About Seeking Forgiveness:
Narrated Abdullah ibn Umar:
We counted that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) would say a hundred times during a meeting: “My Lord, forgive me and pardon me; Thou art the Pardoning and forgiving One.”
Sahih (Al-Albani)
Sunan Abi Dawud 1516
The supplication the Prophet ﷺ recited:
رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي وَتُبْ عَلَىَّ إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِيمُ
Rabbighfirli wa tub alayya innaka Antat-Tawwabur-Rahim
My Lord, forgive me and pardon me; Thou art the Pardoning and forgiving One.
Repentance is the key to success in this life and the hereafter. It is pride, arrogance, and ignorance which prevents a person from succeeding.
“And turn to Allah in repentance, all of you, O believers, that you might succeed.” (24:31)
Abdullah ibn Mas’ud reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said,
“The one who completely repented of sin is like one without sin.”
Hasan (fair) according to Al-Albani
Sunan Ibn Mājah 4250
There are many narrations that discuss how frequently the Prophet engaged in istighfar (seeking forgiveness), and this is a man who Jannah is guaranteed. But as a leader, he (ﷺ) led by example, showing us the path to success. He asked for forgiveness repeatedly throughout the day and night.
“Except for those who repent, believe and do righteous work. For them Allah will replace their evil deeds with good. And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful.” (Qur’an 25:70)
From The Story of Adam (AS):
For reasons best known to Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala, Adam (as) fell victim to Iblees’s games. He disobeyed Allah’s command,
“and Adam and his wife ate of it, and their private parts became apparent to them, and they began to fasten over themselves from the leaves of Paradise. And Adam disobeyed his Lord and erred” (20:120).
One reason for this error in judgment could be part of Allah’s plan to show us how we should behave when we falter in our actions.
What Adam (as) did next was honorable. He took immediate ownership of his action and regretted it. He made the following supplication:
رَبَّنَا ظَلَمْنَا أَنْفُسَنَا وَإِنْ لَمْ تَغْفِرْ لَنَا وَتَرْحَمْنَا لَنَكُونَنَّ مِنَ الْخَاسِرِينَ
Rabbanaa zalamnaaa anfusanaa wa-in lam taghfir lanaa wa tarhamnaa lanakoonanna minal khaasireen
Our Lord, we have wronged ourselves, and if You do not forgive us and have mercy upon us, we will surely be among the losers. 7:23
Being able to admit your faults and harbor guilt is a beautiful sign of your belief and dedication to Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ). It is a sign of your imaan (faith). It is no secret we will make many mistakes, but as long we don’t lose faith in Allah and continue to repent to Him, we have a chance to receive His Mercy and improve.
“Allah wants to accept your repentance” (4:27)
