Dua for Forgiveness (Istighfar Dua)

Dua for forgiveness — Sayyidul Istighfar and istighfar dua in Arabic with English meaning

The dua for forgiveness is the dua a Muslim reads to ask Allah to forgive his sins. Forgiveness is called istighfar — to say “Astaghfirullah” and to mean it with the heart. On this page you will find the dua for forgiveness in Arabic with transliteration and English meaning — Sayyidul Istighfar, the short istighfar dua, and duas for forgiveness of all sins from the Quran and hadith.

What Is Istighfar?

Istighfar is to ask Allah for forgiveness. It is not only words — it is to stop the sin, to feel sorry for it, and to decide not to go back to it. Allah loves the one who turns back to Him, and He forgives all sins for the one who repents sincerely.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) would seek forgiveness more than 70 times a day, and in some narrations, 100 times a day — even though all his sins were forgiven. If the Prophet made istighfar that much, we need it far more.

Dua for Forgiveness in Arabic with English Meaning

Sayyidul Istighfar (The Best Dua for Forgiveness)

Arabic:

اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ رَبِّي لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ خَلَقْتَنِي وَأَنَا عَبْدُكَ وَأَنَا عَلَى عَهْدِكَ وَوَعْدِكَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُ أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا صَنَعْتُ أَبُوءُ لَكَ بِنِعْمَتِكَ عَلَيَّ وَأَبُوءُ لَكَ بِذَنْبِي فَاغْفِرْ لِي فَإِنَّهُ لَا يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ

Transliteration:
Allahumma Anta Rabbi, la ilaha illa Anta, khalaqtani wa ana ‘abduka, wa ana ‘ala ‘ahdika wa wa’dika mastata’tu. A’udhu bika min sharri ma sana’tu, aboo’u laka bi ni’matika ‘alayya, wa aboo’u laka bidhanbi, faghfir li, fa innahu la yaghfirudh-dhunuba illa Anta.

English meaning:
“O Allah, You are my Lord, there is no god but You. You created me and I am Your servant, and I am upon Your covenant and Your promise as much as I am able. 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.”

Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari 6306.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) called this the best dua for forgiveness — Sayyidul Istighfar, the master of seeking forgiveness. Whoever reads it in the morning with certainty and dies that day will enter Paradise, and whoever reads it in the evening and dies that night will enter Paradise.

Short Istighfar Dua for Daily Forgiveness

Arabic:

أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ الْعَظِيمَ الَّذِي لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ وَأَتُوبُ إِلَيْهِ

Transliteration:
Astaghfirullāh al-‘Azeem alladhi la ilaha illa Huwal-Hayyul-Qayyum wa atubu ilayh.

English meaning:
“I seek forgiveness from Allah, the Great, besides whom there is no god — He is the Ever-Living, the One who sustains all things — and I turn to Him in repentance.”

Reference: Jami` at-Tirmidhi 3577.

Read this short istighfar dua as your daily dua for forgiveness:

  • After every prayer: read it 3 times after the fard prayer.
  • Morning and evening: the Prophet (peace be upon him) would seek forgiveness many times each day.
  • Before sleeping: read istighfar before you sleep, so the day ends with forgiveness.

Dua of Prophet Yunus (For Forgiveness in Hard Times)

Arabic:

لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ سُبْحَانَكَ إِنِّي كُنْتُ مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ

Transliteration:
La ilaha illa Anta subhanaka inni kuntu minaz-zalimin.

English meaning:
“There is no god but You — glory be to You. Indeed, I was among the wrongdoers.”

Reference: Quran 21:87.

When Prophet Yunus (peace be upon him) was in the belly of the whale, in darkness after darkness, he called on Allah with this dua — and Allah saved him. Read it when you feel far from Allah, or when a problem feels too big to fix.

Dua for Forgiveness of All Sins from the Quran

Arabic:

قُلْ يَا عِبَادِيَ الَّذِينَ أَسْرَفُوا عَلَىٰ أَنْفُسِهِمْ لَا تَقْنَطُوا مِنْ رَحْمَةِ اللَّهِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ جَمِيعًا

Transliteration:
Qul ya ‘ibadiyal-ladhina asrafu ‘ala anfusihim la taqnatu min rahmatillah, innallaha yaghfirudh-dhunuba jami’a.

English meaning:
“Say: O My servants who have gone beyond limits against themselves — do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins.”

Reference: Quran 39:53.

This is the Quran’s greatest promise of hope for the sinner. No sin is too big for Allah’s forgiveness — not even a lifetime of sins — if you turn back to Him.

How to Make Dua for Forgiveness (Steps)

Forgiveness is not a ritual of words. Follow these steps when you make dua for forgiveness:

  1. Stop the sin — decide, here and now, to leave it.
  2. Feel sorry — regret it in your heart, because it disobeyed Allah.
  3. Ask Allah — say the istighfar duas above, with your heart present.
  4. Decide not to return — make a firm intention not to go back to it.
  5. Do a good deed after it — prayer, charity, or helping someone — it wipes the sin away.

Best Times to Make Istighfar

  • In the last third of the night — Allah descends to the lowest heaven and asks: who seeks My forgiveness?
  • After every prayer — the Prophet (peace be upon him) would say “Astaghfirullah” three times after the fard prayer.
  • On Fridays — the blessed day, and the hour before Maghrib is answered.
  • In Ramadan — the month of forgiveness, especially in the last ten nights.
  • While fasting — the dua of a fasting person is answered.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best dua for forgiveness?

Sayyidul Istighfar (Sahih al-Bukhari 6306) is the best dua for forgiveness. Read it morning and evening — the Prophet (peace be upon him) promised Paradise for the one who reads it with certainty and dies that day or night.

How do I ask Allah for forgiveness of all sins?

Stop the sin, feel sorry for it, and say the dua for forgiveness with a sincere heart — “Astaghfirullah” 100 times a day if you can. Allah says in the Quran (39:53): “Do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins.”

What is the dua for forgiveness of major sins?

Major sins are forgiven by sincere repentance — there is no sin Allah will not forgive for the one who repents. Read Sayyidul Istighfar and the dua from Quran 39:53, and do good deeds after the sin.

How many times should I read Astaghfirullah daily?

The Prophet (peace be upon him) would seek forgiveness more than 70 times a day. Read the short istighfar dua 100 times a day if you can — after prayers, morning and evening, and before sleeping.

Can I make dua for forgiveness in English?

Yes. Istighfar is best learned in Arabic, but Allah accepts dua in every language. Read it in English until you memorize the Arabic.

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