Sayyidul Istighfar
The master supplication for seeking forgiveness. Taught by the Prophet, upon him be peace, and promised the reward of Paradise for whoever says it sincerely morning and evening.
Arabic
اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ رَبِّي لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ، خَلَقْتَنِي وَأَنَا عَبْدُكَ، وَأَنَا عَلَىٰ عَهْدِكَ وَوَعْدِكَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُ، أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا صَنَعْتُ، أَبُوءُ لَكَ بِنِعْمَتِكَ عَلَيَّ، وَأَبُوءُ بِذَنْبِي فَاغْفِرْ لِي، فَإِنَّهُ لَا يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ
Transliteration
Allāhumma anta Rabbī, lā ilāha illā anta, khalaqtanī wa anā ‘abduka, wa anā ‘alā ‘ahdika wa wa‘dika ma-staṭa‘tu, a‘ūdhu bika min sharri mā ṣana‘tu, abū’u laka bi-ni‘matika ‘alayya, wa abū’u bi-dhanbī fa-ghfir lī, fa-innahu lā yaghfiru al-dhunūba illā ant.
English translation
O Allah, You are my Lord. There is no god except You. You created me and I am Your servant. I keep 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 no one forgives sins except You.
Whoever says this during the day with firm belief in it and dies before the evening will be from the people of Paradise. And whoever says it at night with firm belief in it and dies before the morning will be from the people of Paradise.
How to make it a daily habit
- Add it to your morning adhkar, once, after Fajr.
- Add it to your evening adhkar, once, after Asr or Maghrib.
- Read it slowly. It is not a race. Understanding each clause is the point.
- Follow with 100 short astaghfirullah if you can.
Frequently asked
How many times should I say Sayyidul Istighfar?
Once in the morning and once in the evening, with presence of heart. That is the reported practice.
What is the difference between astaghfirullah and Sayyidul Istighfar?
Astaghfirullah is the short verbal formula. Sayyidul Istighfar is the longer, complete form: acknowledgment of Allah's lordship, one's servanthood, the covenant, seeking refuge, admitting sin, and asking forgiveness.
Do I need to memorise the Arabic?
Memorising the Arabic is best because that is the form the Prophet taught. Until you memorise it, read from a screen or a printout with sincerity.
Related
Last verified . How we source and cite.