Types of Istighfar with Hadith & Benefits

Istighfar means seeking forgiveness. By learning the different Types of Istighfar with Hadith & Benefits with Quranic quotes, we can strengthen our spiritual connection Regularly practicing Istighfar brings peace, erases sins, and invites Allah’s blessings into our lives

What is Istighfar?

Istighfar (Arabic: ٱسْتِغْفَار, romanized: istighfār) is the act of seeking forgiveness in Islam. This is usually done by saying “I seek the forgiveness of God” (Arabic: أَسْتَغْفِرُ ٱللَّٰهَ, romanized: astaghfiru llāha), or “I seek the forgiveness of God, my Lord, and turn to him (in repentance)”

(Arabic: أَسْتَغْفِرُ ٱللَّٰهَ رَبِّي وَأَتُوبُ إِلَيْهِ, romanized: astaghfiru llāha rabbī wa-atūbu ilayhi).[1] It is considered one of the essential parts of worship in Islam.

One of the shortest and most powerful supplications for seeking forgiveness from Allah is saying “Astaghfirullah”, which means “I seek forgiveness from Allah.” 

This simple yet profound phrase reminds us of our humility and constant need for Allah’s mercy. Along with it, many other concise and meaningful supplications are powerful means to seek His forgiveness and draw closer to Allah.

Types of Istighfar with Hadith

أَسْـتَـغْـفِـرُ اللهَ وَ أَ تُـوبُ إِ لَـْيهِ

“Astaghfirullah wa atubu ilayh”

I seek forgiveness from Allah and repent to Him.

Narrated Abu Huraira:

I heard Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) saying.” By Allah! I ask for forgiveness from Allah and turn to Him in repentance more than seventy times a day.”

Sahih al-Bukhari 6307

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رَبِّ إِنِّي ظَلَمْتُ نَفْسِي فَاغْفِرْ لِي

Rabbi inni zalamtu nafsi fa-ghfirli.

My Lord, I have certainly wronged myself, sa forgive me. 

 Surah Qasas 28:16

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اللهم إني ظلمت نفسي ظلمًا كثيرًا، ولا يغفر الذنوب إلا أنت، فاغفر لي مغفرة من عندك، وارحمني، إنك أنت الغفور الرحيم

“Allahumma inni zalamtu nafsi zulman kathiran, wala yaghfiru adhdhunuba illa anta, faghfir li maghfiratan min ’indika, warhamni, innaka anta al-Ghafur ar-Rahim”

O Allah! I have considerably wronged myself. There is none to forgive the sins but You. So grant me pardon and have mercy on me. You are the Most Forgiving, the Most Compassionate.

Narrated Abu Bakr As-Siddiq:

I asked Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) to teach me an invocation so that I may invoke Allah with it in my prayer. He told me to say, “Allahumma inni zalumtu nafsi zulman kathiran, Wala yaghfiru dh-dhunuba illa anta, fa ghfir li maghfiratan min `indika, wa r-hamni, innaka anta l-ghafuru r-rahim

(O Allah! I have done great injustice to myself and none except You forgives sins, so bestow on me a forgiveness from You, and Have Mercy on me, You are the Forgiver, the Merciful).

Sahih al-Bukhari (834)

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رَبَّي أَنِّي مَسَّنِيَ الضُّرُّ وَأَنتَ أَرْحَمُ الرَّاحِمِينَ

(Rabbi) Anni massaniya-d-durru wa Anta Arhamu-r-rahimin.

(My Lord), indeed adversity has touched me, and you are the Most Merciful of the merciful.

Surah Al Anbiya 21:83

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رَبَّنَا تَقَبَّلْ مِنَّآ ۖ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلْعَلِ

Rabbana taqabbal minna innaka Anta-s-Samiu-l-‘Alim. Wa tub ‘alaynã innaka Anta-t-Tawwäbu-r-Rahim.

Our Lord, accept from us. Indeed, You – and You alone – are the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing. And accept our repentance. Indeed, You -and You alone – are the Acceptor of repentance, the very Merciful. 

Surah Baqarah Ayah 127

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رَبَّنَا ظَلَمْنَا أَنفُسَنَا وَإِن لَّمْ تَغْفِرْ لَنَا وَتَرْحَمْنَا لَنَكُونَنَّ مِنَ الْخَاسِرِينَ

Rabbana zalamna anfusana wa il-lam taghfir lanã wa tarhamna la-nakunanna minal-khasirin.

Our Lord, we have wronged ourselves. If You do not forgive us and have mercy upon us, we will surely be amongst the losers. (7:23)

SURAH AL-A’RAF AYAT 23

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اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي وَارْحَمْنِي وَاجْبُرْنِي وَاهْدِنِي وَارْزُقْنِي

“Rabbighfir li, warhamni, wahdini, wa ‘afini, warzuqni”

O Lord, forgive me, have mercy upon me, guide me, grant me well-being, and provide for me.

