Muslims prostrate during Friday Prayer at the Islamic Center of Tucson. (Amer Taleb)
By Ezadeen Naji
Many Muslims these days are unaware of the benefits of making “Estighfar”, an Arabic term that refers to seeking Allah’s Forgiveness. The Quran states frequently and clearly that if you want to:
- Enjoy your life
“(3)And (commanding you): “Seek the forgiveness of your Lord, and turn to Him in repentance, that He may grant you good enjoyment, for a term appointed, and bestow His abounding Grace to every owner of grace..” (Hud 11:3)
- Have strength and health
“(52)And O my people! Ask forgiveness of your Lord and then repent to Him, He will send you (from the sky) abundant rain, and add strength to your strength, so do not turn away as Mujrimûn (criminals, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allâh).” (Hud 11:52)
- Be safe from the punishment of Allah
“(33)And Allah would not punish them while you (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) are amongst them, nor will He punish them while they seek (Allah’s) Forgiveness” (Al-Anfal 8:33)
- Be wealthy, have children and more
“(10) I said (to them): Ask forgiveness from your Lord; Verily, He is Oft-Forgiving;(11) He will send rain to you in abundance(12) And give you increase in wealth and children, and bestow on you gardens and bestow on you rivers.” (Nuh, 71:10-12)
We don’t have the Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him with us any more, but we do have his Sunna (life examples) and we can still seek Allah’s Forgiveness. Therefore, don’t delay in repeating these words: Astaghfiru Allah (استغفر الله) as you read this article, as you drive your car, as you chat on Facebook, as long as you can breathe.
As narrated in Sahih Al-Bukhari, the Prophet peace be upon him said that he seeks Allah’s Forgiveness and repents to Him more than 70 times a day! If the Prophet peace be upon him did that much of Estighfar, how much do we need?