The Greatest Invocation for Forgiveness
Allah the Most High, Said, “Every soul will taste death…” [ Al-Anbiya (21): 35]
The inevitable reality of death is greater than life itself, for life is something uncertain – one
may plan for the future, yet know not whether he will live long enough in order to achieve his
hopes and ambitions – for the arrival of the Angel of Death may precede those very hopes. The
prudent one understands this great reality and prepares for its eventuality. A untold number of
humanity have passed through the stages of death, and current generations will be replaced by
future generations.
“The best of believers are those with best manners. And the smartest are those who remember
death often, and the astute are those who readily prepare it. Those are the smartest.” [Silsilat
as-Sahihah, 1384]
Some of the scholars used to say, “Those who often remember death, Allah honours them
with three: Their repentance is expedited; Their heart is given satisfaction and; Their worship is
energised. And those who forget to remember death are afflicted with three: Their repentance
is postponed; Their contentment is stripped and; Their worship is neglected.
Therefore one of the finest aids in remembering and preparing for death is seeking forgiveness
for one’s sins and shortcomings. Allah The Most High Said, “Say, ‘O My servants who have
transgressed against themselves, do not despair of the Mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives
all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful.'” [Al-Zumar (39): 53]
In the noble Prophetic guidance, the Messenger of Allah (saw) said the leading du’a (invocation)
by which forgiveness should be sought is called ‘Sayyid Al-Istighfār’. It is composed of special
words with profound meanings, which the Prophet keenly taught his ‘Ummah. He (saw) said,
‘Whoever reads it during the day with firm faith in it and dies on the same day before the evening,
he will be from the people of Paradise. And whoever reads it at night with firm faith in it and dies
before the morning, he will be from the people of Paradise.” [Al-Bukhari, 6306]
Before you dear reader is a small contemporary work explaining the immense benefits of
‘Sayyid Al-Istighfar’. It should be memorised by every Muslim and its meanings understood
and internalised for heightened impact and gain. The author (may Allah bless him) breaks
down the du’a, elucidating its beautiful composition correctly, and explaining the meaning
of repentance, its importance and Allah’s Love for those who turn to Him in true repentance.
Beseeching Allah for forgiveness is amongst the greatest means in getting close to Him and
attaining His Pleasure in this world and the Hereafter.
