ISTIGHFAR – SEEKING FORGIVENESS IN RAMADAN

Bismillah hir Rahman nir Raheem

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

I wish to take this opportunity to wish everyone Ramadan Mubarak and remind us it is a special occasion for us to focus on self-reflection and improving our relationship with Almighty Allah. Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him) said, ‘’When the month of Ramadan begins, the Gates of Heaven are opened and the Gates of Hell are closed, and the devils are chained.’’ Which of us is void of sins and errors? We are all prone as we are human, but this is a special opportunity for us Muslims in Ramadan to do some powerful supplication and strengthen one’s relationship with Almighty Allah through abundant prayer, reciting Quran, fasting, and seeking Allah’s forgiveness.

A simple dua we must make a habit of saying is ‘Astagfirullah’, which means ‘I seek forgiveness in Allah.’ Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him) used to say this dua at least 100 times a day, and we should strive to do the same as it is a Sunnah or practice of our Prophet (peace be on him). By doing so, especially in Ramadan, Almighty Allah answers our duas, He relieves us from stress and anxiety, we gain a closer bond with Our Lord and we are given an opportunity for Almighty Allah to erase our sins, once we are sincere in repenting from our hearts. It is said that acts of worship and kindness in Ramadan are multiplied up to 700 times in rewards from Almighty Allah!

So my dear friends, do not waste this opportunity to seek forgiveness, whatever sins we have committed.  If we make it a habit of saying ‘Astaghfirullah’ on a daily basis, it will help us to refrain from further committing sins and guide us to make better decisions, knowing that Almighty Allah is everywhere, He knows everything, so we will be more mindful of our actions and strive to do good deeds to earn His rewards.

In a Hadith narrated by Abu Dawd, Ibn Abbas said: The Prophet (peace be on him) said, ‘’If anyone constantly seeks pardon (from Allah), Allah will appoint for him a way out from every distress and a relief from every anxiety, and will provide sustenance for him where he expect not.’’

Another reminder is that we must forgive ourselves as part of the process of healing, because we all make mistakes, but Almighty Allah loves us so much He is ready to forgive us and accept our repentance once we turn to Him with sincerity. Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him) said ‘’ Whosoever Glorifies Allah and Praises Him 100 times a day by saying ‘Subhan Allahi wa bihamdihi’, his sins will be obliterated even if they were equal to the foam of the sea.’’

So perform the Tasbih of Astaghfaar now! In one minute, you can say ‘Astaghfirullah’ 100 times! The doors of Repentance are open my friends so do not delay! Tomorrow is uncertain so act today!