The phrase Astaghfirullah (Arabic: أَسْتَغْفِرُ ٱللّٰهَ) is one of the most beautiful and meaningful expressions in Islam. It translates to “I seek forgiveness from Allah.” This short phrase carries immense spiritual weight, reminding every believer to stay humble, repentant, and connected to their Creator.
Seeking forgiveness (istighfar) is not only a form of remembrance (dhikr) but also a path to purify the heart, cleanse sins, and invite divine mercy.
Literal Meaning and Linguistic Breakdown
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Arabic: أَسْتَغْفِرُ ٱللّٰهَ
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Transliteration: Astaghfirullāh
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Meaning: “I seek forgiveness from Allah.”
The word comes from the root غ-ف-ر (gh-f-r), which means to cover, protect, or forgive. When a Muslim says Astaghfirullah, they’re literally asking Allah to cover their sins and grant pardon.
Allah employs this root in numerous instances throughout the Qur’an. For example:
وَاسْتَغْفِرُوا رَبَّكُمْ إِنَّهُ كَانَ غَفَّارًا
“Seek forgiveness from your Lord; indeed, He is ever Forgiving.”
(Surah Nuh, 71:10)
Different Forms of Astaghfirullah
Muslims use several variations of this phrase in prayer and daily life:
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أَسْتَغْفِرُ ٱللّٰهَ — Astaghfirullāh
→ “I seek Allah’s forgiveness.” -
أَسْتَغْفِرُ ٱللّٰهَ العَظِيمَ — Astaghfirullāh al-‘Azīm
→ “I seek forgiveness from Allah, the Mighty.” -
أَسْتَغْفِرُ ٱللّٰهَ رَبِّي وَأَتُوبُ إِلَيْهِ — Astaghfirullāh rabbī wa atūbu ilayh
→ “I seek forgiveness from my Lord and repent to Him.”
The third form was often used by the Prophet ﷺ, as narrated in Sahih Muslim (Book 35, Hadith 6523):
عَنِ الأَغَرِّ الْمُزَنِيِّ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ: إِنَّهُ لَيُغَانُ عَلَى قَلْبِي، وَإِنِّي لَأَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ فِي الْيَوْمِ أَكْثَرَ مِنْ سَبْعِينَ مَرَّةً
“By Allah, I seek forgiveness from Allah more than seventy times a day.”
Step-by-Step: How to Make Astaghfirullah Sincere
Step 1 — Stop the Wrong Action
True istighfar begins by immediately ceasing the sin. You cannot ask for forgiveness while continuing the wrongdoing.
Step 2 — Feel Genuine Regret
The Prophet ﷺ said:
النَّدَمُ تَوْبَةٌ
“Remorse is repentance.”
(Sunan Ibn Mājah, 4252)
Step 3 — Say Astaghfirullah Consciously
Pronounce it with awareness:
أَسْتَغْفِرُ ٱللّٰهَ رَبِّي وَأَتُوبُ إِلَيْهِ
This joins both seeking forgiveness (istighfar) and turning back (tawbah).
Step 4 — Make a Firm Intention Not to Return
Make a sincere pledge not to repeat the mistake.
Step 5 — Rectify Any Harm to Others
If your sin involved hurting someone, return their rights, seek their pardon, or compensate them.
Step 6 — Follow Up with Good Deeds
Allah says:
إِلَّا مَنْ تَابَ وَآمَنَ وَعَمِلَ عَمَلًا صَالِحًا فَأُولَٰئِكَ يُبَدِّلُ ٱللّٰهُ سَيِّئَاتِهِمْ حَسَنَاتٍ
“Except those who repent, believe, and do righteous deeds — for them Allah will replace their evil deeds with good ones.”
(Surah Al-Furqan, 25:70)
When to Say Astaghfirullah
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After committing any sin or mistake.
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After daily prayers (Salah).
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During the morning and evening adhkar.
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In moments of anger, anxiety, or sadness.
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During Tahajjud and special times, such as Ramadan or Jumu‘ah.
The Prophet ﷺ would regularly seek forgiveness after every prayer, as recorded in Sahih Muslim and Sunan Abu Dawood:
After concluding the prayer, he would say “Astaghfirullah” three times.
Benefits of Saying Astaghfirullah
1. Forgiveness and Mercy
Allah promises forgiveness for those who turn to Him sincerely:
وَمَن يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ
“And who forgives sins except Allah?”
(Surah Aal-Imran, 3:135)
2. Blessings and Provision
Nuh (عليه السلام) told his people:
يُرْسِلِ ٱلسَّمَاءَ عَلَيْكُم مِّدْرَارًا • وَيُمْدِدْكُم بِأَمْوَٰلٍ وَبَنِينَ
“He will send rain upon you in abundance and increase you in wealth and children.”
(Surah Nuh, 71:11-12)
Frequent istighfar brings both spiritual and worldly blessings.
3. Inner Peace
Saying Astaghfirullah cleanses the heart and relieves guilt, bringing serenity and closeness to Allah.
4. Removal of Hardship
The Prophet ﷺ said:
مَن لَزِمَ الاسْتِغْفَارَ جَعَلَ اللَّهُ لَهُ مِن كُلِّ ضِيقٍ مَخْرَجًا
“Whoever regularly seeks forgiveness, Allah will make for him a way out from every difficulty.”
(Sunan Abu Dawood, 1518)
Daily Routines for Istighfar
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After each Salah: say Astaghfirullah 3 times.
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Morning & Evening: repeat Astaghfirullah rabbī wa atūbu ilayh 100 times.
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During Tahajjud: combine istighfar with du‘a, asking Allah for personal forgiveness and strength.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
طُوبَى لِمَن وَجَدَ فِي صَحِيفَتِهِ اسْتِغْفَارًا كَثِيرًا
“Glad tidings to the one who finds much seeking forgiveness in his record.”
(Sunan Ibn Mājah, 3818)
Common Mistakes to Avoid
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Saying Astaghfirullah only with the tongue, not the heart.
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Treating it as a routine word without reflection.
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Continuing a sin while saying it.
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Ignoring people you’ve wronged — true repentance includes mending those ties.
Conclusion
Astaghfirullah is more than a phrase — it’s a complete spiritual attitude. It invites Allah’s mercy, heals the heart, and reminds us that no matter how great the sin, Allah’s forgiveness is greater.
قُلْ يَا عِبَادِيَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَسْرَفُوا عَلَىٰ أَنفُسِهِمْ لَا تَقْنَطُوا مِن رَّحْمَةِ ٱللّٰهِ
“Say, ‘O My servants who have transgressed against themselves, do not despair of the mercy of Allah.’”
(Surah Az-Zumar, 39:53)
Make Astaghfirullah part of your daily dhikr — not just on your tongue, but from the depths of your heart.
