You’re stressed. Bills piling up. Relationships strained. Doors closing everywhere you turn. You make dua. You pray. You ask people for advice. You scroll through self-help content looking for solutions.
But there’s a phrase—three simple Arabic words—that the Prophet ﷺ used 100 times every single day. A phrase Allah promised would solve your problems, open your sustenance, and remove your anxiety.
And you barely say it.
The Prophet Who Was Already Forgiven
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was guaranteed Paradise. His past and future sins were forgiven by Allah. He was sinless. He had no reason to seek forgiveness.
Yet Agharr Al-Muzani reported in Sahih Muslim (2702): The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Sometimes I perceive a veil over my heart, and I supplicate Allah for forgiveness a hundred times in a day.”
One hundred times. Every single day. The man who spoke directly to Allah. Who ascended to the heavens. Who was promised Jannah. Still sought forgiveness 100 times daily.
And you? You who sin constantly—lying, backbiting, wasting time, neglecting prayers, hurting people—how many times do you say “Astaghfirullah”?
Once when you realize you sinned badly? Maybe a few times during prayer? Or have you completely forgotten this miracle tool Allah gave you?
What Allah Promises to Those Who Seek Forgiveness
Abdullah ibn Abbas reported: The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Whoever frequently makes istighfar, Allah will grant him relief from every worry, a way out from every hardship, and provide for him from sources he never imagined.”
Read that again. Three promises from Allah—not from a self-help guru, not from a motivational speaker—from Allah, the Creator of everything, in exchange for seeking His forgiveness:
Relief from every worry. Every single anxiety eating at you—gone. The stress keeping you up at night—lifted. The fear crushing your chest—removed. Through istighfar.
A way out from every hardship. That impossible situation you’re trapped in? That door that won’t open no matter what you try? That problem with no visible solution? Allah will create a way out. Not through your planning—through His mercy, activated by your istighfar.
Sustenance from unexpected sources. Money you never expected. Opportunities that shouldn’t have come to you. Blessings from directions you didn’t even know existed. Because you kept seeking forgiveness.
The Story That Should Change Your Life
Prophet Nuh called his people to Islam for 950 years. They rejected him. Mocked him. Refused to listen.
Finally, he told them in Surah Nuh (71:10-12):
“Ask forgiveness from your Lord. Indeed, He is ever a Perpetual Forgiver. He will send rain from the sky upon you in showers and give you increase in wealth and children and provide for you gardens and provide for you rivers.”
Notice the formula: Seek Allah’s forgiveness → Everything else follows.
Rain (blessings). Wealth. Children. Gardens (provision). Rivers (abundant resources). All connected to istighfar.
The scholars explain: When you constantly seek forgiveness, you acknowledge your dependence on Allah. You humble yourself before Him. You admit you need Him. And He, being Al-Ghaffar (The Great Forgiver) and Al-Kareem (The Most Generous), responds by opening every door.
What Istighfar Actually Does
It cleanses your soul. Every sin creates a black spot on your heart. The Prophet ﷺ said sins accumulate until the heart becomes completely covered. Istighfar removes those stains. It polishes your heart. Makes it receptive to guidance again.
It attracts divine mercy. Allah says in Surah Al-Hijr (15:49): “Declare unto My slaves, that truly, I am the Oft-Forgiving, the Most Merciful.” When you seek forgiveness, you’re approaching Al-Ghaffur (The Forgiving). And when you approach Him through the door He loves—repentance—He pours His mercy upon you.
It prevents sins. Regular istighfar makes you conscious of Allah constantly. Before committing a sin, you’ll remember: “I just asked Allah to forgive me. How can I sin again right away?” It creates a protective barrier.
It opens closed doors. Career stuck? Proposal rejected? Visa denied? Dua unanswered? The scholars say: istighfar is the master key. When nothing else works, constant seeking of forgiveness unlocks what seemed permanently locked.
