“And Allah shall not punish them while they seek forgiveness.” (Surah Al-Anfal 8:33)

Ramadan isn’t just about fasting—it’s about reflection, growth, and coming back to Allah with sincerity. One of the most underrated yet powerful acts of worship is Istighfar (seeking forgiveness). It’s simple, takes seconds, yet carries immense weight.

The verse above is a reminder that as long as we keep turning to Allah in repentance, we remain under His protection. We all slip up, we all make mistakes—but Allah’s mercy is always greater than our shortcomings. The key is to never stop seeking forgiveness.

Istighfar: More Than Just Words

Let’s be real. Life can be rough. We go through struggles, setbacks, and moments where we feel lost. But here’s the thing—Istighfar isn’t just about wiping away sins; it’s about unlocking ease, blessings, and peace.

Why Seeking Forgiveness is a Game Changer

1. It Shields You from Hardship

Allah tells us straight up—those who seek forgiveness won’t face His punishment. That’s not just in the hereafter, but even in this world. Think of Istighfar as a spiritual safety net.

“And Allah would not punish them while they seek forgiveness.”

(Surah Al-Anfal 8:33)

2. It Opens Doors of Rizq (Sustenance & Blessings)

In Surah Nuh (71:10-12), Prophet Nuh (AS) tells his people:

“Seek forgiveness from your Lord; He is Ever-Forgiving. He will send down rain for you in abundance and provide you with wealth and children, and make for you gardens and rivers.”

(Surah Nuh 71:10-12)

Istighfar isn’t just about the soul—it brings barakah into your money, your family, and your life.

3. It Softens the Heart

Ever felt distant from Allah? Like your heart is heavy, but you don’t know why? Sins create that burden. Istighfar is like a reset button. The more you seek forgiveness, the more you feel at peace.

The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:

“When a believer commits a sin, a black dot appears on his heart. If he repents and seeks forgiveness, his heart is polished clean.”

(Ibn Majah, Hadith 4244)

4. It Makes Your Duas More Powerful

Want your duas answered faster? Start with Istighfar. Even Imam Hassan Al-Basri (RA) used to tell people struggling with different problems to increase in seeking forgiveness. It clears the way for Allah’s mercy to reach you.

A man once came to Hassan Al-Basri complaining about different hardships—poverty, lack of children, and drought. He responded the same way to each complaint:

“Increase in seeking forgiveness, for Allah says: ‘Ask forgiveness of your Lord. Indeed, He is ever Forgiving. He will send rain to you in showers and increase you in wealth and children.’”

(Surah Nuh 71:10-12, Tafsir Ibn Kathir)

Making Istighfar a Daily Habit

• Say it throughout the day. Keep “Astaghfirullah” on your tongue as you go about your routine.

• Make it personal. Don’t just say it—mean it. Reflect on where you can improve.

• Do it before sleeping. End the day by seeking forgiveness for anything you did, knowingly or unknowingly.

• After Salah, take a moment. The Prophet (ﷺ) sought forgiveness over 70 times a day, and he was sinless. What about us?

“By Allah, I seek forgiveness from Allah and turn to Him in repentance more than seventy times a day.”

(Sahih al-Bukhari 6307)

Ramadan: The Best Time for a Fresh Start

Ramadan is the month of mercy and second chances. The best time to build a habit of seeking forgiveness is now. And if there’s one dua you should be saying in these last ten nights, it’s this:

اللهم إنك عفو تحب العفو فاعف عني

“Allahumma innaka ‘afuwwun tuhibbul ‘afwa fa’fu ‘anni”

(O Allah, You are the Most Forgiving, and You love to forgive, so forgive me.)

(Sunan At-Tirmidhi 3513, Ibn Majah 3850)

At the end of the day, Istighfar is for us, not Allah. He doesn’t need our repentance—we do. It’s our way of keeping our hearts clean, our rizq flowing, and our connection with Him strong.

So, let’s make it a habit. Even if we fall, we get back up. That’s what Allah wants—to see us turn back to Him, again and again.

May Allah forgive us all and grant us His mercy. Ameen.

References:

1. The Quran: Surah Al-Anfal (8:33), Surah Nuh (71:10-12)

2. Hadith Collections:

• Sahih al-Bukhari 6307

• Sunan At-Tirmidhi 3513

• Ibn Majah 3850, 4244

3. Tafsir Ibn Kathir (Commentary on Surah Nuh 71:10-12)

4. Sayings of Hassan Al-Basri (RA) on Istighfar