Istighfar is the act of seeking forgiveness of Allah. This is usually done by saying “I seek the forgiveness of God” (Arabic: أَسْتَغْفِرُ ٱللَّٰهَ (astaghfirullāha)). We should recite Istighfar as many times possible, for example 100 times or 1000 times a day. We can start with the basic version but the more elaborate version is better.
Benefits of Istighfar:
- Istighfar safeguards the supplicant against the evil consequences of their sins.
- Istighfar increases the blessings of Allah (both material and spiritual). Be mindful about it.
- Istighfar is one of the ways of finding inner peace and tranquillity.
- Istighfar purifies ones from the physiological results of sins.
- Istighfar turns evil deeds to good deeds.
- Istighfar paves way for the acceptance of prayer.
- Allah forgives those who sincerely seek forgiveness unconditionally.
- The Prophet (PBUH) said: “Whoever makes Istighfar frequently, Allah will provide a way for him out of every distress and provide for him from sources he could never expect”.
Different variation of Istighfar:
- Astagfirullāha
أَسْتَغْفِرُ ٱللَّٰهَ
Meaning: I seek forgiveness of Allah
2. Astaghfirullāha wa atubu ilaihi
أَسْـتَـغْـفِـرُ اللهَ وَ أَ تُـوبُ إِ لَـْيهِ
Meaning: I seek forgiveness of Allah and repent towards Him
3. Astaghfirullah-alladhi la ilaha illa Huwal-Haiyul-Qayyumu, wa atubu ilaihi
أسْتَغْفِرُ اللهَ الَّذِي لا إلَهَ إلا هُوَ الحَيُّ القَيُومُ وَأتُوبُ إلَيهِ
Meaning: I seek the forgiveness of Allah, there is no true god except Allah, the Ever-Living, the Self- Subsisting, and I turn to Him in repentance
4. Astagfirullāha rabbi min kulli zambiyon wa atubu ilaihi
أسْتَغْفِرُ اللهَ رَبي مِنْ كُلِ ذَنبٍ وَأتُوبُ إلَيهِ
Meaning: I ask forgiveness of Allah for my sins who is my Lord and I turn towards Him
What is Namaz-e-Istighfar and how to perform it?
The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.s.) said:
If your sustenance reduces and you have difficulties in your affairs you must remove them by asking your needs from the Almighty with the help of Namaz and Isteghfar. Namaz-e-Isteghfar is two rakats. In each rakat after Surah Hamd recite Surah Qadr once and then say Astaghfirullaah 15 times. Then go into the ruku and after the recitation of the ruku say Astaghfirullaah 10 times. Rise up from the ruku and again say it 10 times. Go into the first Sajdah and after the recitation of the Sajdah say Astaghfirullaah 10 times. Arise from the first Sajdah and again say Astaghfirullaah 10 times. Go into the second Sajdah and repeat like the first Sajdah. Get up from the second Sajdah and say Astaghfirullaah 10 times. In the similar manner complete the second rakat and conclude the prayer. Insha Allah everything would be all right.
Please visit this link to learn more about namaz-e-istighfar: https://www.duas.org/na_istegh.htm
Source:
https://myislam.org/astaghfirullah-rabbi-min-kulli/