Pronunciation: Astagh-fi-rulla-hal Atheem, al-lazi la ilaha il-la Huwal-Hay-yul-Qayyum wa aa-tubu i-laih
Meaning: I seek the forgiveness of Allah the Mighty, Whom there is none worthy of worship except Him, The Living, The Eternal, and I repent unto Him
Virtue: We point a finger & correct others often but why is it so hard to correct ourselves? No one's perfect. Admit your faults & correct them. Don't try to justify your sin by comparing it to the sin of others. It won't make you feel better. What we really need is His forgiveness.
Become pure right now, like the day you were born (sinless).
Hazrat Abdullah bin Abbas Radiyallahu Anhu narrates that Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam said: “The one who [regularly] says Istighfaar, Allah Azza Wa-Jal will open a path for him from all difficulties, remove him from all sorrow, and grant him sustenance from unimagined and unexpected sources.” ~ [Abu Dawud]
It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: I heard the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) say: “A person committed a sin and said: ‘My Lord, I have sinned; forgive me.’ His Lord said: ‘Is My slave acknowledging that he has a Lord Who forgives sins and punishes for them? I have forgiven My slave.’ Then as much time passed as Allah willed, then he committed a sin and said, ‘My Lord, I have sinned; forgive me.’ His Lord said: ‘Is My slave acknowledging that he has a Lord Who forgives sins and punishes for them? I have forgiven My slave.’ Then as much time passed as Allah willed, then he committed a sin and said, ‘My Lord, I have sinned; forgive me.’ His Lord said: ‘Is My slave acknowledging that he has a Lord Who forgives sins and punishes for them? I have forgiven My slave,’ – three times…” [al-Bukhari, Muslim - Book 1, Hadith 421, Qudsi40/33].
Allah says (interpretation of the meaning): “And those who, when they have committed fahishah (illegal sexual intercourse) or wronged themselves with evil, remember Allah and ask forgiveness for their sins; and none can forgive sins but Allah and do not persist in what (wrong) they have done, while they know.
For such, the reward is forgiveness from their Lord, and Gardens with rivers flowing underneath (Paradise), wherein they shall abide forever. How excellent is this reward for the doers (who do righteous deeds according to Allah’s orders).” [3:135-136]
Abu Huraira (RA) reported Allah's Messenger (SAW) as saying: He who seeks repentance (from the Lord) before the rising of the sun from the west (before the Day of Resurrection), Allah turns to him with Mercy. (Sahih Muslim 2703, Book 48, Hadith 55)
Always repent as soon as you can. The next day is not guaranteed for anyone so if you sin today, repent that same day. If you miss the day, then repent the next day. Allah's Mercy is so great that if you were to turn to Him and seek forgiveness at any point before the Day fo Resurrection, He would forgive you. Alhamdulillah for His Mercy!
A Muslim’s faith may become weak and he may be overwhelmed by his desires. The Shaytaan may make sin attractive to him, so he wrongs himself (commits sin) and falls into that which Allah has forbidden. But Allah is Kind to His slaves, and His mercy encompasses all things. Whoever repents after doing wrong, Allah will accept his repentance, for Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.
“But whosoever repents after his crime and does righteous good deeds (by obeying Allah), then verily, Allah will pardon him (accept his repentance). Verily, Allah is Oft Forgiving, Most Merciful [al-Maa’idah 5:39]
Allah is Forgiving and Generous. He commands all His slaves to repent sincerely so that they may gain the mercy of Allah and His Paradise. Allah says: “O you who believe! Turn to Allah with sincere repentance! It may be that your Lord will expiate from you your sins, and admit you into Gardens under which rivers flow (Paradise)” [al-Tahreem 66:8]
Reference: Abu Dawud 2/85, at-Tirmidhi 5/569, Jami` at-Tirmidhi 3577
