Tauba Istighfar

Istighfaar

Muslims are required to seek Istighfaar often and repeat it with the tongue and heart.
The Holy Prophet said,
“Whoever says, "Astaghfirul-laahal- lathee laa ilaaha illaa Huwal-Hayyul- Qayyoomu wa atoobu ilayh. ''
I seek the forgiveness of Allah, the only true God, the Ever Living, Who sustains all that exists, and I repent to Him.Then his sins will be forgiven, even if he had run away from the battle.”
So, Allah does not only forgive small sins and errors by Istighfaar, but lie also forgives major sins, such as running away
evil, remember Allah and ask forgiveness for their sins and none ean forgive sins but Allah and do not persist in what wrong they have done, while they know’.” (3:135)
Conditions of Valid Istighfaar
There are several conditions for honest Istighfaar so that Allah forgives the sin.
First, one has to stop making the mistake and avoid the sin that he is asking Allah to forgive. Next, one should be intent on not repeating the sin, because Allah has promised that lie will forgive those who want His forgiveness, if they do not continue committing the mistake. Otherwise, Istighfaar will be just a game if one insists on committing the same errors over and over again. Allah said,
“..and do not persist in what they have done.” (3:135)
This is in reference to those who do not insist on doing the wrong they have done. Instead, they admit that they have committed an error and seek Allah’s forgiveness for it. Abdullah bin ‘Abbaas
praying,
‘Subhaanaka Rabbanaa wa bi- hamdika, Allaahum-maghfirlee.’
I exalt You, our Lord, above all unsuitable things aseribed to You, and all the praises are for You. O Allah! Forgive me.”’
In another Hadeeth from the Prophet said,
Subhaanak-Allaahumma Rabbanaa wa-bihamdika Allaahum-maghfirlee
"I honor You, O Allah, from all unsuitable things ascribed to You. O Our Lord! And all the praises are for You. O Allah! Forgive me.”
The Holy Prophet used to say this Du‘aa’ while making Rukoo‘ and Sujood.
whenever the Messenger of Allah finished the prayer, he would make Istighfaar saying Astaghfirul-laah three times. He would then say,
“Allaahumma Antas-Salaam, wa minkas-salaam, tabaarakta yaa Thal-Jalaali wal-Ikraam.
"You are As-Salaam, and from You comes the peace. Blessed are You, O Owner of grace and generosity.”
Hadith
Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) said, “One says, Astaghfirullah,"
It is the best Istighfaar during the day and by night
Shaddaad bin Aws said that the Holy Prophet (PBUH) said
“The best of all Istighfaar is for the worshipper to say, ‘Allaahumma Anta Rabbee, laa ilaaha illaa Anta, khalaqtanee, wa anaa ‘abduk, wa anaa ‘alaa ‘ahdika wa wa‘dika masta-ta‘tu. A‘oothu bika min sharri maa sana‘t. Aboo’u laka bi-ni‘matika ‘alayya, wa aboo’u bi-thanbee, faghfir lee, fa-innahu laa yaghfiruth- thunooba illaa Anta.’
" Allah! You are my Lord, there is no deity worthy of worship exeept You. You Alone created me, and I am Your slave, and I intend to fulfil Your
Covenant, as much as I can, so that I receive Your Promise (forgiveness and Paradise). I seek refuge with You from the evil that I have done. I admit to You Your Favor on me, and I admit the evil deeds that I have committed. So forgive me my sins, for indeed, there is none besides You who can forgive sins".
The person who says these words during the day, with sincerity, and dies during that day before he reaches the night, will be among the people of Paradise. He who says these words during the night, with sincerity, and dies before he reaches the day, will be among the people of Paradise.”
This Hadeeth contains several good statements: declaring Allah’s Oneness, that He created everything, that He took the promise from His slaves to worship Him Alone, hoping in what He has promised, seeking His protection against the evil results of one’s mistakes, saying that all favors come from Him Alone, admitting the sins that one has committed, asking for His forgiveness and stating that only Allah can forgive sins. This is why the Holy Prophet called this Hadeeth the best of all Istighfaar.
There is a good reward from Allah for the person who says Istighfaar on the day of Jumidah (Friday).
Hadith
Abu Hurairah said that the Messenger of Allah(PBUH) said,
“There is an hour during Friday,” (and the Holy Prophet (PBUH) made a gesture with his hand to show how short that hour is,) “that if any Muslim seeks Allah’s goodness (says Istighfaar) while standing in prayer, then Allah will bestow upon him.”
y) Istighfaar in the last parts of the night
There is a special virtue for saying Istighfaar in the last part of the night.
