Allah Almighty says: {and seek forgiveness for your sins and for the [the sins of] the believing men and women.} [Surat Muhammad: 19] He also says: {And seek forgiveness of Allah, for Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.} [Surat an-Nisā’: 106] And He says: {Then glorify the praise of your Lord, and ask His forgiveness. Indeed, He is ever Accepting of Repentance.} [Surat An-Nasr: 3] Allah Almighty also says: {For those who fear Allah are gardens with their Lord under which rivers flow, abiding therein forever...and those who seek forgiveness before dawn.} [Surat Āl ‘Imrān: 15-17] And He says: {Whoever commits evil or wrongs himself, then seeks Allah’s forgiveness will find Allah All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.} [Surat an-Nisā’: 110] He also says: {But Allah would not punish them while you [O Prophet] are among them, nor would Allah punish them as long as they seek forgiveness.} [Surat al-Anfāl: 33] And He says: {And those who, when they commit a shameful act or wrong themselves, remember Allah and seek forgiveness for their sins – who can forgive sins except Allah? – and they do not persist in what they did knowingly.} [Surat Āl ‘Imrān: 135] There are many other well-known verses in this regard.
1) Asking for Allah’s forgiveness means seeking forgiveness of one’s sins and misdeeds, which one commits by neglecting a duty or engaging in something prohibited. The cure of sins is to seek forgiveness and always return in repentance to the Almighty Lord.
2) One should often seek the forgiveness of his Lord and implore Him to pardon him and show mercy to him, for indeed He is the Most Forgiving, the Most Merciful.
3) One of the traits of the pious is that they ask Allah for forgiveness at the latter part of the night, when supplications are readily answered, as the Almighty Lord descends to the heaven of this world.
4) Repentance and forgiveness-seeking are among the best means that preclude the strike of afflictions.
1869/1 - Al-Agharr al-Muzani (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Sometimes I perceive a veil over my heart, and I ask Allah for forgiveness a hundred times a day.” [Narrated by Muslim]
01870/2 - Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that he heard the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) say: “By Allah, I ask Allah for forgiveness and repent to Him more than seventy times a day.” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri]
A veil over my heart: a sense of change and grief due to a decline in Dhikr.
1) One should take the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) as a role model in asking Allah for forgiveness and repenting to Him on a frequent basis.
2) The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) would often ask Allah Almighty for forgiveness, though his past and future sins had already been forgiven. So, what about people like us, who sin a lot and fall short in their duties?!
1871/3 - He also reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “By the One in Whose Hand my soul is, if you were not to commit sins, Allah Almighty would replace you with people who would commit sins and then seek forgiveness from Allah Almighty, Who would then forgive them.” [Narrated Muslim]
1) All human beings are sinners, and the best sinners are the oft-repentant.
2) It shows the favor of Allah Almighty upon His servants as He has opened for them the door to forgiveness and pardon. Indeed, He knows their weakness and susceptibility to sins.
3) Correct understanding of the Hadīth: it gives glad tidings about the forgiveness of sins, yet it does not approve of or condone the commission of sins.
1872/4 - Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) reported: “We would count for the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) in one gathering a hundred utterances (of this supplication): ‘Allāhumma ighfir lī wa tub ‘alayya innaka anta At-Tawwāb Ar-Rahīm (O Allah, forgive me and accept my repentance. Surely, You are the Accepting of Repentance and the Most Merciful).’”
[Narrated by Abu Dāwūd and Al-Tirmidhi, who classified it as Sahīh (authentic)]
1) It shows the Prophet’s humility and submission to his Lord and that he would often repent to Him and ask for His forgiveness.
2) The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) were keen to memorize the Prophet’s guidance as they closely observed his statements, actions, and worship-related conditions.
1873/5 - Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Whoever persists in asking for forgiveness, Allah will grant him a way out of every hardship, a relief from every distress, and provision from where he expects not.” [Narrated by Abu Dāwūd] [6]
1) If a person asks for Allah’s forgiveness in a persistent manner, he will be given sufficient sustenance and get relief from his distress.
2) Asking Allah for forgiveness is a means whereby good things are brought and harmful things are averted. {I said, “Seek forgiveness from your Lord. Indeed, He is Most Forgiving. He will shower you with abundant rain from the sky, and He will give you wealth and children, and bestow upon you gardens and rivers.}
1874/6 - Ibn Mas‘ūd (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Whoever says: ‘Astaghfirullāh al-ladhī lā ilāha illā huwa Al-Hayy Al-Qayyūm wa atūbu ilayh (I ask forgiveness from Allah, there is no god except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of existence, and I turn to Him in repentance),’ his sins will be forgiven even if he has fled from the battlefield.” [Narrated by Abu Dāwūd, Al-Tirmidhi, and Al-Hākim, who classified it as Sahīh (authentic) as per the conditions set by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim]
1) It shows the merit of constantly asking Allah Almighty for forgiveness. It expiates major sins.
2) If a person supplicates Allah Almighty sincerely from his heart, its merit and reward will eliminate even great sins. Indeed, a perfect reward depends upon a perfect supplication.
