Power of Astaghfar (Asking forgiveness from Allah ST)

Assalamualaikum Wr Wb. brothers and sisters

First of all, I have good news for you MaShaAllah you are chosen by Almighty Allah that is the reason you are looking for this very powerful asset "Astaghfaar"

First, we will discuss what is  Astaghfar (Forgiveness) ‎/ أستغفر

Astaghfar means Repenting & Seeking forgiveness from Allah for the sins so far committed and turning back to Allah. Astaghfaar is so simple to recite that a muslim can recite anywhere anytime and it is so powerful that it can wipe away the sins even if they are so huge like mountains or like the foam of the sea . 

There are many different duas for Astaghfar (InShaAllah i will share in next article) but it is also have great significance of saying only "Astghfirullah" or "Astaghfirullahal Azeem" 

👉One of the names of Allah is Al-Ghaffaar means the one who forgives repeatedly. He who continually forgives and does not stop forgiving those who come to him.

👉And other blessed name of Allah is Al Ghafoor which points to His nature of forgiveness, the quality and not quantity. He forgives the smallest of sins to the largest.

💕Allah has created us weak and we are likely to make mistakes and transgress(break the Islamic laws). At the same time, Allah promised us His forgiveness. Indeed, Allah is most forgiving and merciful. 

👉Asking forgiveness is not confined to only when we think we know we committed a sin. You can ask for forgiveness without knowing the things you have done wrong. The Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W), the man who Jannah is guaranteed, asked forgiveness of Allah seventy to a hundred times a day. 

(Sahih Bukhari Volume 8, Book 75, Number 39) 

Al Ghafoor points to his nature of forgiveness, the quality and not quantity. He forgives the smallest of sins to the largest. We are not born in sin, but we are born in weakness. We are prostrate to fall prey to the many fascinations that are part of our test in this life. And when we fall in these provocations and commit sins it takes us far away from our Lord. But there is hope for those who want to seek forgiveness from Almighty Allah and the best is by doing Astighfar. The one who does Astighfar and admits his weakness to Allah becomes nearer to Him. May Allah gives us the strength to seek forgiveness of our sins that we did and also give us the strength to do righteous deeds, Ameen!

There are few major benefits of Astaghfar mentioned in the Holy Quran:

1. It opens the doors of mercy.

The Quran says, “Ask forgiveness of your Lord. Indeed, He is ever a Perpetual Forgiver.”[Quran 71:10]

2. It will give you wealth and children.

The Quran says, “And give you increase in wealth and children.” [Quran, 71:12]

3. A Believer’s Dua gets accepted. 

4. Astagfar provides sustenance. 

The Quran says, “Seek forgiveness of your Lord and repent to Him, [and] He will let you enjoy a good provision for a specified term and give every doer of favour his favour” [Quran, 11:3]

5. A Muslim is not punished while they seek forgiveness. 

The Quran says, “And Allah would not punish them while they seek forgiveness ” [Quran, 8:33]

6. Allah will send the rain of mercy. 

The Quran says, “He will send [rain from] the sky upon you in [continuing] showers.” [Quran, 71:11]

7. Adding strength to our lives. 

The Quran says, “. . . ask forgiveness of your Lord and then repent to Him. He will send [rain from] the sky upon you in showers and increase you in strength [added] to your strength.” [Quran 11:52]

8.  Allah will provide you with gardens and rivers. 

The Quran says, “. . . and provide for you gardens and provide for you rivers.” [Quran, 71:12]

Few examples from Al-Quran where Allah promised his Forgiveness

👉And seek forgiveness from Allah. Indeed, Allah is ever Forgiving and Merciful.
Surah An-Nisa 4:106

👉And whoever does a wrong or wrongs himself but then seeks forgiveness of Allah will find Allah Forgiving and Merciful.
Surah An-Nisa 4:110

👉Allah is Ar-Rahman, the Most Compassionate, and Ar-Raheem, the Most Merciful. He loves that we ask Him for forgiveness and He has promised to forgive.

👉Say, “O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful.” And return [in repentance] to your Lord and submit to Him before the punishment comes upon you; then you will not be helped.
Surah Az-Zumar 39:53-54

Few examples from Sahih Hadiths:

💓Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah’s Apostle salallahu alaihi wasallam said, “Our Lord, the Blessed, the Superior, comes every night down on the nearest Heaven to us when the last third of the night remains, saying: “Is there anyone to invoke Me, so that I may respond to invocation? Is there anyone to ask Me, so that I may grant him his request? Is there anyone seeking My forgiveness, so that I may forgive him?”
Sahih Al-Bukhari – Book 21 Hadith 246

💓Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah’s Apostle said, “When Allah created the creations, He wrote with Him on His Throne: "My Mercy has preceded My Anger.”
Sahih Al-Bukhari – Book 93 Hadith 545

💓Narrated by Abdullah ibn Umar, The Prophet salallahu alaihi wasallam said: “Allah, the Lord of honour and glory, will accept the repentance of His servant till his death-rattle begins.”
Al-Tirmidhi – Hadith 18

💓Narrated by Abu Huraira: I heard Mohammad  salallahu alaihi wasallam saying.” By Allah! I ask for forgiveness from Allah and turn to Him in repentance more than seventy times a day.”

Sahih Al-Bukhari – Book 75 Hadith 319

💓......He (Muhammad Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) replied: You should say:, I beg forgiveness from Allah, I beg forgiveness from Allah.”
Sahih Muslim – Book 4 Hadith 1226

💕 If you want to live a life without depression, stress, and sadness then it is better to take time to make “Astaghfar” in excess so that Allah Almighty forgive you for your sins and InShaAllah you will feel good.

Astaghfar is a ticket to Heaven (Paradise) Allah has promised and guaranteed a place in heaven (paradise) for His servants who always do Astighfar. 

Let us take time every day to reflect on ourselves and seek Allah’s forgiveness with utmost sincerity and earnestly. 

May Allah help us all to stay on the right path, forgive us and grant us taufeeq to repent when we falter.

JazakAllah Khair