Islamic prayer
Sayyid al-Istighfar and Istighfar
Sayyid al-Istighfar and Istighfar of the Prophet in Arabic, in English letters and with their meaning.
- 2 texts
- Under a minute to recite
- Sayyid al-Istighfar and Istighfar
اللهم أنت ربي لا إله إلا أنت خلقتني وأنا عبدك، وأنا على عهدك ووعدك ما استطعت، أعوذ بك من شر ما صنعت، أبوء لك بنعمتك عليّ وأبوء بذنبي، فاغفر لي فإنه لا يغفر الذنوب إلا أنت
رب اغفر لي وتب عليّ إنك أنت التواب الرحيم
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Sayyid al-Istighfar
- 1
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 bini'matika 'alayya wa abu'u bidhanbi, faghfir li fa'innahu la yaghfiru adh‑dhunuba illa ant
O Allah, You are my Lord. There is no god but You. You created me, and I am Your servant. I keep Your covenant and promise as best I can. I seek refuge in You from the evil of what I have done. I acknowledge Your blessing upon me, and I acknowledge my sin. So forgive me, for no one forgives sins but You.
Istighfar of the Prophet
- 1
Rabbi ighfir li wa tub 'alayya innaka anta at‑Tawwab ar‑Rahim
My Lord, forgive me and accept my repentance. You are indeed the Accepter of repentance, the Most Merciful.
Text: Riyad as-Salihin of al-Nawawi (died 1277), Arabic text: Sayyid al-Istighfar, hadith in the chapter on istighfar; Riyad as-Salihin of al-Nawawi (died 1277), Arabic text: istighfar, hadith 1872. Copied word for word from the edition named here
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When it is recited
Many Sunni Muslims recite Sayyid al-Istighfar in the morning and evening as part of their daily remembrance of Allah. Istighfar is also recited throughout the day, especially when turning back to Allah after wrongdoing. In the tradition, seeking forgiveness is an expression of repentance, humility and hope in Allah’s mercy.
Where it comes from
Sayyid al-Istighfar is a supplication taught by the Prophet Muhammad and recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari. Its name is commonly understood as the foremost supplication for seeking forgiveness. The Prophet’s frequent practice of istighfar is also recorded in hadith, and seeking Allah’s forgiveness is encouraged in the Qur’an.
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Questions about Sayyid al-Istighfar and Istighfar
What does istighfar mean?
Istighfar means seeking Allah’s forgiveness. It can refer to a brief request for forgiveness or to a fuller supplication of repentance.
What is Sayyid al-Istighfar?
It is a supplication taught by the Prophet Muhammad that acknowledges Allah as Lord, admits human wrongdoing and asks for forgiveness.
How many texts are included?
There are 2 texts: Sayyid al-Istighfar and Istighfar of the Prophet.
When should I recite them?
Many Sunni Muslims recite Sayyid al-Istighfar in the morning and evening. Istighfar may be recited at any time as an act of repentance and remembrance.
What language are these supplications in?
The supplications are in Arabic. They are also presented in English letters and with their meaning to help readers follow and understand them.
