Qur-anic supplications and prophetic words for seeking forgiveness (istighfar), with sources.
Istighfar means asking Allah to forgive and to cover over what we have done wrong. These are supplications with clear sources – several are the very words the Qur-an records prophets using. Say them with understanding and with a sincere intention to change.
Key points
- Istighfar is asking Allah to cover and pardon sin; it can be said at any time and in any state.
- The Qur-an preserves the exact words prophets used when they turned back to Allah.
- Sayyid al-Istighfar is described as the best wording of istighfar.
- The Prophet (peace be upon him) himself sought forgiveness many times every day, though he was already forgiven.
Practical steps
- Begin by acknowledging the specific wrong to yourself and to Allah.
- Say one of the supplications above, understanding its meaning.
- Resolve not to return to the sin, and put right anything owed to others.
- Make istighfar a regular habit, not only after sin.
Qur’an
Rabbana zalamna anfusana, wa in lam taghfir lana wa tarhamna la-nakunanna mina l-khasirin.
“They said, "Our Lord, we have wronged ourselves, and if You do not forgive us and have mercy upon us, we will surely be among the losers."”
Surah Al-A'raf — 7:23 (the words of Adam)
When to read: The supplication of Adam and Hawwa after their slip. A model for admitting wrong and turning back to Allah.
La ilaha illa anta, subhanaka, inni kuntu mina z-zalimin.
“And [mention] the man of the fish, when he went off in anger and thought that We would not decree [anything] upon him. And he called out within the darknesses, "There is no deity except You; exalted are You. Indeed, I have been of the wrongdoers."”
Surah Al-Anbiya — 21:87 (the words of Yunus)
When to read: The words Yunus said inside the fish. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said no Muslim ever supplicates with them for anything without Allah answering him (Sunan at-Tirmidhi 3505).
Rabbi ghfir wa rham, wa anta khayru r-rahimin.
“And, [O Muhammad], say, "My Lord, forgive and have mercy, and You are the best of the merciful."”
Surah Al-Mu-minun — 23:118
When to read: A short verse of the Qur-an often repeated as a supplication for mercy and forgiveness.
Rabbana innana amanna fa-ghfir lana dhunubana wa qina 'adhaba n-nar.
“Those who say, "Our Lord, indeed we have believed, so forgive us our sins and protect us from the punishment of the Fire,"”
Surah Al Imran — 3:16
When to read: The words of "those of understanding" described in the Qur-an.
Rabbana innana sami'na munadiyan yunadi li-l-imani an aminu bi-rabbikum fa-amanna. Rabbana fa-ghfir lana dhunubana wa kaffir 'anna sayyi-atina wa tawaffana ma'a l-abrar.
“Our Lord, indeed we have heard a caller calling to faith, [saying], 'Believe in your Lord,' and we have believed. Our Lord, so forgive us our sins and remove from us our misdeeds and cause us to die with the righteous.”
Surah Al Imran — 3:193
When to read: Part of the closing supplication of Surah Al Imran, recited by many after the night prayer.
Rabbi inni zalamtu nafsi fa-ghfir li.
“He said, "My Lord, indeed I have wronged myself, so forgive me," and He forgave him. Indeed, He is the Forgiving, the Merciful.”
Surah Al-Qasas — 28:16 (the words of Musa)
When to read: What Musa said after he struck the man and regretted it. A short, direct admission of fault.
Hadith
Allahumma anta Rabbi, la ilaha illa anta. Khalaqtani wa ana 'abduka, wa ana 'ala 'ahdika wa wa'dika ma-stata'tu. A'udhu bika min sharri ma sana'tu. Abu'u laka bi-ni'matika 'alayya, wa abu'u laka bi-dhanbi, fa-ghfir li, fa-innahu la yaghfiru dh-dhunuba illa anta.
O Allah, You are my Lord. There is no god but You. You created me and I am Your servant, and I hold to Your covenant and Your promise as best I can. I seek refuge in You from the evil of what I have done. I acknowledge Your favour upon me, and I acknowledge my sin, so forgive me, for none forgives sins except You.
Sahih al-Bukhari, no. 6306 .
When to read: Sayyid al-Istighfar, "the chief of asking forgiveness". Said morning and evening; see the Morning and Evening Adhkar lessons.
Astaghfiru Llaha lladhi la ilaha illa Huwa l-Hayyu l-Qayyum wa atubu ilayh.
I seek the forgiveness of Allah, besides whom there is no god, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer, and I turn to Him in repentance.
Sunan Abi Dawud, no. 1517 — graded sahih by al-Albani.
When to read: The narration says whoever says it is forgiven even if he had fled from the battlefield. Said at any time.
Rabbi ghfir li wa tub 'alayya, innaka anta t-Tawwabu r-Rahim.
My Lord, forgive me and accept my repentance. You are the Ever-Relenting, the Most Merciful.
Sunan Abi Dawud, no. 1516 — graded sahih by al-Albani.
When to read: Ibn 'Umar reported counting the Prophet (peace be upon him) say this a hundred times in a single sitting.
Hadith text and grading above are shown as supplied by their source. HikmahBridge does not grade Hadith itself. See Sources & Methodology.
FAQ
Is there a fixed number of times to say istighfar?
No fixed obligation. Some narrations mention the Prophet (peace be upon him) saying it seventy or a hundred times a day; take that as encouragement, not a rule.
Does istighfar remove the need to repay people?
No. Forgiveness for wrongs against other people also requires returning their rights or seeking their pardon where possible.
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