Istighfar After we pray, we are encouraged to make istighfar. Who can tell me what istighfar means? Yes, it’s seeking forgiveness from Allah ﷻ. But wait, we just prayed. So why are we asking for forgiveness after praying? That’s true. We may have made mistakes in our prayer. But should we make istighfar only when we make a mistake or sin? The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, would constantly make istighfar. He would make istighfar at least 100 times a day and he was sinless! Can you believe that? Yes, we make istighfar for Allah ﷻ to forgive us, but that’s not the only benefit, even though it’s a big one! Istighfar actually strengthens us. It comes from the word ghafara, which means to cover up. On the Day of Judgement, we want Allah ﷻ to cover up all our sins and completely erase them from our book. When Prophet Nuh (peace be upon him) , would talk to his people and invite them to seek forgiveness from Allah ﷻ, do you know how they responded? They would stick their fingers in their ears! And they would cover themselves with their clothing, like they wanted to hide away! But Prophet Nuh (peace be upon him) never gave up! He would tell them to seek forgiveness both in public and in private. He continued doing this for 950 years! He cared about them so much and Allah ﷻ reminds us in Surat Nuh that istighfar doesn’t only help us in the hereafter, but also in this world too! Pay close attention to these verses and count how many blessings Allah ﷻ promises us when we make istighfar: And said, 'Ask forgiveness of your Lord. Indeed, He is ever a Perpetual Forgiver. He will send [rain from] the sky upon you in [continuing] showers. And give you increase in wealth and children and provide for you gardens and provide for you rivers, (Surat Nuh 10-12). Do you want to know the best dua we can say for forgiveness? Let’s say it together: اللّٰهُمَّ أَنْتَ رَبِّي، لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ، خَلَقْتَنِيْ وَأَنَا عَبْدُكَ، وَأَنَا عَلَى عَهْدِكَ وَوَعْدِكَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُ، أَعُوْذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا صَنَعْتُ، أَبُؤُ لَكَ بِنِعْمَتِكَ عَلَىَّ وَأَبُؤُ لَكَ بِذَنْبِيْ، فَاغْفِرْ لِيْ، فَإِنَّهُ لَا يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوْبَ إِلَّاأَنْتَ Allahumma anta rabbi la ilaha illa anta, khalaqtani wa-ana ‘abduk, wa-ana ‘ala ‘ahdika wawa‘dika mas-tata‘t, a‘oothu bika min sharri ma sana‘t, aboo-o laka bini‘matika ‘alay, wa-aboo-o bithanbee, faghfir lee fa-innahu la yaghfiru-thunaba illa ant. 'O Allah! You are my Lord. There is no true God except You. You have created me, and I am Your slave, and I hold to Your Covenant as far as I can. I seek refuge in You from the evil of what I have done. I acknowledge the favours that You have bestowed upon me, and I confess my sins. Pardon me, for none but You has the power to pardon.'