In Islam, the concept of Tawbah (repentance) and Istighfar (dua for forgiveness of sins) holds a special place as a means of cleansing one’s heart and soul. No matter the magnitude of our sins, Allah’s mercy and forgiveness are always greater. Through istighfar (dua for forgiveness), a believer can seek forgiveness and strive to return to the straight path. This article will guide you through some of the most powerful duas for forgiveness of sins, to help renew your connection with Allah and gain His mercy.
1. Shortest Dua for Forgiveness of Sins
أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللهَ
Astaghfirullāh.
(I ask for forgiveness from Allah.)
(Sahih al-Bukhari 6307)
2. The Prophet’s ﷺ regular supplication
Ibn Umar said: In one sitting of the Messenger of Allah, one could count that he said a hundred time, before he would get up:
رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي وَتُبْ عَلَىَّ إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ التَّوَّابُ الْغَفُورُ
Rabbighfirlī watub ‘alayya innaka antat Tawwābul Ghafūr.
(O my Lord, forgive me, and accept my repentance. Verily, You are the Oft-Returning, the Most Forgiving.)
(Tirmidhi 3434, Abu Dawud 1516)
3. Dua for guaranteed forgiveness from sins
The Prophet ﷺ said: If anyone says (the supplication below), he will be pardoned, even if he has fled in time of battle:
أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ الَّذِي لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ هُوَ الْحَىُّ الْقَيُّومُ وَأَتُوبُ إِلَيْهِ
Astaghfirullāhalladhī lā ilāha illā huwal Ḥayyul Qayyūm, wa atūbu ilaih
(I ask pardon of Allah than Whom there is no deity, the Living, the eternal, and I turn to Him in repentance.)
(Sunan Abi Dawud 1517)
4. Syed ul Istighfar or the master dua for forgiveness
The prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alaihi Wasallam) said: Syed ul Istighfar (i. e. master of all supplications for seeking forgiveness) is to say:
اَللّهُمَّ أَنْتَ رَبِّيْ لاَ إِلهَ إِلاَّ أَنْتَ، خَلَقْتَنِيْ وَأَنَا عَبْدُكَ، وَأَنَا عَلى عَهْدِكَ وَوَعْدِكَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُ، أَعُوْذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا صَنَعْتُ، أَبُوْءُ لَكَ بِنِعْمَتِكَ عَلَيَّ، وَأَبُوءُ لَكَ بِذَنْبِي، فَاغْفِرْ لِيْ، فَإِنَّهُ لاَ يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوْبَ إِلاَّ أَنْتَ
Allāhumma anta rabbī lā ilāha illā anta, khalaqtanī wa anā ‘abduka, wa anā ‘alā ‘ahdika wa wa’dika mastata’tu, a’ūdhu bika min sharri mā sana‘tu, abū u laka bini’matika ‘alayya, wa abū u laka bidhambī, faghfir lī fa innahū lā yaghfirudh dhunūba illā anta.
(O Allah! You are my lord. There is no god but you. You created me; I am your servant. I will obey your laws and decrees as much as possible.
I take refuge in you from the evil of my deeds. I acknowledge the favors that You have given me and confess my sins. So forgive me. There is none but You who can forgive sins.)
(Sahih Bukhari 6306, 6323)
Click here to read more about Syed ul Istighfar and its benefits.