- Arabic:
رَبَّنَا ظَلَمْنَا أَنْفُسَنَا وَإِنْ لَمْ تَغْفِرْ لَنَا وَتَرْحَمْنَا لَنَكُونَنَّ مِنَ الْخَاسِرِينَ.
- Translation:
“Our Lord, we have wronged ourselves, and if You do not forgive us and have mercy upon us, we will surely be among the losers.” (Surah Al-A’raf 7:23)
- Virtue: This supplication was made by Prophet Adam (AS) and Hawwa (Eve) after they were sent to Earth. It reflects their sincere repentance and acknowledgment of their wrongdoing.
- Dua for Comprehensive Forgiveness
- Arabic:
اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي وَارْحَمْنِي وَاهْدِنِي وَعَافِنِي وَارْزُقْنِي.
- Translation:
“O Allah, forgive me, have mercy on me, guide me, grant me health, and provide for me.”
- Virtue: This comprehensive dua covers essential aspects of a believer’s needs, emphasizing forgiveness and mercy (Muslim).
- Dua for Seeking Forgiveness for Specific Sins
- Arabic:
اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي ذَنْبِي كُلَّهُ دِقَّهُ وَجِلَّهُ وَأَوَّلَهُ وَآخِرَهُ وَعَلانِيَتَهُ وَسِرَّهُ.
- Translation:
“O Allah, forgive all my sins, the minor and the major, the first and the last, the open and the hidden.”
- Virtue: This dua was taught by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and covers all types of sins, emphasizing a comprehensive approach to seeking forgiveness (Muslim).
Conclusion
These supplications are powerful tools for seeking Allah’s forgiveness and mercy. By reciting them with sincerity and understanding, believers can purify their hearts and strengthen their relationship with Allah. Encourage your viewers to incorporate these supplications into their daily lives and to approach them with sincere repentance and a heart full of faith.
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