1875/7 - Shaddād ibn Aws (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “The best way of seeking Allah’s forgiveness is to say: ‘Allāhumma anta Rabbī lā ilāha illā anta khalaqtani wa ana ‘abduka wa ana ‘ala ‘ahdika wa wa‘dika mastata‘t, a‘ūdhu bika min sharri mā sana‘t, abū’u laka bin‘matika ‘alayya wa abū’u bidhambi faghfir lī fa’innahu lā yaghfiru adh-dhunūba illā ant (O Allah, You are my Lord, there is no god except You. You created me and I am Your servant. I will keep Your covenant and promise to the best of my ability. I seek refuge with You from the evil of what I have done. I acknowledge Your favor upon me, and I admit my sin. So, forgive me. Indeed, none can forgive sins but You).’ Whoever says this during the day, while being certain of its meaning, and then he dies before the evening, he will be one of the people of Paradise, and whoever says it at night, while being certain of its meaning, and then he dies before morning, he will be one of the people of Paradise.” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri]
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1) This supplication comprises all meanings of extolment of Allah Almighty. It contains acknowledgment of the fact that Allah is the Creator Who alone is worthy of being worshiped, and acknowledgment of the covenant He has taken from His servants, and it includes seeking refuge from the evil of oneself. So, he who admits his shortcoming, acknowledges the favors of his Lord, and asks Him for forgiveness will find Him Forgiving and Merciful.
2) It shows a servant’s complete politeness towards his Creator. In the Hadīth, the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) ascribed all favors to Allah Almighty alone, with no partner, and admitted sinfulness and attributed it to himself. Indeed, this is the way in which a true believer should turn to his Lord: he recognizes the divine successive favors and blessings bestowed upon him and observes his own faults and shortcomings.
1876/8 - Thawbān (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: “The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) used to seek Allah’s forgiveness thrice after finishing the prayer and then say: ‘Allāhumma anta As-Salām wa minka as-salām tabārakta ya Dhal-jalāl wa al-ikrām (O Allah, You are the Source of Peace, and peace is from You. Blessed are You, O Owner of Majesty and Honor).’” Al-Awzā‘i, a sub-narrator, was asked: “How was forgiveness-seeking like?” He said: “He would say: ‘Astaghfirullāh, astaghfirullāh (I ask for Allah’s forgiveness, I ask for Allah’s forgiveness).’” [Narrated by Muslim]
1) After finishing an obligatory prayer, one is recommended to ask for Allah’s forgiveness thrice. This is because any act of worship must necessarily be marred by some deficiency and shortcoming. Hence, we implore Allah Almighty to pardon this.
2) Peace, security, and tranquility are favors from Allah Almighty which He bestows upon those who comply with His Shariah and believe in and obey His Messenger.
A certain form of forgiveness-seeking has become common among worshipers in some mosques after the prayer. It says: “Astaghfirullāh Al-‘Azhīm al-ladhī lā ilāha illā huwa Al-Hayy Al-Qayyūm wa atūbu ilayh (I seek the forgiveness of Allah, the Magnificent, the One other than Whom there is no god, the Ever-Living, the All-Sustainer, and I repent to Him).” Although its meaning is sound, the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) is not reported to have used this form after the obligatory prayers. Rather, he would say, as Al-Awzā‘i made clear after a question about how the Prophet’s forgiveness-seeking was like: “Astaghfirullāh (I ask Allah for forgiveness),” three times. The narrators of the Hadīths are more knowledgeable than others about the Fiqh related to their narration. So, we should adhere to the Prophet’s Sunnah, as it is rich and sufficient and full of blessing and mercy.
1877/9 - ‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported: “Prior to his death, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) would often say: ‘Subhānallāh wa bihamdih, astaghfirullāh wa atūbu ilayh (Glory and praise be to Allah; I ask for Allah’s forgiveness and repent to Him).’” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim]
1) It shows the manner of the Prophet’s forgiveness-seeking and supplication to Allah Almighty and how he drew closer to his Lord prior to his death.
2) One should not feel secure from the plan of Allah Almighty, for He overturns hearts as He wishes.
3) We are encouraged to observe the comprehensive advice: sticking to glorification of Allah and pursuit of His forgiveness till we die. {Then glorify the praise of your Lord, and ask His forgiveness. Indeed, He is ever Accepting of Repentance.}
1878/10 - Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that he heard the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) say: “Allah Almighty said: ‘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 shall forgive you, and I shall not mind. O son of Adam, were you to come to Me with sins nearly as great as the earth and were you then to meet Me, ascribing no partner to Me, I shall bring you forgiveness nearly as great as that.’” [Narrated by Al-Tirmidhi; he classified it as Hasan (sound)]
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1) Monotheism is a requirement for the forgiveness of sins, for indeed Allah does not forgive associating partners with Him and He forgives any sin beyond that, for whomever He wills.
2) If a person repents sincerely to Allah Almighty, He forgives all his sins, even if they were so great that they fill the earth.
3) Monotheism is a good deed that expiates all evils deeds, no matter how great they may be.
1879/11 - Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “O women, give charity and ask for Allah’s forgiveness a lot, for indeed I have seen that you make up the majority of the dwellers of Hellfire.” A woman among them said: “Why do we make up the majority of the dwellers of Hellfire?” He said: “You curse frequently and are ungrateful to your husbands. I have not seen anyone deficient in mind and religion, yet more overwhelming to a man of intellect than you.” She said: “What is the deficiency in mind and religion?” He said: “The testimony by two women is equal to the testimony of one man; and she spends days without praying.” [Narrated by Muslim]
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1) Women are urged to give charity, perform good deeds, frequently ask for Allah’s forgiveness, and perform other acts of obedience.
2) Women are prohibited from cursing others and showing ingratitude to their husbands, which is a major sin.
3) Islam cares about women, as represented by the Prophet’s address to them by way of preaching and teaching.
4) Women are more emotional than rational. This is what is intended by their mental deficiency, which the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) clarified by the given example.