Forgiveness
Sayyid al-Istighfar — The Master Supplication for Forgiveness
Sayyid al-Istighfar (the master of supplications for forgiveness) was taught by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and is described as the greatest dua for seeking Allah's pardon. The Prophet ﷺ said: 'Whoever says it during the day with certainty in it and dies that day before evening, he will be among the people of Paradise; and if one says it at night with certainty in it and dies before morning, he will be among the people of Paradise.' (Sahih al-Bukhari 6306)
اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ رَبِّي لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ، خَلَقْتَنِي وَأَنَا عَبْدُكَ، وَأَنَا عَلَىٰ عَهْدِكَ وَوَعْدِكَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُ، أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا صَنَعْتُ، أَبُوءُ لَكَ بِنِعْمَتِكَ عَلَيَّ وَأَبُوءُ بِذَنْبِي، فَاغْفِرْ لِي، فَإِنَّهُ لَا يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ
Transliteration
Allāhumma anta rabbī lā ilāha illā anta, khalaqtanī wa anā ʿabduk, wa anā ʿalā ʿahdika wa waʿdika mā-staṭaʿtu, aʿūdhu bika min sharri mā ṣanaʿtu, abūʾu laka bi-niʿmatika ʿalayya wa abūʾu bi-dhanbī, fa-ghfir lī, fa-innahū lā yaghfiru-dh-dhunūba illā ant.
Translation
O Allah, You are my Lord, there is no god but You. You created me and I am Your servant, and I am upon Your covenant and Your promise as best as I can. I seek refuge with You from the evil of what I have done. I acknowledge Your blessing upon me, and I acknowledge my sin. So forgive me, for indeed none forgives sins except You.
Source: Sahih al-Bukhari 6306, narrated by Shaddad ibn Aws (RA)
When to recite
- Once in the morning — before the sun rises.
- Once in the evening — before sunset.
- Can be repeated throughout the day, especially after salah.
Virtues & Benefits
- The Prophet ﷺ called it 'the master of all supplications for forgiveness.'
- One who says it in the morning with certainty and dies that day enters Paradise (Sahih al-Bukhari 6306).
- One who says it in the evening with certainty and dies that night enters Paradise.
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