It removes anxiety and depression. Modern psychology confirms what Islam taught 1400 years ago: acknowledging mistakes and seeking forgiveness reduces stress. But while psychology stops at human forgiveness, Islam takes you to the One whose forgiveness actually matters—Allah.
It brings barakah to your time, wealth, and health. Things that should take hours get done in minutes. Money that should barely cover expenses somehow stretches. Health that should deteriorate somehow improves. Barakah—the unexplainable blessing that multiplies everything—comes through istighfar.
How to Do It Properly
Say it with presence. Don’t just mumble “astaghfirullah” mechanically while scrolling your phone. Stop. Focus. Say it with your heart: “O Allah, I seek Your forgiveness. Forgive me for every sin—known and unknown. Seen and unseen. Forgive me.”
Say it frequently. The Prophet’s minimum was 70 times daily. Aim for 100. It takes less than 5 minutes. You spend hours on social media but claim you don’t have 5 minutes for istighfar?
Say it after sins immediately. The moment you realize you sinned—lied, looked at haram, spoke harshly—immediately say “Astaghfirullah.” Don’t let sins accumulate. Erase them instantly through seeking forgiveness.
Say it in different formulas. The simple “Astaghfirullah” works. But also use the Prophet’s comprehensive formula:
“Allahumma anta Rabbi, la ilaha illa anta, khalaqtani wa ana abduka, wa ana ala ahdika wa wadika mastata’tu, audhu bika min sharri ma sana’tu, abu’u laka bini’matika alayya, wa abu’u bidhanbi faghfirli, fa innahu la yaghfiru 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 am as faithful to my covenant as I can be. I seek refuge in You from the evil of what I have done. I acknowledge Your blessings upon me, and I acknowledge my sins. Forgive me, for no one forgives sins except You.)
Say it in prosperity and hardship. Don’t only seek forgiveness when you’re desperate. Make it your constant state. In happiness and sadness. In wealth and poverty. In health and sickness.
What’s Stopping You?
“I’m too busy.” You have time to scroll for hours but not 5 minutes for istighfar? You’re not busy—you’re choosing distractions over solutions.
“I don’t feel anything when I say it.” Feelings follow action. Start saying it consistently. The spiritual effects will come. Don’t wait to “feel ready.” Start now.
“I’ve sinned too much.” That’s exactly why you need istighfar more. Allah’s mercy is infinite. No matter how many sins—He can forgive all of them. But you have to ask.
“I don’t see immediate results.” Istighfar works, but on Allah’s timeline, not yours. Sometimes relief comes instantly. Sometimes it takes time. But it always comes to those who persist.
Start Right Now
Put this article down and say “Astaghfirullah” 100 times. Right now. It will take 5 minutes maximum.
Count on your fingers. Or use prayer beads. Or download a digital tasbih counter. Just start saying it.
While you say it, reflect on your sins. Everything you did wrong today. Yesterday. This week. This year. Your entire life. And genuinely ask Allah to forgive you.
Then make it a habit. Every morning after Fajr—100 times. Every night before sleep—100 times. After every prayer—33 times. Throughout your day—whenever you remember.
Watch your life transform. Watch doors open. Watch provision come from unexpected places. Watch anxiety lift. Watch problems solve themselves.
Not through magic—through Allah’s mercy, activated by your sincere seeking of His forgiveness.
The miracle solution was always there. Three words. Unlimited power. You were just too distracted to use it.
Stop being distracted. Start seeking forgiveness. And watch Allah demonstrate why He calls Himself Al-Ghaffar—The Great Forgiver who forgives again and again and never tires of your repentance.
Say it now: Astaghfirullah. Astaghfirullah. Astaghfirullah.
Keep going until you reach 100.
This might be the most important 5 minutes of your life.
Disclaimer: This article is provided for general educational and informational purposes only. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy in presenting Islamic teachings from authentic Quranic verses, hadith collections, and scholarly interpretations, readers are advised to consult qualified Islamic scholars for specific religious rulings and detailed interpretations. The content reflects understanding drawn from classical and contemporary Islamic scholarship regarding istighfar and its benefits.