Istighfaar. Where do I begin?

“O son of Adam, so long as you call upon Me and ask of Me, I shall forgive you for what you have done, and I shall not mind. O son of Adam, were your sins to reach the clouds of the sky and were you then to ask forgiveness of Me, I would forgive you. O son of Adam, if you were to come to Me with sins filling the earth and then you would meet Me without ascribing any partners to Me, I would certainly bring to you forgiveness close to filling it.”
[Hadith Qudsi]

This is the beauty of our deen. If you make a mistake you have an opportunity to redeem yourself. Not all is lost. Your sheet may be wiped clean, and you can start again. It is easy to pull your socks up and turn over a new leaf. This is how much Allah loves us, that He gives us so many chances. Every breath we take is an opportunity to repent to Allah and return to Him.

This is evidence of how much Allah loves us. His mercy envelops us, His blessings cover us and His favours enshroud us. We need to continuously make istighfaar to cleanse and purify ourselves. Though we were not born in sinfulness, we were indeed created weak, and prone to falling into sin. Hence, Allah gave us the solution, istighfaar. Just as Zakaat purifies our wealth, sincere istighfaar purifies our hearts. It removes the stain and layers of sinfulness.

As Allah says, “Say; O My servants who have transgressed against their own soul, despair not of the mercy of Allah. Indeed Allah forgives all sins. Truly He is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (Surah Zumar 39:53)

Moreover, istighfaar brings peace and tranquillity to the heart. Our hearts are in need of cleansing and calming, both of which are achieved through istighfaar. When a person asks Allah for forgiveness s/he must believe that Allah will forgive them, thereby reassuring and soothing us. It is a reminder and acknowledgement of the mercy of Allah.

Making Istighfaar is a way out of every difficulty, a solution to problems. It is a means by which Allah facilitates and makes matters and affairs easy for us.

Ibn Abbas said that the Prophet (Peace be Upon Him) said, “if anyone constantly seeks pardon (from Allah), Allah will appoint for him a way out of every distress, and a relief from every anxiety, and will provide sustenance for him from where he expects not.” (Abu Dawud)

Allah also says in the Qur’an,

“And seek the forgiveness of your lord, and turn to Him in repentance, that He may grant you good enjoyment for a term appointed…” (Surah Hud 11:03)

Istighfaar does not necessarily have to be done because of a sin, it can be made because of general shortcomings. We realise Allah’s immense blessings upon us, in comparison, our acts of worship are insufficient, so feel obliged to seek Allah’s forgiveness, in hope that He will accept our efforts.

Istighfaar is also a means of many other blessings of Allah; based on the ayah in Surah Nuh, in which Allah says, “Seek forgiveness from your lord. Verily He is ever Most Forgiving. He will send you abundant rain from heaven and will help you with wealth and sons, and will make for you gardens and rivers.” Thus Allah will increase our provisions, and bestow His mercy upon us if we make istighfaar and seek His forgiveness.

Istighfaar is an important part of the life of a muslim. It is reported that the Prophet (Peace be upon Him) would make istighfaar a hundred times a day, despite being the best of creation. (Muslim)

We are nowhere near in comparison to the obedience or righteousness of the Prophet; are we not in more need of making istighfaar often, and keeping our tongues wet with the remembrance of Allah?