From the benefits of Tawheed and al-Istighfaar:

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

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]

Shaikh al-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah 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)]

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.