Seeking forgiveness: the solution to many of our problems

So seek forgiveness for yourself and others who have rights upon you.

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Shaikh al-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah رحمه الله said:

❝Al-Istighfaar (seeking Allaah’s forgiveness) removes the slave from doing things which are disliked (by Allaah) towards doing things which are loved (by Allaah); and from actions which are deficient towards actions which are (more) complete; and it raises the slave from the lower status to a status higher than it and more perfect.❞

[Majmoo` al-Fataawa (11/696)]

Further, he رحمه الله said:

❝For Tawheed removes the essence of Shirk and al-Istighfaar erases its branches. Therefore the most lofty and concise Praise is saying: لا اله الا الله (Laa ilaaha illallaah) and the most concise du`aa is saying: أستغفر الله (astaghfiru-llaah).❞

[Majmoo` al-Fataawa (11/697)]

[TN: The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:

❝The best remembrance is: لا اله الا الله (Laa ilaaha illallaah) and the best supplication is: الحمد لله (al-Hamdulillaah).❞

[Sunan al-Tirmidhee (3383) and Sunan Ibn Maajah (3800) from the Hadeeth of Jaabir رضي الله عنه and graded as “Hasan” by Shaikh al-Albaanee]

Du`aa are of two types:

1. Du`aa for seeking/asking (دعاء المسألة)

2. Du`aa for worship (دعاء العبادة)

1. Du`aa for seeking: asking Allaah for forgiveness, guidance, and that which will benefit in this world and the Hereafter. Similarly, asking Allaah to remove the difficulties, and to ward off that which will cause harm in this world and the Hereafter.

2. Du`aa for worship: worshiping Allaah by praising Him, thanking Him, fearing Him, loving Him, hoping for His mercy, putting one’s trust in Him, praying, fasting, doing Hajj, reading Qur’aan, doing the Adhkaar etc.]

And he رحمه الله further said:

❝Al-Tawbah (repentance) is from the most superior  forms of good deeds; and all the good deeds are based on two conditions – al-Ikhlaas (sincerity) for Allaah and submission to His Commands by following (the Sunnah of) His Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم.

Al-Istighfaar (seeking forgiveness) is from the greatest of good deeds and its door is (extensively) wide. So whoever has shortcomings (in his `Ibaadah) – in his speech or actions, or his situation (becomes constricted), or his sustenance (has decreased), or that his heart has become unsettled – then he should turn towards Tawheed (i.e. worship Allaah with sincerity) and do (lots of) Istighfaar. In them there is cure for him if he is truthful and sincere.

Similarly, if a person finds himself falling short in fulfilling the rights of his kith and kin, his wife, his children, his neighbors, and his brothers, then he should supplicate for their forgiveness.❞

[Majmoo` al-Fataawa (11/698)]