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Sayyid al-Istighfar (Master of Forgiveness)

The most comprehensive dua for seeking Allah's forgiveness

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اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ رَبِّي لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ، خَلَقْتَنِي وَأَنَا عَبْدُكَ، وَأَنَا عَلَىٰ 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
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, abu'u laka bini'matika 'alayya, wa abu'u laka bidhanbi faghfir li fa innahu la yaghfirudh-dhunuba illa anta.
"O Allah, You are my Lord, none has the right to be worshipped except You. You created me and I am Your servant and I abide by Your covenant and promise as best I can. I take refuge in You from the evil of which I have committed. I acknowledge Your favor upon me and I acknowledge my sin, so forgive me, for verily none can forgive sin except You."
Hadith (Bukhari)

Meaning & Context

Sayyid al-Istighfar, or the 'Master Supplication for Forgiveness,' was declared by the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) as the best way to seek forgiveness from Allah. It is a comprehensive admission of Allah's lordship, a recognition of our status as His servants, and a sincere acknowledgment of both His blessings and our own sins. It combines humility, praise, and a heartfelt plea for mercy, making it the most powerful formula for repentance.

Benefits of Reciting this Dua

  • The Prophet (ﷺ) stated that whoever says it with firm faith during the day and dies before evening will be among the people of Paradise.
  • Similarly, whoever says it with firm faith during the night and dies before morning will also be among the people of Paradise.
  • It is a complete renewal of one's covenant with Allah.
  • Regular recitation purifies the heart and washes away sins.

Frequently Asked Questions

It is called the master (Sayyid) because its wording is the most superior and comprehensive. It gathers all the essential meanings of repentance and submission in one powerful supplication.

The hadith specifically mentions reciting it in the morning (after Fajr) and in the evening (after Asr or Maghrib) to gain its immense reward.

Quick Quiz

Question: What is the great reward for reciting Sayyid al-Istighfar with firm faith?