By: M.K.
As discussed in last
week’s article, seeking forgiveness from The Ever Merciful Allah not only sheds
away our sins but also opens door of His mercy in all aspects of a believer’s
life. In this article, further elaboration will be provided on the types of
benefits one can attain from regular performance of istigfaar in addition to a
brief discussion on the stages of istigfaar.
Istigfaar is mandatory
for all believers as it elevates a believer’s Marefat (recognition) a lot more
compared to other acts of worship. The Holy Prophet (s) has illustrated
achievement of full Marefat by saying, “My Lord! I have not recognized You as
is Your right to be recognized. I have not been able to worship You as was Your
right to be worshipped.”
When a believer becomes
forgetful about istigfaar, his heart darkens by becoming overly polluted. And
the preceding scenario has been referred to as a black heart in narrations.
Imam Muhammad Baqir (a.s) says, “For human hearts, nothing is more harmful than
a sin. When the mirror of heart becomes black because of sins, the blackness
covers the entire soul. Then man tumbles down from his original position and
gets separated from truth.”
Stages of Istigfaar
1. The first stage
constitutes turning away from Kufr (disbelief) and accepting Iman (faith).
Here, a believer comes out of a doubtful state into that of trust as well as
certainty. It can be considered similar to giving up Batil (false) belief
system and accepting Haqq (truth).
2. The second stage
involves the sinner abandoning disobedience and turning towards obedience while
also giving up on opposition.
3. The third stage is where
the believer walks out of the sinful atmosphere, turns to his Lord and
acknowledges duties of his slavery towards Him. The believer busies himself in
constant remembrance of his Lord and opposes injustice, oppression and
unfaithfulness.
In context of the
istigfaar stages, Imam Ali (a.s) says: “A sincere repentant: (1) is ashamed of
his past sins (2) takes up the duties overlooked and fulfills them (3) makes
good the willfully ignored conditions of a trust managed by him (4) forgives
those who provoke him (5) does not demand repayment of loans from those who are
in financial distress (6) makes firm determination not to sin ever again (7)
surrenders his self to the adoration, devotion and service of Allah when it had
swelled to the point of exploding due to inordinate consumption of worldly
pleasures, transgression and disobedience.”
Benefits of Istigfaar
Istigfaar minus its
accompanying benefits to a believer is itself considered a great invocation. A
narration states that the Apostle of Allah, despite being Masoom (innocent) and
not susceptible to committing any sins used to recite istigfaar hundred times
every night. Thus, this act of worship is liked by both the Prophet (s) and
Allah Almighty. Imam Jafar Sadiq (a.s) says, “The more one prays for pardoning
of his sins, the more good deeds will be created in his account and on the Day
of Judgment, his deeds will appear shining.” Performing Istigfaar has
particularly been linked to increasing sustenance amidst other benefits. And
there have been numerous traditions by Ahlul-bayt emphasizing just that. If a
believer is undergoing financial distress, the Prophet (a.s) mentions that, “A
man who is inflicted by poverty and hardship should recite ‘Astegferullah wa
atubu ilaih’ thirty thousand times. The Lord Almighty will surely end his
troubles.” The narrator of this tradition indicates it being a proven
experience. Imam Ali (a.s) says, “The smell of sins is warded off by the
fragrance of repentance. Seeking Allah’s forgiveness (Istigfaar) becomes the
cause of enhancement of one’s substance.”
Istigfaar is a way to
erase pride and adopt humility. Imam Zail-al-Abideen (a.s) says that, “A person
who has the habit of saying, ‘Astegferullah rabbi wa atubu ilai’ will never be
proud and conceited.” Istigfaar is a way to increase a believer’s virtues in
front of Allah Almighty and He loves any believer who seeks forgiveness via
performance of istigfaar. When a believer has committed a sin and turns to
istigfaar, Allah Almighty becomes pleased and says, “My servant committed a sin
and then he came to realize that he has a Lord who holds the sinner responsible
and accountable, and also that He has a Lord who forgives the sins if asked for
forgiveness. So let him be forgiven.”
Special significance has
been placed on the merits of seeking forgiveness in the early morning hours
(before daybreak). The Holy Quran highlights this significance at several
instances. Allah Almighty says in Surah Zariyat, “They used to sleep but little
in the night. And in the morning, they asked forgiveness” (17-18: 51). And Imam
Ali (a.s) narrates Allah Almighty saying that, “Had there not been those who
loved My Might and who filled My Mosques and those worshipped Me for
forgiveness in the early hours of the dawn, I would certainly have chastised
them.”
Sources:
Holy Quran. Chapter 51.
Verses 17-18.
“Invocation.” Duas.org.
Accessed October 12, 2015. http://www.duas.org/Misc/invocation.htm.
“Islam Guidance.”
Sibtayn International Foundation. October 11, 2015. Accessed October 12, 2015.
http://www.sibtayn.com/en/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4060:repeated-repentance-and-istighfar&catid=744&Itemid=503.
Syed, Akramulla.
“Repentance in Islam (Tawbah, Taubah, Tobah), Seeking Forgiveness
(Al-Istighfaar, Istighfar), Allah (SWT), Noble Prophet Muhammad (saw), Noble
Qur’an.” March 30, 2015. Accessed October 12, 2015.
http://www.ezsoftech.com/stories/mis32.asp.
The Stages of Repentance
(Tawba).” Imam Reza (A.S.) Network. Accessed October 12, 2015.
http://www.imamreza.net/eng/imamreza.php?id=7456.
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