By: M.K.
Istighfaar refers to seeking forgiveness
from Allah Almighty for sins committed. When we repent, we are giving up our
sins and this repentance expresses our regret for sins committed in the best
way. Holy Quran says, “Turn to Allah, O believers, that you may be successful”
(24:31). It is a common practice among believers to feel hopeless after a
sinful act has been committed. However, regardless of the grievous extent of
any sin, Allah Almighty’s mercy surpasses in greatness as found in the Holy
Quran, “Say, O My servants who have transgressed against themselves, do not
despair of the mercy of Allah, verily, Allah forgives all sins. Verily, He is
the Forgiving, the Merciful (39:53). The key to repentance is both sincerity as
well as privacy. As Imam Ali (a.s) has said, “…Your secret is your prisoner,
which if let loose it will make you its prisoner.” To add, Apostle of Allah
Almighty once said to Imam Ali (a.s), “O Ali, blessed is one whom Allah looks
upon while one is weeping for a sin that none is aware of except Allah.”
More etiquettes of repentance have been
highlighted by Imam Mohammad Taqi Al Jawad (a.s), “Tawba (repentance) depends
upon four things: sincere regrets, verbal ‘istighfaar,’ deeds and determination
to never repeat the sin.” Allah Almighty loves a servant who performs
sincerity-filled repentance, such that the sin committed will not be considered
as having ever been committed. Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (a.s) says, “He who
repents of his sins is as one who has not any burden of sin.” Many
supplications of seeking forgiveness have been taught to us by Ahlul-bayt and
some of these include the Whispered Prayers, Dua-e-Kumayl and supplications of
Amir al-mu’minin. For instance, in a sermon, Imam Ali (a.s.) said, “O My God!
Forgive me what Thou knowest about me more than I do. If I return (to the sins)
Thou return to forgiveness. My God forgive me that with what I sought nearness
to Thee with my tongue but my heart opposed and did not perform it. My God
forgive me winkings of the eye, vile utterances, desires of the heat and errors
of speech.”
Isighfaar is additionally beneficial such
that it rids us of our problems by cleansing us off our sins. It has been
narrated from Ibn Abbas that once when he was in Imam Ali’s (a.s) company, a
man had come and said, “Mawla, I have transgressed much.” To this, the Imam
(a.s.) advised him of istegfaar. Then another man came asking, “Mawla, my land
has become arid and parched, what shall I do?” The Imam (a.s) again advised of
istigfaar. A few moments later, another man came complaining of being struck by
poverty, “Nothing I do bears fruit. Is there any remedy?” Imam (a.s) advised of
istigfaar. Following this, yet another man came and said, “Mawla, Allah has not
yet blessed me with a child, what should I do?” And just like all others, this
man was also advised of istigfaar. Ibn Abbas then says that he asked the Imam
(a.s), “O Amirul Muminin, though the problems were different, but to each of
them you advised to pray istigfaar.” The Imam (a.s.) answered, “Because Allah
says in surah Nuh of Holy Quran: And I said, Ask forgiveness from your Lord;
Verily, He is Oft-Forgiving; He will send rain to you in abundance; And give
you increase in wealth and children, and bestow on you gardens and bestow on
you rivers” (71:10-12).
Sources:
“Dua’a for Seeking Forgiveness.” Dua’a for
Seeking Forgiveness. Accessed October 5, 2015.
http://www.duas.org/seekforg.htm.
“Forgiveness in Islam.” Al-Islam.org.
Accessed October 5, 2015.
http://www.al-islam.org/articles/forgiveness-islam-arifa-hudda.
“Repentance and Forgiveness.” All About
Shias. December 31, 2014. Accessed October 5, 2015.
http://allaboutshias.com/repentance-and-forgiveness/.
“Sermon 78: My God, Forgive Me …”
Al-Islam.org. Accessed October 5, 2015.
http://www.al-islam.org/nahjul-balagha-part-1-sermons/sermon-78-my-god-forgive-me.
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