Abu Malik reported on the authority Of his father that he heard Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) saying to the person who had come to him and asked him as to how he should beg his Lord, that he should utter these words:

” O Allah, grant me pardon, have mercy upon me, protect me, provide me sustenance,” and he collected his fingers together except his thumb and said: It is in these words (that there is supplication) which sums up for you (the good) of this world and that of the Hereafter.

Sahih Muslim 2697 c

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اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ فِعْلَ الخَيْرَاتِ وَتَرْكَ المُنْكَرَاتِ وَحُبَّ المَسَاكِينِ وَأَنْ تَغْفِرَ لِي وَ تَرْحَمَنِي

Allahumma inni as-aluka fi’lal-khairaat, wa tarkal-munkarat, wa hubbal-masaakiin, wa an-taghfira lii wa tarhamanii

O Allah, I ask of You (to grant me) the observance of good deeds, the abandonment of evil deeds, and love for the poor, and (I ask You) that You forgive me, and have mercy upon me.

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رَبَّنَا اغْفِرْلَنَا وَلِإِخْوَانِنَا الَّذِينَ سَبَقُونَا بِالإِيمَانِ وَلَا تَجْعَلْ فِي قُلُوبِنَا غِلًّا لِّلَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ رَبَّنَا إِنَّكَ رَءُوفُ رَّحِيم

Rabbana-ghfir lana wa li ikhwaninal-laziina sabaquuna bil-iman, wa laa taj-al fii quluubina ghillal-lil lazina aamanuu, rabbanaa innaka raufur-rahim

Our Lord! Forgive us and our fellow believers who preceded us in faith, and do not allow any resentments into our hearts towards those who believe. Our Lord! Indeed, You are Ever Gracious, Most Merciful.

Surah Al-Hashr, 59:10

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رَبَّنَا فَاغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا وَكَفِّرْ عَنَّا سَيِّئَاتِنَا وَتَوَفَّنَا مَعَ الأَبْرَارِ

Rabbana fa-ghfir lana zunuubana wa-kaffir anna sayyi-aatina wa-tafawwafaa ma’al-abrar

Our Lord! Forgive our sins, remove from us our misdeeds, and grant that we join the righteous when we die.

Surah Ali Imran, 3:193

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اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي ذَنْبِي كُلَّهُ، دِقَّهُ وَجِلَّهُ ، وَأَوَّلَهُ وَآخِرَهُ، وَعَلَانِيَتَهُ وَسِرَّهُ

Allahum-maghfir li dhanbi kullahu: diqqahu wa jillahu, wa ‘awwalahu wa akhirahu, wa alaniyatahu wa sirrahu.

O Allah! Forgive me all my sins, those which are few (or small) and those which are plenty (or big), the first of them and the last of them, those that are apparent and those that are hidden.

Abu Huraira reported:

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to say while prostrating himself: O Lord, forgive me all my sins, small and great, first and last, open and secret.

Sahih Muslim 483

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Istighfar Benefits  

Forgiveness of Sins

By seeking Allah’s forgiveness, all sins, whether big or small, are forgiven.

Hadith Reference: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “He who seeks forgiveness has not been persistent in sin, even if he sins seventy times a day.” (Tirmidhi)

Erases Mistakes of the Past

Asking for Istighfar (forgiveness) cleanses you from sins, both those committed in the past and recent ones.

Quran Reference: “Say, ‘O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins.’” (Quran 39:53)

Protection from Punishment

When people seek forgiveness, Allah holds back punishment from them.

Quran Reference: ”…Allah would not punish them while they seek forgiveness.” (Quran 8:33)

Increases Provision and Wealth

Istighfar (seeking forgiveness) opens doors to wealth and sustenance.

Quran Reference: “And give you increase in wealth and children.” (Quran 71:12)

Increases Strength and Health

Seeking forgiveness brings strength, whether physical, mental, or emotional.

Quran Reference: ”…and increase you in strength [added] to your strength.” (Quran 11:52)

Rain as a Sign of Mercy

Forgiveness can result in rain from the sky, symbolizing Allah’s mercy.

Quran Reference: “He will send [rain from] the sky upon you in showers.” (Quran 71:11)

Entrance to Paradise

Those who seek Istighfar frequently are given glad tidings of entering Paradise.

Hadith Reference: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Glad tidings be to those who find a lot of seeking forgiveness in the record of their deeds.” (Ibn Majah)

Protection from Disasters

Repenting and seeking forgiveness helps prevent sudden calamities and disasters.

Hadith Reference: “Allah extends His hand by the day so the sinner of the night can repent, and He extends His hand by the night so the sinner of the day can repent.” (Muslim)

Attaining Allah’s Pleasure

Allah loves those who seek forgiveness and turn to Him in repentance.

Hadith Reference: “There is none who likes that people repent to Him and beg His pardon more than Allah.” (Bukhari)

Attainment of Peace and Blessings

Seeking forgiveness brings inner peace, helps calm the mind, and leads to more blessings in life.

Hadith Reference: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever constantly seeks forgiveness, Allah will provide for him a way out of every difficulty and a relief from every worry, and will grant him sustenance from sources he could never imagine.” (Abu Dawud)