ASTAGHFAR

The Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali (a.s.) said: “The smell of sins is warded off by the fragrance of repentance. Seeking Allah’s forgiveness (Astaghfar) becomes the cause of enhancement of one’s sustenance.

The Infallible Imam Ali ibnal Husayn (a.s.), Zayn-al-Abedin (a.s.) said: “A person who has the habit of saying

                                               “Astaghfar Allah wa atoobu Ilaih”

will never be proud and conceited.

It is narrated that the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) used to say “Astaghfar” every night, although he was an Infallible and not susceptible to committing any sin. It is a big invocation, whether one has committed any sin or not. Astaghfar is liked by Allah and His Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.).

It is reported by the Infallible Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (a.s.) that when a person commits a sin, he gets a respite of seven hours to repent and seek Allah’s forgiveness by saying the Astaghfar three times. If he does this, then the sin will not be entered in his “Nama-e-A’mal”. The Astaghfar is:

                    “Astaghfarallah allazi la ilah illa howal Hayyul Qayyumu wa atoobu ilaih”

Then the Imam said: “Whoever repeats Astaghfarallah a hundred times in a day, Allah will forgive seven hundred of sins. The Infallible Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (a.s.): “When a Mumin commits forty sins in a day and night, and in repentance recites the following invocation, then Allah will pardon his sins:

         “Astaghfarullah al lazi la ilaha illa huwal Hayyul Qayyumo Badeeus samawate wal arz                 Zuljalale wal Ikrame Waasaalahu an Yusalli ala Muhammadin wa Ale Muhammadin wa           Atoobu Aliyya”

The Infallible Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali (a.s.)' supplication about Astaghfar as stated in “Sahifa-e-Alawiyya”is:

“O Allah! Forgive my wrongdoings which You know inside and out, and if I do them again, then forgive me again. O Allah! Forgive me for not fulfilling those promises I made to myself but did not put them into effect. O Allah! Forgive the mysterious suggestions of the eyes, my bad language, forgetfulness, carelessness, and foolish utterances.”

His other Dua’as seeking pardon and forgiveness are given in Dua’a number 18, 20, 21, and 22.

Similarly, the Infallible Imam Zayn-al-Abedin (a.s.)’s Du’as number 12, 16, 31, 38, and 39 are given in Sahifa-e-Kamila.

Sources used:

Ain al-Hayat                                                                      by Allama Muhammad Baqir Majlisi (r.a.)

Sahifa-e-Alawiyya & Sahifa-e-Kamila