أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللهَ الَّذِي لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ وَأَتُوبُ إِلَيْهِ
I seek forgiveness from Allah, besides Whom there is no god, the Ever-Living, the Self-Sustaining, and I turn to Him in repentance.
Astaghfirullāhalladhī lā ilāha illā Huwa al-Ḥayyu al-Qayyūmu wa atūbu ilayhi
When to Read
This powerful supplication is best recited as evening descends, marking the end of the day's activities and a chance to reflect. It's an excellent addition to your evening remembrance (adhkar), a moment to pause before sleep and entrust your day's deeds, both the good and the ones that fell short, to Allah's infinite mercy.
How to Read
Recite this sincerely with a humbled heart, acknowledging your dependence on Allah. Utter the words clearly, focusing on the meaning of seeking forgiveness and turning back to your Creator. It's a personal plea, so ensure you're in a state of presence, even if you're simply reciting it after Maghrib or before settling down for the night.
Virtues & Benefits
Seeking forgiveness is a cornerstone of our relationship with Allah. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ informed us about the immense benefits of this specific dua. In a narration, he ﷺ said: 'Whoever says this supplication [referring to the one above] during the day while firmly believing in it and dies before the evening, he will be among the people of Paradise. And whoever says it during the night while firmly believing in it and dies before the morning, he will be among the people of Paradise.' (Sunan At-Tirmidhi 3577). This shows the profound weight Allah places on sincere repentance and the seeking of His forgiveness, even for the shortcomings that may seem small to us.
Source & Authentication
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'There is no servant who says during the day: Astaghfirullah alladhi la ilaha illa Huwa al-Hayyul Qayyum wa atubu ilaih, except that his sins will be forgiven even if they were as numerous as the foam of the sea.' (Sunan Abi Dawud 5009). Another narration states: 'Whoever says: Astaghfirullah alladhi la ilaha illa Huwa al-Hayyul Qayyum wa atubu ilaih, he will be forgiven even if he had fled from the battlefield.' (Sunan At-Tirmidhi 3577). The wording in Tirmidhi is: 'Whoever says: Astaghfirullah alladhi la ilaha illa Huwa al-Hayyul Qayyum wa atubu ilaih, and he is upon that, except that Allah will open the door of repentance for him, even if he had retreated from the battlefield.'