أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ الَّذِي لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ وَأَتُوبُ إِلَيْهِ
I seek forgiveness from Allah, the One Whom there is no god but He, the Ever-Living, the Self-Sustaining. And I turn to Him in repentance.
Astaghfirullahal-ladhi la ilaha illa Huwal-Hayyul-Qayyum wa atubu ilaih
When to Read
This powerful invocation is best recited as the day draws to a close, ideally after the Maghrib prayer or as you settle in for the evening. It's a beautiful way to account for the day's actions and seek cleansing before nightfall.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincerity and presence of heart. Understand the meaning of seeking forgiveness and turning back to Allah. Repeat it three times for maximum benefit, as mentioned in the context of this hadith.
Virtues & Benefits
This is a profound supplication for seeking forgiveness and repentance. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ mentioned that whoever says this three times a day, Allah will forgive his sins even if they were as abundant as the foam of the sea. (Sunan Abi Dawud 1552). It’s a spiritual reset, acknowledging our human fallibility and reaffirming our reliance on Allah's boundless mercy.
Source & Authentication
Narrated by Thawban (may Allah be pleased with him): The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: 'When a man finishes his prayer, while sitting in his place, he says: 'Astaghfirullahal-ladhi la ilaha illa Huwal-Hayyul-Qayyum wa atubu ilaih' (I seek forgiveness from Allah, the One Whom there is no god but He, the Ever-Living, the Self-Sustaining. And I turn to Him in repentance) – three times. And the narrator added: 'If he says this, it is forgiven for him, even if he had gone from his army like the foam of the sea.' (Sunan Abi Dawud 1552).