Allah says in Surah Al-Imran 15-17
“For Al-Muttaqoon (the pious) there are Gardens (Paradise) with their Lord, underneath which rivers flow. Therein (is their) eternal (home) and Azwaajun Mutahharatun (purified mates or wives). And Allah will be pleased with them. And Allah is All-Seer of the slaves. Those who say: ‘Our Lord! We have indeed believed, so forgive us our sins and
save us from the punishment of the Fire.’ (They are) those who are patient, those who are true (in Faith, words, and deeds), and obedient with sincere devotion in worship to Allah. Those who spend (give the Zakaat and alms in the way of Allah) and those who pray and beg Allah’s Pardon in the last hours of the night.”
The last hours of the night end at the time of dawn.
Hazrat Ali bin Abi Taalib (R.A)was once brought an animal to ride and when he placed his foot on the saddle, he said, “Bismillaah (in the Name of Allah) mentioning Allah’s Name. When he rode on the animal he said,
"Al-hamdu- lillaahil-lathee sakhkhara lanaa haathaa wa maa kunnaa lahu muqrineen, wa innaa ilaa Rabbinaa la-munqaliboon."
"Glory to Him Who has subjected this to us, and we could never have it by our efforts, and indeed to Our Lord we are to return!”
He then said, “Allaahu Akbar (Allah is the Greatest),” three times. Then he said, “Al-hamdulillaah (all praise is for Allah),” three times. Then he said, “Laa ilaaha illaa Anta subhaanak, innee dhhalamtu nafsee, faghfirlee thunoobee, innahu laa yaghfirudh-dhunooba illaa Anta (There is none worthy of worship except You;
all praise is to You. I have wronged myself, so forgive me my sins. Surely, only You forgive sins.” He said, “One day, the Prophet said the same words then laughed. I asked him, ‘What makes you laugh?’ He said,
“Our Lord, the Exalted and Most Honored, becomes amazed when His servant says, ‘All praise is due to You! I have committed wrong against my own self, so forgive me my sins. Surely, only You forgive sins.’ Allah says, ‘My slave knew that he has a Lord Who forgives sins.’”
Istighfaar after leaving the bathroom
When the Holy Prophet(PBUH)  finished using the  bathroom, he used to say, ‘Ghufracmak (asking Allah’s forgiveness).’
The Prophet asked Allah to forgive him after he finished using the bathroom to indicate that people do not perfectly thank Allah for the favors that he has given them. Allah’s favors include the various types of foods and drinks. Allah made it easy for us to eat the food, digest it and get rid of whatever harmful substances remain afterwards in our bodies.
It was also reported that the Holy Prophet(PBUH) asked Allah to forgive him after using the bathroom because he used to remember Allah always with his tongue and heart, except for the times he spent in the bathroom. The Prophet thought this was a shortcoming, so he asked Allah to forgive him, to make up for not remembering Him during the short time he spent in the bathroom.
Hadith
Abdullah bin Sarjis said, “I went to the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and ate from his food. Then I said, ‘May Allah forgive you, O Messenger of Allah.’ He said, ‘And you too.’” Someone asked Abdullah, “Did the Prophet ask Allah to forgive you?” He said, “Yes, and for you too,” and he recited this Verse,
“And ask forgiveness for your sin, and also for believing men and believing women.” (47:19)
Abu Hurairah said that the Messenger of Allah said,
“Whoever sits in a gathering where people talked too much and says before leaving that meeting,
‘Subhaanak-Allaahumma wa bi- hamdik, ash-hadu an laa ilaaha illaa Anta, astaghfiruka wa atoobu ilaik
(Glory be unto You, O Allah, and all praises are for You. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except You, I ask for Your forgiveness and repent to You)’, he will be forgiven for whatever has been said in that gathering.”
If this is how important Istighfaar is, we should then say it many times, just as our beloved Prophet m used to do. The Prophet m often asked Allah to forgive him, even though Allah had forgiven him for all the mistakes he made, in the past and future. Shouldn’t we supplicate to Allah to forgive us, especially when we remember our mistakes and that we are not perfect in fulfilling Allah’s Rights on us? We ask Allah to forgive us, you and all other Muslims for all our mistakes and errors. Surely, Allah is the Most Forgiving and He accepts repentance from those who turn to Him in repentance.