أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ الَّذِي لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ وَأَتُوبُ إِلَيْهِ
I seek forgiveness from Allah, besides Whom there is no god, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer. And I turn to Him in repentance.
Astaghfirullah alladhi la ilaha illa huwal-Hayyul-Qayyum wa atubu ilaih
When to Read
This powerful supplication is recommended to be recited daily, especially after completing acts of worship where one might feel shortcomings. It’s a general expression of reliance on Allah and a recognition of His absolute sovereignty and sustaining power. You can make it a part of your morning and evening remembrances (Adhkar) or recite it whenever you feel the need to reconnect with your Creator and seek His pardon. It's particularly effective after prayers, as the Prophet ﷺ taught us various forms of dhikr and istighfar to say in those moments.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincerity and full presence of heart. Understand the meaning of each word: acknowledging Allah as the only one worthy of worship, the Ever-Living (Hayy) who never dies, and the Self-Sustaining (Qayyum) by whom all existence is maintained. Turn to Him, acknowledging your mistakes and seeking His mercy. It’s best to say it aloud if you are alone, or silently in company, with your hands raised if appropriate for the situation (though not necessarily for this specific dua after every prayer).
Virtues & Benefits
This istighfar is mentioned as a means of having one's sins forgiven, even if they are as numerous as the foam of the sea. The Hadith states: 'Whoever says this, Allah will forgive his sins, even if he had fled from the battlefield.' (Sunan Abi Dawud 5009). This highlights the immense mercy of Allah and the profound effect of sincere repentance, even for major transgressions. It also serves as a constant reminder of our dependence on Allah and His role as our Sustainer, fostering humility and gratitude.
Source & Authentication
Narrated by Thawban: Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, ‘When a man finishes his prayer, and he recites the verses that are before the verse concerning the Throne [Ayat al-Kursi], and the verse of Tawhid [Surah Al-Ikhlas], and the two Surahs concerning His saying: “And from the evil of the dawn-breaker” [Surah Al-Falaq] and “And from the evil of the whispering one” [Surah An-Nas]… then Allah will say to him: “O My slave! Recite it three times, and I shall forgive you whatever is between them (i.e. between the prayer you have performed and the next prayer) and whatever is in your chest (i.e. your sins).” Then he said: ‘And whoever says: *Astaghfirullah alladhi la ilaha illa huwal-Hayyul-Qayyum wa atubu ilaih* (I seek forgiveness from Allah, besides Whom there is no god, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer. And I turn to Him in repentance), Allah will forgive him even if he had fled from the battlefield.’