Zina, or unlawful sexual relations outside of marriage, is one of the gravest sins in Islam. Therefore, if one has committed Zina, it is essential to immediately make sincere Tawba (repentance) and seek forgiveness. In this article, we will explore dua for forgiveness after any sin including zina, and then talk about Tawba and its conditions.
What is the Dua for forgiveness of Zina?
1. Short simple dua for forgiveness
أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللهَ * Astaghfirullāh
(I ask for forgiveness from Allah.)
2. Dua for guaranteed forgiveness from any sin
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)
You can also read Sayidul Istighfar after committing any sin, or just as a regular practice.
Visit here to explore more duas and supplications for forgiveness.
The Three Essential Conditions of Tawba
Seeking forgiveness after committing a big sin (Kabira) is called tawba (repentance).
There are three conditions for a tawba to get forgiven for any big sin.
1. Sincere Regret for the Sin
The first and foremost condition of tawba is having genuine remorse for committing the sin. Without feeling deep sorrow for disobeying Allah, the repentance lacks sincerity.
2. Immediate Cessation of the Sin
The second condition is that the individual must immediately stop the sinful act. Continuing with the sin while asking for forgiveness shows a lack of sincerity. A person who commits zina and seeks forgiveness should completely distance themselves from the sin, as repentance will not be accepted if the wrongdoing continues.
3. Firm Resolution to Never Return to the Sin
Repentance should include a strong determination to avoid the sin in the future. If a person asks for forgiveness but plans to return to the sin, their tawba is not genuine.
Allah’s Promise of Forgiveness
No matter how serious the sin of zina is, Allah is always ready to forgive those who sincerely repent. In the Quran, Allah says:
“And those who, when they commit an immorality or wrong themselves, remember Allah and seek forgiveness for their sins—and who can forgive sins except Allah?—and [who] do not persist in what they have done while they know.”
(Surah Aal-e-Imran, 3:135)